Doesn’t that headline just make you all warm and tipsy?!Ok, or for some of us it may be more of a kick in the ass to spend time with the fam while we still can, but no denying the fact that in just over four weeks football is back (UNC/USC in 31 days and JMU in BFS two days later!).
That said, we’ve still got plenty of time to address serious topics like CAA previews and discovering how to properly mock Stony Brook and Albany. We’re also going to be gauging Dukes fans’ expectations for the upcoming season (with 24 playoff slots and a hugely diluted playoff field it’s pretty clear what MM’s responsibility is if he wants to keep his job when JMU moves up – wait, was that the whole season in a nutshell? Oops).
Time to invest in the ‘Burg?
But first, obviously, we’ve got to gauge Dukes fans’ interest in the two of us buying out Dave’s Taverna?! As many of you know, Dave’s closed its doors a couple of weeks ago. Scuttlebutt is that the actual Dave’s personal financial difficulties ultimately cost this institution its iconic status and dealt a blow to Downtown’s resurgence. So Rob and I got to talking over a couple of Starr Hill Grateful Pale’s (because damn it, it’s still July and Octoberfest/Pumpkin beers should NOT be here yet) and we joked about starting a Kickstarter project for JMUSB to buy Dave’s! Of course, first we need to do a little market research. Please complete the following survey:
1) Do you support the awesome idea of JMUSB taking over Dave’s?
2) Do you have any information whatsoever regarding whether Dave’s is actually for sale or was the space just leased? (Preferably in some kind of bankruptcy special or something)
3) Would you agree to support changing the name back to Gus’s? If not, would you agree to support subsidizing the beer purchases of those who do support this through an old-guy beer special throwback night where you pay the difference?
4) We can keep gyros, seasoned fries, and spanikopita and pretty much get rid of everything else on the new menu, right?
5) We can pay whatever bribe money is required to the Harrisonburg councilmembers to allow for more freedom on the roof (we can also call it the roof, not the “terratsa”), right?
Thanks so much for your time and attention in this survey! Also, I’m pretty sure we can mock Stony Brook and Albany just by saying “it’s Stony Brook and Albany?,” right?!
TONS of actual news today, and it’s even “fairly decent” news! (My opinion is nothing can truly be considered unconditionally good news till we hear JMU’s future conference plans one way or another, but this really was a good day).
Today was Media Day for CAA Football at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and so we were already looking forward to having something besides ping pong to write about in late July and reporting on the preseason selections for All-CAA and the predicted order of finish from the media, but we never dreamed the day would turn into such an explosion of news.
Fan Confidence personified
First from Baltimore, we learned that JMU Senior LB Stephon Robertson was selected as the preseason Defensive POY in the CAA. Not surprising, but obviously great news. Junior DB Dean Marlowe and PK Cameron Starke were the other Dukes selected to the preseason All-CAA team. Towson RB Terrence West was chosen as the Offensive POY favorite, which also explains why Dae’Quan Scott wasn’t selected if you were wondering. Overall, the Dukes were picked to finish fifth this year, though they did strangely receive more first-place votes than anyone other than the preseason favorite Villanova. We actually like the Dukes being picked here better than all the hype last year and hopefully playing with a chip on their shoulder and an OC with actual freedom to call a game not from the 1950’s.
But during Media Day, even better news broke courtesy of the Daily News-Record’s intrepid @MatthewStoss. Long story short: ODU and new program and fellow CUSA member Charlotte had planned a home and home series over the next two seasons beginning this year in Norfolk. A little while ago, ODU pulled out of the 2014 return trip to Charlotte. Then this morning Charlotte returned the favor and pulled out of this year’s game. ODU was pissed, but it worked out for JMU as Charlotte simply traded the entire series. They’ll be in Harrisonburg this September on what had been one of JMU’s two open dates and the Dukes will head to Charlotte in 2014. Very pleasant little series any way you look at it. Side note, this is a rare year where an extra weekend happens between Labor Day and Thanksgiving so FCS had long ago announced teams were allowed to schedule 12 games instead of the usual 11. Most teams did so quickly, looking to add a payday game against a bigger school or a resume-padding game for playoff contenders. I know it’s hard to believe, but JMU simply stood pat, presumably monitoring the situation and hoping for a deux et machina to magically transport them back to 2004. So to say this news was welcome is an understatement but let’s not go falling all over ourselves with praise as who knows why it took until late July. Also, the truth is the Niners seemed most interested in avoiding the thrashing they believed they were bound to get from ODU and clearly thought a visit to the ‘Burg was less risky to their morale. Charlotte is fielding its first team this year and JMU should roll but it’s a much more appealing matchup (now and in the future?) than games like CCSU or STFU. And the best part? The game is a free addition to the season ticket program and another warm-weather September day in the ‘Burg!
Smoke?? Pipedream??
Finally we’d be remiss if we didn’t also cite a couple of NEW items from DNR Sports Editor Chris Simmons’ piece today (though admittedly Simmons is not known for the fact-checking or reliable sourcing we’re used to from Stoss and Selig). Simmons reported two items we haven’t heard before. First, that CUSA officials recently made a visit to JMU. Second, that at least the draft of the Carr consulting study on a possible FBS move have been reported to the Board of Visitors. We still can’t make the leap that this actually means anything, but when you add it to the Andy Katz piece and CAA Commish Tom Yeager’s deseparte rant at Media Day (what he actually said was “a shot across the bow” of an unnamed member) about the dangers of FBS, it’s not hard to imagine there’s news leaking out, possibly intentionally. For my fellow lunatics, I’ll probably expand on this in full conspiracy-theory style next week, but the CUSA visit, if accurate, is at least something.
Oh yeah, four other items we love from a good sports news day: DC United may finally have a stadium deal, the US Men’s National Team appears to have been replaced by a cold-blooded German Terminator that scores when it feels like it, JMU Field Hockey plays an actual game in only four weeks (we hope to have our annual preview with Coach Lucas soon), and the workers in the Convo have torn up the old floor (can’t wait to see the new one – wonder if it will say “CAA?”)
Last week we all found out that three of the five CAA Football games to be nationally broadcast on NBCSN would feature JMU. Yesterday the full list of games to be shown on NBC Sports Regional Networks. It’s more good news for JMU fans. Three more JMU games are scheduled to be shown. Fans will be able to tune in and watch JMU on the road against Delaware on September 28, and then watch the Dukes take on Villanova and Stony Brook on November 2 and November 16 respectively. The list of all 13 CAA games to be shown regionally is available here.
With this announcement, we now know that 7 of JMU’s 11 scheduled games will be televised. The game at Akron will be available for streaming via ESPN360 and the first two home games (and all other home games) against Central Connecticut State and St. Francis will be on Madizone for free (thanks Alumni Association!). With all games being shown on NBCSN or the various NBC Sports Regional Networks being simulcast on CAA.tv, Dukes fans coast to coast will be able to watch JMU in 10 of its 11 contests this season. The game at William & Mary is the only one that won’t be easily viewable. Thankfully, per William & Mary tradition fans will be able to follow along as the Williamsburg Town Crier provides updates on Gloucester Street at the conclusion of each quarter though. Fewer than 40 days until football season folks.
Still nothing to report or bitch about on the “future of JMU Athletics” front so we’ll roundup a few random notes from Dukes current and past.
Former Lacrosse standout Kelly Berger (’07) helped Team USA win gold and its seventh FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup today. The team blew out Brooke McKenzie’s (’06) Canada squad in the final 19-5. Current lax player Ali Curwin netted 15 goals playing for Israel on their way to an 8th place finish. Congrats to all the Dukes in action at the tourney!
On the golf course, JMU alum Jay Woodson lapped the field in winning the State Open of Virginia over the weekend. Woodson’s also been a solid competitor on this season’s Big Break Mexico, the Golf Channel’s reality show. The conclusion has yet to air. Also a cool note that he beat the UR golf coach to win the event this weekend.
Lastly, former Volleyball player Danielle Erb won the fan voting to be the next face of Hawaiian Tropic, in no small part thanks to JMU Nation. Now it’s on to “other criteria” which unfortunately smells as fishy as a Capital One mascot challenge.
Good Luck Danielle!
If this roundup didn’t get you fired up, just remember that in less than a month we’ll have actual JMU sports up and running again!
Three of the five CAA games in the national NBCSN package this fall will feature the Dukes! (Of course picture on JMU Sports’ announcement only highlights the fact ODU will be nationally televised damned near every game). And the Akron game to open the season will be available nationally on ESPN3, which is also good news because it will make viewing parties for the opener, and a second FBS upset, a great possibility throughout JMU Nation. The other good news, at least for season ticket holders, is that two of the three NBCSN games are away, including the game at New Hampshire, which has frequently been an important game saddled with near tv/web blackout. The big game at Towson will also be televised, but we’re hoping to renew what used to be a good DC-alumni tradition by making the quick trip to the CAA’s only other truly pro-tailgate venue! (pro-tip: Towson usually allows charcoal grills with a call-ahead permit)
Also, tough for us to be upset with this schedule in any way given that JMU had the most NBCSN appearances of anyone in the CAA despite entering the season unranked and completely unknown after another mediocre year while teams like Towson, Villanova, and Stony Brook will be trendy picks nationally for big things this year.
Lastly, the Richmond game Columbus Day weekend will be Bridgeforth’s only chance to shine on the national stage (personal note I kind of love this because Columbus Day is frequent no-show for me based on other obligations and it’s nice to know I should be able to catch that game wherever that weekend takes me).
As we’ve seen the last couple of years, it’s also likely at least two or three more games will be picked up regionally in addition to the national broadcasts. For those that aren’t picked up, we are more than a little skeptical that “CAA.TV” will be picking up the others for “out of market” audiences as opposed to the high quality MadiZone productions we saw last year. (But really, why would anyone doubt that the CAA is ahead of the curve on anything?!) Finally, the crappy, no-good, rotten games against CCSU and St. Francis early in the season will at least likely be MadiZone productions because no matter how big of a fan you are, it’s nearly impossible to justify attending BOTH of those stinkers. (one would be fine, but the second is painful).
Yesterday Matthew Stoss broke the news that Abdul Bangura had transferred from Mississippi to JMU. Bangura is a cornerback who originally went to Ole Miss as a preferred walk-on, but earned a partial scholarship once he got there. He will have three years of eligibility left for the Dukes and can play right away.
Bangura is listed as 5’10 and 176 pounds and has good speed. In addition to playing both offense and defense in football, he ran track in high school and posted a personal best 10.67 in the 100 yard dash. He wanted to transfer to a FCS program so he could play immediately, and chose JMU over Towson among others. His older brother, Dauda also played for JMU in the early 2000’s. If you’re the type of person who likes to watch high school kids run around cones on a football field, you can see Abdul’s highlights from the JMU football camp he attended in 2009.
This is a welcome development for JMU. The team lacks depth in the defensive secondary, since dismissal of Corey Davis and Xavier Crocker. Ideally, he’ll follow the blueprint that Titus Till set last season. Till transferred to JMU from Maryland, another FBS program (sort of) and immediately made an impact on the field. Bangura has good, and possibly even great speed. He also prides himself on his cover skills and willingness to play physical. The CAA has a number of top quality receivers, including guys like William & Mary’s Tre Mcbride and Richmond’s Shane Savage and Ben Edwards, who should cause trouble for defenses. Dean Marlowe is a stud who’ll anchor the Dukes backfield from the safety position, but JMU needs more guys who can cover. Bangura could fit the bill.
Update: According to Twitter, Dave’s is closed. According to a comment below, it’s only temporary. If you have any additional details, please share in the comments below. It’s official. See the comments below.
If the rumors are true, Dave’s Taverna called last call for good Sunday night. Details are few, but it’s well known that the establishment had filed for bankruptcy and had been struggling for a while now. It’s unfortunately also pretty much accepted that the management had taken on a less than customer friendly approach to business the past few years. Which is a shame because in it’s heyday (or ancient times) when we were students, it was just about the perfect college dive. Cheap beer, good food, and a shall we say liberal ID policy, made it a go-to spot practically any night of the week. read more…
The last great one remaining from the VT game.
First, some no strings-attached good news on this mid-summer weekend. As expected, JMU Senior Linebacker Stephon Robertson was announced as part of the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award given annually to the best defensive player at the FCS level. He finished 8th overall and was second among underclassmen last year so his inclusion on the watch list was anticipated and he’ll have a great shot this year. Though we’re guessing NFL scouts will agree with us that he truly a rare talent at this level, his success may be tied to the team’s performance more than most. This award seems to go to one of two categories. Either a player who racks up insane stats in a weak conference or a the best defensive player on one of the very top teams. An unranked Dukes team from the CAA makes landing in either of those categories difficult, but if anyone can do it, we’d bet on Robertson! (and of course we hope that means JMU will surprise everyone this year and rocket up the polls)
Second, we’ve been quieter than usual on angst-producing posts the last month or so. Mostly due to alternating vacations and summer malaise, but also because we’re trying to stay calm on the realignment issues (and personally I’m trying, and mostly failing, to gain a little of Rob’s more mature perspective on these things). That said, when a fairly well-known and respected member of the media that cover college athletics writes about something he labels “The James Madison question” we feel obligated to make sure our readers have seen it. Doesn’t happen often, but this week ESPN’s Andy Katz penned a piece primarily discussing how many conference’s are coming the realization that 10 is a great number of members from a hoops perspective. But amidst the “full round-robin schedule” love for the hoops teams was quite a bit of CAA, and specifically James Madison discussion. We encourage you to read the entire article for what is there and what’s between the lines. Katz doesn’t necessarily know any more than all of us do, but he’s definitely plugged into the college athletics scene, ESPN’s willing to let this speculation roll, and he is the guy who started leaking the ODU to CUSA news last year a few weeks before it was official.
Overall, there’s really nothing new here. While I chose to boo CAA Commish Tom Yeager’s statement that “I’m not too concerned at this point” on Twitter regarding the chances of JMU leaving, the truth is what the hell else is he going to say? Hopefully JMU’s NOT sharing any decisions with him and he has ZERO input anyways and he’s not going to come out and say, “yeah, we’re really nervous we’re going to be further decimated by losing one of our last flagship members.”
Another thing we found interesting is that Katz phrased JMU’s quandary as “James Madison is figuring out what to do with football.” In other words, Katz at least suggests that the Dukes could make a football only move. Strange as it sounds since we haven’t previously advocated for that, at this point that would really sound like a pretty good move. The truth is, I think most fans would even come around to a Sun Belt or MAC move rather quickly if it was football only. Hoops, with this great group of underclassmen, wouldn’t even have to suffer through a year of postseason ineligibility.
Finally, Katz states as follows: “What’s next in realignment? The James Madison question will need to be answered…” Probably shouldn’t read into it, but at least he seems to think JMU really is the next domino to fall in realignment nationally no matter the decision.
Who knows if he has anything, but nice to see some smoke on a national outlet for once.
Good Luck Danielle!
We’ve reached that point in the summer where one or the other of us is out of town every week and there is nothing, I mean really nothing, to talk about without pretending to care about the three-deep chart for football or rehashing the reparking approach taken given an embittered group of ticketholders following the death of the CAA. But you can at least cheer yourself up by supporting a former JMU athlete, in this case volleyball badass Danielle Erb, in her quest to become The New Face of Hawaiian Tropic this summer! Cruise over to their Facebook site here, check out the video for Danielle and cast your vote.
Speaking of former Dukes, former Diamond Dukes catcher Jake Lowery was also in RVA this week where he helped his AA Akron Aeros beat up on the Flying Squirrels pretty good. And he collected some ink in the old RTD twice during the series. Check out one of the stories here. He also managed to get this “only in the minors” photo snapped of him sizing up the Little Ceasars “pizza pizza” guy.
You wish you were a Duke Dog!
We hope you all have a happy and safe Fourth of July. Don’t put a sparkler in your eye or anything. ‘Merica.
