{"id":11360,"date":"2019-12-19T08:26:14","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T13:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11360"},"modified":"2019-12-19T08:26:14","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T13:26:14","slug":"guest-post-fond-jmu-football-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11360","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Fond JMU Football Memories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chuck won last week’s prediction contest for JMU’s victory over UNI. Here’s his guest post about some of his favorite JMU football memories.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my prognostication versus UNI I\u2019d like to thank two of my all-time favorite JMU football players, Scotty McGee and Jimmy F\u2019n Moreland, for wearing the #19 and #6 jerseys. Knowing the game would be a low scoring affair, I opted to use their numbers for my prediction. In hindsight I guess I should\u2019ve used Bryan Schor and Jim Otto\u2019s jersey numbers. Yes, I know Jim Otto did not play for JMU\u2026and, yes, I know JFM originally wore #37.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While always a fan since graduating in the late 80\u2019s, my heavy rootin\u2019 didn\u2019t start until 2005 \u2013 the 2004 Natty was a reawakening of sorts and I joined the Duke Club while also purchasing season tickets. I\u2019m a huge fan of college football and this was a means to fulfill my appetite while supporting JMU athletics. Also it was a means to expose our two boys (at the time 7 and 4 years old) to the college atmosphere and JMU in particular. Below pic is circa 2007, pre-BFS expansion. While they both still follow JMU football they opted to attend schools with stadiums that 3 or 4 BFSs could fit in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think all would agree that \u201cpre-gaming\u201d has become as integral a part of the game day experience as the game itself \u2013 lubing up the vocal chords with cold beverages, catching up with JMU friends from the past and building new friendships. Our JMU tailgating ventures started in the parking deck \u2013 while it was an optimal location for sneaking beers in at halftime during the Montana playoff game (not that I would condone that behavior), it was not ideal for tailgating and a PITA to leave post-game. So a few years back we landed in lot C4 and couldn\u2019t be happier \u2013 easy to get in and out, a lively crowd (though it does dwindle as the temperature drops) and an easy walk to the stadium. The irony is not lost on me that C4 is located on the grounds of our 1987 Senior Pig Roast, an event that will live in infamy as the first and only time I\u2019ve been toppled over whilst in a Don\u2019s John. Good times they were\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On any given Saturday we team up with good friends, Janice and John Dec, to eat, drink and laugh. I would be remiss if I didn\u2019t mention that Janice\u2019s tailgate skills are top-notch and an A+ on the tailgating grading scale. You can quickly determine if she has skipped a game as it turns into a BOC (Bucket O\u2019 Chicken) tailgate. I know I speak on Janice and John\u2019s behalf when I say that all of JMU Nation is welcome to join us in C4 for some pre-gaming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Fond Football Memories and\/or Things I Miss (only includes since 2005 since I can\u2019t remember anything from the 80\u2019s):<\/p>\n\n\n\n