Join the Duke Club on the road this May to hear from Men's Basketball Head Coach, Preston Spradlin, Women's Basketball Head Coach, Sean O'Regan, Head Football Coach, Bob Chesney, and Matt Roan, JMU Director of Athletics! Purchase of a ticket will get you a College Game Day Puzzle and complimentary (1) drink ticket.

5/19, Middleburg - Lost Barrel Brewing Company 5:30pm
5/20, Richmond - Hardywood West Creek, 7pm
5/21, Norfolk - Blue Moon Taphouse, 7pm
5/22, Staunton - Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoors, 7pm

Order tickets:
https://jmusports.evenue.net/cgi-bin/nco...linkID=jmu

Staunton is new for this year. Might be an indicator of trying harder to capture local interest, which I love to see. I'll be there!

Registered for middleburg. Looks like a nice location.

Glad to see it on a Sunday rather than trying to fight traffic on a weeknight.

Looks like Staunton replaces Harrisonburg for the Valley location this year? That’s a little bit of a trek for people in the burg.

(04-24-2024 10:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  Registered for middleburg. Looks like a nice location.

Glad to see it on a Sunday rather than trying to fight traffic on a weeknight.

Looks like Staunton replaces Harrisonburg for the Valley location this year? That’s a little bit of a trek for people in the burg.

Don't think there was a Harrisonburg location last year (don't know about years prior). Would have gone if it had been in town, but too far now.

No NoVa / DC?

(04-24-2024 10:27 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  Registered for middleburg. Looks like a nice location.

Glad to see it on a Sunday rather than trying to fight traffic on a weeknight.

Looks like Staunton replaces Harrisonburg for the Valley location this year? That’s a little bit of a trek for people in the burg.

Don't think there was a Harrisonburg location last year (don't know about years prior). Would have gone if it had been in town, but too far now.

Per https://jmudukeclub.com/news/2023/3/11/g...ravan.aspx there was no Harrisonburg event last year.

Also - 30 minute drive is really not that far...

(04-24-2024 10:53 AM)DirtyBird713 Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:27 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  Registered for middleburg. Looks like a nice location.

Glad to see it on a Sunday rather than trying to fight traffic on a weeknight.

Looks like Staunton replaces Harrisonburg for the Valley location this year? That’s a little bit of a trek for people in the burg.

Don't think there was a Harrisonburg location last year (don't know about years prior). Would have gone if it had been in town, but too far now.

Per https://jmudukeclub.com/news/2023/3/11/g...ravan.aspx there was no Harrisonburg event last year.

Also - 30 minute drive is really not that far...

Yeah, I know for most people 30 minutes is nothing (somehow I used to do that for a daily commute), but after moving to downtown Harrisonburg last year it takes a lot to make me get in my car and go somewhere when I have everything I want in walking distance. I consider 15 minutes (walk, bike, transit, or drive) my brightline test, where the event or location has to be really worth it.

Honestly what is more turning me off is that it is at Charlie Obaugh of all places. I get they are a sponsor, but not the most inviting environment.

Will be weird seeing a whole new cast outside of Coach O. Also went up in price, now $30 when I think it used to be $10, at least it goes to a good cause.

There was a meet and greet with Chesney on Giving Day. Roan's introduction is set for next week at AUBC. I'm guessing something is in the works for Spradlin. Sprinkle in the Spring game.

Locals have gotten a ton of [free] access so I can understand why they looked to Staunton.

There were approximately 12 people who attended the caravan event in Harrisonburg in 2022. I'm exaggerating a little; the real count was like 40. It was pathetic for being the center of JMU athletics. I get why they're trying to engage a little farther out. I was one of the folks beating the drum with Athletics that they needed to host one of these in the Valley but the turn out was terrible.

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

(04-25-2024 07:07 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

Or some of us really hate driving (and car centric culture). My pocketbook and the 30+ JMU sporting events I have attended this academic year beg to differ on my support.

Also, as has been mentioned there are plenty of other good alternatives to meet JMU coaches in Harrisonburg throughout the year.

(04-25-2024 07:13 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:07 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

Or some of us really hate driving (and car centric culture). My pocketbook and the 30+ JMU sporting events I have attended this academic year beg to differ on my support.

Also, as has been mentioned there are plenty of other good alternatives to meet JMU coaches in Harrisonburg throughout the year.

What I'm hearing, is you wouldn't support the Dukes if you lived further than a nine iron from Wilson Hall.

(04-25-2024 07:20 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:13 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:07 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

Or some of us really hate driving (and car centric culture). My pocketbook and the 30+ JMU sporting events I have attended this academic year beg to differ on my support.

Also, as has been mentioned there are plenty of other good alternatives to meet JMU coaches in Harrisonburg throughout the year.

What I'm hearing, is you wouldn't support the Dukes if you lived further than a nine iron from Wilson Hall.

I'm more of driver and 7 iron from Wilson Hall.

And sure you are partially right, but what can you expect from a non-alumni. While if I ever move away I'm unlikely to support the local D1 team in a new city and would rather root for JMU now, my fandom was built on proximity. And there is a lot of potential for new fans (and donors) that way, if JMU wants to engage with them.

P.S. Also, if there was a reliable bus line to the Staunton event it would change the calculus, but that is a different conversation.

(04-25-2024 07:28 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:20 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:13 AM)Dukes_Royals Wrote:  

(04-25-2024 07:07 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

Or some of us really hate driving (and car centric culture). My pocketbook and the 30+ JMU sporting events I have attended this academic year beg to differ on my support.

Also, as has been mentioned there are plenty of other good alternatives to meet JMU coaches in Harrisonburg throughout the year.

What I'm hearing, is you wouldn't support the Dukes if you lived further than a nine iron from Wilson Hall.

I'm more of driver and 7 iron from Wilson Hall.

And sure you are partially right, but what can you expect from a non-alumni. While if I ever move away I'm unlikely to support the local D1 team in a new city and would rather root for JMU now, my fandom was built on proximity. And there is a lot of potential for new fans (and donors) that way, if JMU wants to engage with them.

P.S. Also, if there was a reliable bus line to the Staunton event it would change the calculus, but that is a different conversation.

You may find this difficult to believe, but great response. Thank you! I will say that more like you are needed. You are probably aware of this, but JMU would not be playing FBS football without the support of people willing to drive over two hours (with many being much further) in each direction six times during the Fall each year. Nevertheless, I do want more of you, not less.

(04-25-2024 07:07 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 10:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  No NoVa / DC?

If someone thinks a drive to Middleburg is too far to go from the heart of NOVA on a Sunday afternoon, then they don't really want to be a part of this deal. I'll say the same about Staunton, if that's too far for a Harrisonburg resident, then they really aren't much of a JMU fan. Having it in Staunton makes it just a little easier for those in Roanoke and surrounding area to attend. Same for Middleburg, this gives an opportunity for the Winchester and Front Royal fans. I don't see an hour drive as being an inconvenience unless you really don't want to go and need an excuse not to attend.

D@mn. I thought I wanted to be part of the deal so thanks for letting me know I didn't given 57 minutes (google maps, no traffic) from Arlington is too far for me for a happy hour. My 4 year old son hates riding in the car too so it would have been great to know before we endured hours of him crying in the backseat as we drove to JMU football (incl. spring game last weekend), MBB (incl. single day up and back to Brooklyn), WBB, men's soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse games over the last couple years. Anyone got the link for Marymount's athletics fundraising group?

(04-24-2024 10:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  Registered for middleburg. Looks like a nice location.

Glad to see it on a Sunday rather than trying to fight traffic on a weeknight.

Looks like Staunton replaces Harrisonburg for the Valley location this year? That’s a little bit of a trek for people in the burg.