News and Notes on Former Dukes
We’re a bit worn out of discussing conference realignment at the moment, at least until there’s new news of some sort. That could come tomorrow or August or December or next year for all we know so at least for today we’re moving on.
Wish we had something more to discuss regarding a new contract for Matt Brady. All there is to say. Pay the man. Please.
But we do have a few cool notes on former Dukes athletes who have continued there athletic careers. Please add to these in the comments if you know of others.
First, football alum Scott Noble has gone onto to what appears to be a rather promising MMA career. Enjoy:
WBB’s Tamera Young recently re-upped her deal with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky and will look to build on last season’s milestone of becoming only the sixth Sky player to hit the 1000 point mark for her career.
Mike Caussin was re-signed by the Buffalo Bills this summer where he’ll join Arthur Moats again this year. #dontcrosstheMoats Let’s Go Buf-fa-lo! Caussin has been troubled by injuries, but it would be damn cool to see two Dukes contributing on the same roster and hopefully things will finally take off for him.
As you probably know, with the NFL draft rapidly approaching, we’re likely to be back with full Earl Watford coverage soon, but he’s been one of the real “climbers” on draft boards. We’ve seen projections as high as 2nd round and as low as Undrafted Free Agent, but somewhere near the 4th round seems safe to bet for FCS’s finest Guard prospect.
Lots of Diamond Dukes scattered around the minors this spring so keep your eyes peeled if you’re in one of these outposts or they come to town. (this list is certainly not complete) OF Rich Thompson is with the Durham Bulls. Manager Lorenzo Bundy is managing the amazing Albuquerque Isotopes, a personal favorite of JMUSB and the Dodgers AAA team that includes Dee Gordon, Scott Van Slyke, Jesus Flores, and Tony Gwynn Jr. for the time being. C Jake Lowery is plying his trade with the Carolina Mudcats.
Finally, always fun to keep an eye on former soccer stars CJ Sapong (MLS Sporting Kansas City) and Christina Julien, who is currently playing in Europe and is frequently in Canada’s national side (becoming a legit and hated USWNT rival by the way). She’s also a pretty funny follow @juliencm21 if you like your sports with a huge Canadian slant, eh.
-LAX alum Kelly Berger is the youngest head coach in NCAA history (UMBC).
-Football alum Mike Jenkins has become a perennial front-runner in the MET-RX World’s Strongest Man competition. (Broadcast on ESPN and ESPN 2)
-Football alum Justin Rascati has been named the Quarterbacks coach at Weber State.
-Softball alum Megan Smith was named the first Head Softball coach at Tuscarora HS in Leesburg, VA. She is also currently the director of Hitting at Diamond Sports Training.
-Former JMU coach Phil Ratliff has been named Offensive Line coach at UNC-Charlotte. UNCC will be starting football in 2013 as an FCS independent.
-Former JMU OC Jeff Durden has been named OC at UT-Chattanooga.
I think this blog entry puts to rest the whole, “we should only sponsor three mens sports” discussion.
John DeFilippo – qb at Jmu 96-01. Quarterback coach for Oakland Raiders.
Good point MRD2012….We should cut the band and use the money to bring back wrestling and archery.
KIDDING. We should bring back wrestling and archery, though. Title IX is a cancer.
I agree with conference change but JMU is at the minimum number of mens sports. It has to have 7 mens and 7 womens or 6 mens and 9 womens sports to be in agreement with NCAA rules. So guys as much as the three main sports
help with money and recruiting. We have to have 6! And I am glad, there are a lot of other sports and if we have to have all these womens sports because of title 9 then at least the men get 6 sports.
Anybody have anything on Akeem Jordan’s future? Currently a UFA after his seasons in Philly