Field Hockey Tailgate Breakdown

This post may not be for everyone, but if you love JMU for more than fall Saturdays or maybe just need a refresher on perspective the way we did after the Akron game, we’d encourage you to give it a quick read. As long-time readers (there are at least a few of you out there; maybe even some who aren’t related to us) know, of all the non-football, non-men’s or women’s hoops programs, we tend to give a disproportionate amount of love to the Field Hockey team. Through a series of coincidences largely based on where are season tickets were located in Old Bridgeforth we got to know Head Coach Antoinette Lucas back before we even started this little project.  Once we learned she was actually the best athlete in Harrisonburg of any age, was really into endurance racing, and enjoyed hustling the football coaches on the golf course, we knew we’d struck gold in the friend department.

Oh yeah, Coach Lucas was an Olympian, and was in this unreal ad for Virginia Tourism!

We’ve learned quite a few things from Coach Lucas – most importantly what a family those in the athletics department in a small college town become and just how seriously these coaches take their jobs and careers despite how cavalier some of us on the outside looking in occasionally act about the “Olympic” or “non-revenue” sports and/or the job security we feel is deserved by those in the bigger name sports.

Unfortunately, other than some general “we’re getting better” or “we’re a little banged up right now” type things, one thing we never learned was hardly anything about Field Hockey. We promised Coach L we’d make a game, but never delivered, largely because we were lazy and life (and Dukes football) got in the way. We finally got our chance this weekend and it was an incredibly good time that we highly recommend to current students and alums alike.  In our case, we only even made it to a road game at American near our homes, so the purple crowd was even sparser than we imagine it may be in the ‘Burg, but I’m delighted to report we’d do it again in a heartbeat (and are already making plans for one of their two games over Homecoming weekend). Rob’s kids prevented him from making the trip, but our good friend Rich (CoachPriz) made the trip with me. First of all, NOBODY tailgates better than the Field Hockey parents!  As soon as we pulled in, a couple of them were already strolling down to the field with full purple solo cups despite any teetotaling Patriot League rules – now that’s what we’re talking about. (all names are withheld to save parents from getting called out by their daughters for hanging out with those stupid old alumni guys). And even better, we can’t imagine a more welcoming, fun, passionate group of JMU fans anywhere, though we’re betting similar things take place at softball, baseball, lax, soccer, etc. all the time.  Thankfully we brought a JMU tent and it’s attendant shade, so at some time or another most all of them came by to say hi.  A few of them plied us with food and drink and a few others stayed with us on the sidelines and let us ask stupid questions about the game in rapid succession. Many of them asked us whether we were actually gainfully employed JMU grads and if they could hope for the same for their kids.  But seriously, students: fire up your livers and head over to the Field Hockey complex across from Festival and these people will make it well worth your while.  And alumni: if you’re in town for the weekend and get to attend a soccer or hockey or softball game sometime, it will really remind you of all the things you loved about JMU even before all the glitz and glammer of New Bridgeforth and NCAA tourney runs.

I’m still not sure we learned too much about the game..  We learned the whistle blows a lot.  Like all the time.  And most of the time the action happens too fast to know why unless you know what you’re looking for, which we clearly didn’t.  With full credit to Rich, we also learned when good things happen, you get an insertion, when bad things happen they get a stroke, and people yell “stick it in” and “too high.”  In a lot of ways, it’s a micro version of senior year really.  (hope those same wonderful parents don’t hate us for that one now).

In the end the Dukes fell 2-1 to Columbia on a controversial call (just not JMU’s weekend with the officials) against our stud goalkeeper despite outshooting the Lions 20-8 and mostly dominating the second half. It certainly appeared to our very untrained eyes that Sam Smiertka, Dana Allaband, and Adrienne Le Vatte all had solid performances and we’re pretty sure Taylor Bailey scored the goal, continuing her early scoring surge this season. No one called for anyone’s heads or screamed at individual players. And in the end, our friends on the coaching staff were left miserable and facing a long, hot ride back out of the city.  Oh yeah, a few of the parents and supporters seemed to like the streamers we brought from our football tailgates for the goal we did get to celebrate and hopefully that can continue for FH too! Thanks to everyone who welcomed us and made Sunday a day that truly reminded us why we’re all so lucky to be Dukes!  See you in November.