The JMU Dukes baseball team has had plenty of highlights on the field this season. The team’s best highlight might have come last Friday at Buckland Mills Elementary School in Haymarket, Virginia however. On that day, the Dukes made a special appearance at the school to surprise 8 year old Justin Brown, a cancer survivor. The team was waiting for Justin when he entered the gym for what he thought was just a regular school assembly. As soon as he entered however, he was greeted by the team who was there to surprise him and take him on the team bus to that afternoon’s game at George Mason.
We’ve written about the Diamond Dukes special relationship with Justin before and it’s one of the things that makes us most proud to be JMU fans. Justin was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was only 2 years old, which caused him to lose his pituatary gland and left him blind in one eye. He was connected with the baseball team 2 years ago through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The Foundation supports children with brain tumors by matching them with college or high school atheltic teams for support. Justin was declared an official member of the JMU baseball team last year with a letter-of-intent signing ceremony the team held for him. Since becoming a member of the team, Justin has formed a special bond with players on the team. He got to throw out the first pitch at a game last year, has joined the team at games, and even has his own locker. His mother explained the members of the team call Justin at home and have formed special friendships with her son.
We’re constantly reminded of some of the negative aspects of sports, but that just makes stories like this one about Justin Brown and his JMU baseball teammates, that much better.
A few getaway items on hoops before we move on to silly season which this year will include covering successful baseball and lax teams headed for postseason greatness that our readers – or at least a few – will boo us for covering, offseason work for Coach L and Field Hockey, the spring football game (April 16 in Richmond), and this year’s special bracket o’ nostalgia, featuring mid-late 90’s VA local bands (yes, there may be a Full Circle sighting!).
But in the warm afterglow of another CAA Final Four run, here are some last thoughts:
1) The CAA is legit and all to all you peeps running your yaks about CUSA and the A-10, I quote our reader CoachCornell “COOL IT, bub!” A second Final Four in five years (VCU), another win (Voldemort over Villanova), and a last-second loss to one of the teams still playing (ODU) speak louder than the entire chorus of other mid-majors claiming they’re better than the old Colonial.
2) Dukes will be a prime candidate for the Ewing Theory next year! Before you all write off a Denzel-less JMU squad, just remember Brady’s been saying our best player was the one sitting out after transferring since before this season even started. If Shaka Smart (likely) or Blaine Taylor (unlikely) leave their programs, that will further shake things up.
3) We literally finished with only 4 points in Defiantly Dutch’s (hysterical and equally Mason-hating Hofstra blog) annual CBI Bracket Pool. There are four humorous items in the preceding sentence and that fact we scored a scant 4 points is the least of them.
3) Oh yeah, hope you read this far because the following tweet (follow us @jmusportsblog)made my weekend: “A new $87.5M Convocation Center is part of James Madison University’s six year capital outlay plan, released Friday at Board of Visitors meeting.” I’m just going to enjoy that and let it sink in without comment on all the rumors, naysaying, and ramifications right now. And for those of you that say it’ll never happen or that JMU isn’t thinking longer-term, bigger conference thoughts, I only offer the following picture:
Seriously, you don't want to be there to open this puppy on Sept. 10th?
p.s. DC/NoVa Coaches Caravan back at The Boulevard Woodgrill (great location from last year) coming up Wednesday, May 4th. RSVP and use PayPal (10 by May 2, 15 at door) to Laura at novadukeclub@gmail.com.
Dukes baseball (although it was a tough opener according to @Dukie95) and women’s lax are both at Mason this weekend for you DC folks, but this weekend is really about #8wins4CAA and the VCU Rams! And it doesn’t even come with the “yeah, but” self-loathing that accompanied the Mason run five years ago. Plus they’re not taking on Joakim Noah and Al Horford this time. So go get this thing VCU!
Thanks to Suaze for the assist on this classic tee for the Rams and keep an eye out for an expanded tee-shirt selection from JMUSB coming soon!
The Diamond Dukes have dropped their first CAA series over the weekend and now sit in 2nd place in the CAA. The offense isn’t to blame though. Catcher Jake Lowery and and short stop Dave Herbek are putting up some ridiculous numbers and staking a claim to the title of JMU’s Bash Brothers. Unlike the original Bash Brothers, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco however, they’re not roided out freaks.
I don’t claim to be a college baseball expert, but you don’t need to be to realize how impressive Herbek’s and Lowery’s play has been. Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves. These two guys are just blowing away the competition in the CAA. Check out these rankings in a number of offensive statistical categories:
| Rank | Team | Player | TB | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 94 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | 86 |
| Rank | Team | Player | RBI | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 41 | |||
| 3 | James Madison | David Herbek | 38 |
| Rank | Team | Player | HR | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 12 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | 11 |
| Rank | Team | Player | R | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 38 |
| Rank | Team | Player | OPS | |||
| 1 | James Madison | David Herbek | 1.365 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 1.334 |
| Rank | Team | Player | SLG | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | .879 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | .869 |
So the two are clearly blowing away the competition in the CAA. Here’s the thing though, those are the national rankings. That’s right. Herbek and Lowery rank 1-2 in Slugging, OPS, Home Runs, and Total Bases, sit 1st and 3rd in RBI, and Lowery leads the nation in runs. And in case you didn’t know there are 285 teams in Division 1 baseball. And only 9 of those teams have hit more homers than Lowery and Herbek’s combined total of 23. Wow.
The VCU Rams defeat of the Kansas Jayhawks might have shocked the world, but it just proved what many of us have been screaming all season, the CAA is a damn good baskeball league. There isn’t much we can say on the topic that hasn’t been said already, but here are 5 quick thoughts on VCU’s run to the Final Four.
1. JMU Beat a Final Four Team This Season
The Dukes defeated VCU in Richmond about a month ago, so yes, they beat a Final Four team. It shows that when at their best this season, JMU could definitely run with the big boys. Of course that might make the inconsistency and the losses to W&M and Georgia State even more frustrating. Still, this is the first time JMU can ever say that it beat a Final Four team, so let’s be proud of it.
2. Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, et al Can Shove It
I’ve heard a lot of people say that the fact that VCU won games in the tournament doesn’t mean that it deserved to get a bid. I guess you could logically say that the there is no correlation between the two and VCU still hasn’t validated its selection. I wouldn’t, but you could. I still say Bilas, Davis, and everyone else who ranted against VCU’s selection can get bent. Watch the league before you attempt to comment on it fellas.
Prior to today’s win, I also heard other people try to discredit VCU’s run. Their argument was that USC was bad, Georgetown didn’t count because they were beat up, and FSU isn’t anything special basketball-wise. So essentially they were saying that VCU’s run isn’t extraordinary because they were better than the teams they beat. And these same people claim VCU didn’t deserve a bid. Does not compute.
3. The CAA Just Got a Whole Lot Better
Readers of this blog know that the CAA is a great league. It’s about to get much better though. The level of play in the league improved since GMU’s Final Four run in 2006. Now that VCU proved that it’s possible for another CAA team to do it, it’s going to give every team in the league the chance to improve recruiting and out of conference scheduling. In addition to giving the league greater credibility, VCU’s run brings financial rewards to the CAA. Each team gets a cut of the millions VCU has earned. With a few more strong showings in March by CAA teams, the league could see an uptick in tv revenue. All this money will help close the gap with the power programs. VCU made its run after spending $2.3 million on hoops this season. The Kansas team they beat spent $10.9 million. That’s a huge difference. Calipari probably spends more that $2.3 million paying folks to take his recruits’ SATs.
4. This Is Awesome for Mason Haters
VCU’s run isn’t over and you’d have to be crazy at this point to assume the Rams can’t win this whole damn thing. Even if it ends here though it at least means that Mason isn’t the only CAA team to make a Final Four. That’s like a gift from heaven for Mason haters (guilty as charged) who are sick of hearing Mason fans crow about the 2006 team. Maybe by the time JMU makes a Final Four it will be a cliche.
5. Congrats to all VCU Players, Coaches, and Fans
I wish it was JMU, but I’m thrilled for everyone associated with VCU and the rest of the CAA. Good luck. Now go win 2 more!
It’s come to our attention that there is a new group on campus that “seeks to create, enhance and commemorate positive traditions at JMU.” Evidently this group operated in secret before revealing itself as the Madison Society this spring. The same day the group made its true identity known, it unvelied JMU’s newest tradition, a “spirit rock on the east campus meadow adjacent to the new biosciences building.” And don’t confuse the spirit rock with kissing rock, which was forever ruined by the most awkward ESPNU profile segment ever during the JMU-GMU game. The spirit rock is just a big old rock that members of the JMU community are invited to paint whenever they are inspired.
I’m sure lots of people are going to allege that it’s rather ridiculous for a group to arbitrarily launch a tradition out of the blue and force it on a community. And well, those people are absolutely right. It’s ludicrous. That doesn’t mean we don’t think you should paint the damn rock though. We’re dying for folks to paint it actually. Please someone paint “JMU Sports Blog” all over it and send us a picture. Seriously. We have nothing of value to give you, but we’ll put the picture on the blog and say nice things about you. And when you email us the picture please explain where east campus is, because I’ve never heard of it. When I was in school we just had campus. And we liked it that way.
Let me explain why we’re doing this. Because we are so are desparate for attention that seeing JMUSB on a big hunk of stone will make us feel special. I wish there was something more to it, but that’s pretty much it. And I guess it wouldn’t hurt if this little tradition took off. As easy as it is to be cynical about a group like the Madison Society, I sincerely applaud their intent. JMU is somewhat lacking in the tradition department. Check out this list to see what I mean. Throwing streamers is legit, but a couple of those others are weak. Holding the door for strangers? Seriously? We’re claiming that one for JMU? Seriously? That’s just common courtesy. Are we also going to claim saying “bless you” after someone sneezes?
Go paint the damn rock people. Paint JMU Sports Blog on it and make us feel good about ourselves.
Former JMU soccer star, CJ Sapong, got his MLS career started with a bang over the weekend. The rookie striker earned the start for the season opener and then scored in the second minute of the match. Scroll to the 48 second point in the video above to see it. The goal was the fastest by a rookie in MLS history. It was a quality strike and it helped Sporting Kansas City (terrible name) defeat Chivas USA (slightly less terrible name) by the score of 3-2.
It’s probably no surprise that as a couple of bloggers passionate about mid-major college hoops and FCS football, we’re also drawn to other sports outside of the 4 majors, including soccer. And while we’re both steadfast DC United supporters, we’re hoping CJ finds the back of the net many times this season. Maybe he’ll even get to collaborate on some goal celebrations with Chad Ochocinco.
Not your father's Newman Lake
For those of you who follow the program closely and our more than a little fanatical about our beloved 1-AA Dukes (ok, maybe that’s just us), there was enormous news on the football front yesterday as Head Coach Mickey Matthews announced on the eve of spring practice that he had stripped Offensive Coordinator Jeff Durden of playcalling responsibility. Like most OC’s when a team is struggling (think Stinespring at VT), Durden was reviled by fans as the cause of JMU’s lackluster production, tepid playcalling, and polio. We are greeting this news with a hallelujah chorus after two seasons of incessant whining. Possibly just as stunning, MM announced he’ll be taking over the playcalling duties himself in 2011. We are greeting this news with an intoxicating mix of anxiety, goosebumps, and sheer panic. And quite a few buring questions we’ll list below. MM said Durden will remain with the program as Tight Ends Coach and will be up in the sweet, new press box for assistance. This is also good news as that means Durden will physically be a country mile from the QB’s head as evidenced by the photo we couldn’t resist running again.
Also, before we forget – and don’t worry Landeta, we won’t – the women’s hoops team’s run came to a close in the NCAA tourney in Charlottesville over the weekend at the hands of Oklahoma. Incredible purple turnout for the game and a valiant comeback attempt in the second half, but the Dukes just couldn’t match the Sooners speed and quickness. With openings at VT and UVa and rumors circulating in places like the Wash Post (and my co-worker’s office whose jersey hangs in the rafters for the Wahoos) about Kenny Brooks being on the short list, we’ll be back soon for more coverage, but this Durden thing is too big to put off.
Top Five Questions related to Durden’s emasculation:
1) Timing?! The eve of spring practice seemed an odd time for this news. MM had all winter to make this decision and I’ve got to think he already had the convo with Durden a while ago. That said, Spring ball just got more exciting leading up to the April 16 spring game which will take place in Richmond. Should be cool for RIC/Hampton Roads Dukes.
2) Will the Dukes EVER throw? Even with Durden, we had to wonder if the Dukes knew the forward pass had been approved for use (you know, eight decades ago). With “hit ’em in the mouth” MM, is this progression or regression.
3) With Billy Cosh coming onboard, does MM know something we don’t? We love this possibility. Cosh is the transfer QB from Kansas St. and conspiring minds like ours would love to think MM knows his presence will make him look like a genius (can you say Justin Rascati?!)
4) Will the Dukes go for EVERY fourth down? As a Gregg Easterbrook TMQ devotee and a notorious contrarian on fourth down philosophy, I sure as hell hope so. Ever responsible and risk-averse(read “parent”) Rob will surely disagree with me here, but MM is already famous for past fourth-down decisions that some considered reckless.
5) Will this new responsibility keep MM’s worst instincts and sideline antics in check? As we’ve noted over and over, officiating in the CAA is a debacle but MM seems to make it even harder on the Dukes with his outrageous sideline behavior (not to mention infusing the team with that same sense of disease). I’m hoping the play-by-play responsibility to fight the play clock and calmly signal his troops next move will put an end to some of this nonsense. But I wouldn’t bet on it, especially against Delaware.
Photo Credit to Dukester - thanks!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated or click here to read the magazine’s profile of JMU’s very own Dawn Evans. It might not turn you into a women’s hoop fan, but it will make even the most cynical of us Dawn fans.
Dawn and her teammates are moving on to the NCAAs after winning the CAA. They’ll open with a virtual home game in Charlottesville against a very experienced Oklahoma Sooners team.
Men’s basketball season officially ended with Coach Brady and the Dukes getting blown out by Davidson in the first round of the CBI Tournament. On the plus side, this saves me the embarassment of ever being caught bragging about a JMU win in the CBI Tournament.
At times it feels like this is the only blog on the planet that’s never mentioned Charlie Sheen or the NFL lockout. That’s over. Check out this article to see how Mike Caussin, Dorian Brooks, and Arthur Moats are coping with being locked out.
The Diamond Dukes are off to a 13-4 start and have a big series against VCU, the defending CAA champ, this weekend. The Dukes hit 23 homers and scored 91 runs in the season opening 4 game series with Bucknell and now a bat they used is headed to the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Women’s lax is off to a hot start as well. The Dukes defeated Princeton this week to move to 5-0 and are ranked 9th in the nation.
Historians aren’t sure, but they believe March 16 was James Madison’s birthday. If correct, he would have been 260 years old this week. I know it was definitely my grandma’s 93rd birthday so Happy Birthday Grandma!
