A Decade to Remember in JMU Sports

So Todd and I had this grand plan to do a complete sport by sport retrospective for the decade. That obviously isn’t going to happen. We’re new at this and didn’t realize that such project would require, well, lots and lots of work. Lesson learned. I’m pretty sure it would have been AWESOME though. We’ll make it up to you with an epic wrap up of the next decade in 10 years. Write it down.

Anyway, we thought we’d take a quick look back and think about some of the highlights, lowlights, and other memories that stood out from the decade that was in JMU sports.

Biggest Disappointment

Let’s get this one out of the way early. For me this one is pretty obvious, the men’s hoops team took a huge step back the past decade. This very well may go down as the lost decade for JMU basketball. What was it, like 8 straight losing seasons? Several years where the football team had more wins than the hoops team? Pretty pathetic. I don’t want to take anything away from the players, but it’s fair to say we had some coaches not live up to expectations. Luckily, Coach Brady and the team appear to have the program on the right track and ready to compete again in the CAA. We look forward to writing about multiple CAA championships and March Madness runs in the 1o years.

Todd’s take: Seriously, my annual day off work for the piligrimage to Richmond to play in the UPS Truck for the conference tourney has just been disastrous.  Groundhog day:  Go to Deta’s place, roll to Penny Lane, a few pints, and off to join the crowd (if 358 is a crowd) to watch the Dukes take on Northeastern of Ga. State or some other boring opponent on play-in day.  Not sure we’ve scored more than 60 in a tourney game this decade.  Icchhh.  This is the year!

Best Memory

There were lots of big wins, accomplishments, and accolades to choose from fortunately. The one that stands out for us though has got to be the football team’s 2004 National Championship. Winning 3 straight games on the road to get to Chatanooga, including a semi-final win over in-state rival William & Mary, and then knocking off traditional power, Montana, was epic. Seeing the way the school, alumni, and community got behind the team was even better. Sell outs at Bridgeforth. Viewing parties at bars with hundreds of alums. Tailgating. Justin Rascati and the 2004 Dukes Championship team really kick started it all and helped build the enthusiasm that is still building today.

Todd’s Take: No doubt this is the one.  Here’s my progression during the ’04 playoff run: Wrangling with Summer’s to turn one of their old-school satellite dishes for the Lehigh game.  Moving up to a semi-official viewing party at Rhodeside for Furman (complete with the fight song and table diving on the winning score).  A fantastic trip to Williamsburg for the semi.  And finally, renting an RV and driving all night to Chatty for the best day of tailgating I can ever recall.

Best Game

While the Championship victory against Montana was sweet, the 2008 win against App State was one for the ages. Todd and I went back to the ‘Burg to meet up with literally about 80 of our friends. It was a great game on it’s own, but to see the shock and amazement on our friends faces who had no idea what the JMU gameday experience was all about, was something I’ll never forget. The national buzz leading up to the game, the tailgating, Scotty’s return, the comeback win. It was classic.

Favorite Athlete

For me, it’s got to be Rodney Landers. Although, the 2008 Dukes weren’t able to bring home another championship, I got more enjoyment from watching Landers play than I did from any other individual. The countless breathtaking runs, the late game heroics, and the landslide victories were all tough to beat.

Kick in the Groin

The fumble. Enough said about that.

Todd’s take: Also honorable mention to the selection morons for the Youngstown St. draw.

Alright, clearly my mind is all about football today. That’s probably because Coach Matthews, his players, and the JMU athletic department grew the program by leaps and bounds over the past decade. Looking back that’s the thing that stands out about the decade in JMU sports. JMU went from a place where students graduated having never attended a game, to a school that consistently sells out homegames, has a tremendous gameday atmosphere and home field advantage, and is now a school where football home games are highlights of the students’ social calendars.  Quite  a transformation.

Todd’s take: Also glad to see the return to prominence from the Field Hockey program.  National Champs back in the day had taken a backseat for awhile, but Coach Lucas (Pete Carroll of FH?) has the program building back to juggernaut status these days.

Hats off to all of JMU’s coaches, student athletes, and fans. Happy New Year Everyone!