Dukes drop all 3 in the series against Hofstra on the road. Season record is now 26-23, with 3 games remaining against Maryland on the road.

A former JMU HC could get it done again in Harrisonburg. Look at what he's done at Shenandoah University. They have been in the NCAA Reg'ls 11x's since 2009 and advanced twice to the World Series.

JMU ....... 147-87-1
SU ......... 571-237-2
Overall ... 718-324-3

(05-15-2022 05:29 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  Dukes drop all 3 in the series against Hofstra on the road. Season record is now 26-23, with 3 games remaining against Maryland on the road.

Yup a very disappointing series vs Hofstra.......which included 1 game that the flat blew.

(05-16-2022 07:02 AM)VerizonSportsFan Wrote:  A former JMU HC could get it done again in Harrisonburg. Look at what he's done at Shenandoah University. They have been in the NCAA Reg'ls 11x's since 2009 and advanced twice to the World Series.

JMU ....... 147-87-1
SU ......... 571-237-2
Overall ... 718-324-3

May want to look into why he became a "former JMU HC".

(05-16-2022 08:02 AM)PolishFalconDuke Wrote:  

(05-16-2022 07:02 AM)VerizonSportsFan Wrote:  A former JMU HC could get it done again in Harrisonburg. Look at what he's done at Shenandoah University. They have been in the NCAA Reg'ls 11x's since 2009 and advanced twice to the World Series.

JMU ....... 147-87-1
SU ......... 571-237-2
Overall ... 718-324-3

May want to look into why he became a "former JMU HC".

https://apnews.com/article/7c99c28712cec...add17a2a9c

In usual Ike fashion, JMU will occasionally surprise (sweeping WM), do what they should do (sweep Towson), and then go back to usual disappointment (get swept by Hofstra).
Maryland- probably lose, but could shock us with a win, and then probably end up getting swept by UNCW.
They are consistently inconsistent.
If Ike somehow ends up getting another year (still possible), this team is absolutely going to be in the bottom half of the league. The Sun Belt is one of the better baseball leagues in the country, unlike the CAA and we are struggling.
I'm angry because I care. I love JMU and really want to love JMU baseball again. Right now I don't and it's frustrating. Another year of this and the anger will become apathy.
I'm just tired of it.

(05-16-2022 08:28 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  In usual Ike fashion, JMU will occasionally surprise (sweeping WM), do what they should do (sweep Towson), and then go back to usual disappointment (get swept by Hofstra).
Maryland- probably lose, but could shock us with a win, and then probably end up getting swept by UNCW.
They are consistently inconsistent.
If Ike somehow ends up getting another year (still possible), this team is absolutely going to be in the bottom half of the league. The Sun Belt is one of the better baseball leagues in the country, unlike the CAA and we are struggling.
I'm angry because I care. I love JMU and really want to love JMU baseball again. Right now I don't and it's frustrating. Another year of this and the anger will become apathy.
I'm just tired of it.

You hit the nail on the head of what frustrates me so much about the baseball program -- the complete lack of consistency and inability to win/split a critical series.

(05-16-2022 08:28 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  In usual Ike fashion, JMU will occasionally surprise (sweeping WM), do what they should do (sweep Towson), and then go back to usual disappointment (get swept by Hofstra).
Maryland- probably lose, but could shock us with a win, and then probably end up getting swept by UNCW.
They are consistently inconsistent.
If Ike somehow ends up getting another year (still possible), this team is absolutely going to be in the bottom half of the league. The Sun Belt is one of the better baseball leagues in the country, unlike the CAA and we are struggling.
I'm angry because I care. I love JMU and really want to love JMU baseball again. Right now I don't and it's frustrating. Another year of this and the anger will become apathy.
I'm just tired of it.

I completely understand where you’re coming from. I just wish I could express confidence that the AD and upper administration felt the same way, and were ready to make a change and invest in the program. JMU baseball has languished in mediocrity for a decade. It’s time to make a fresh start in a new, very competitive league with a new HC and staff.

(05-16-2022 12:17 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(05-16-2022 08:28 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  In usual Ike fashion, JMU will occasionally surprise (sweeping WM), do what they should do (sweep Towson), and then go back to usual disappointment (get swept by Hofstra).
Maryland- probably lose, but could shock us with a win, and then probably end up getting swept by UNCW.
They are consistently inconsistent.
If Ike somehow ends up getting another year (still possible), this team is absolutely going to be in the bottom half of the league. The Sun Belt is one of the better baseball leagues in the country, unlike the CAA and we are struggling.
I'm angry because I care. I love JMU and really want to love JMU baseball again. Right now I don't and it's frustrating. Another year of this and the anger will become apathy.
I'm just tired of it.

I completely understand where you’re coming from. I just wish I could express confidence that the AD and upper administration felt the same way, and were ready to make a change and invest in the program. JMU baseball has languished in mediocrity for a decade. It’s time to make a fresh start in a new, very competitive league with a new HC and staff.

This^^^^^ I feel blessed to have caught the tail end of a great era of JMU baseball. Sitting on the right field hill at the old stadium was fun. We were 43-11! My freshman year. Made the NCAA tourn. Winning record all 4 of my years at JMU

If Ike is .500 as a coach in the CAA....goodness...what will be his record in a stout SBC? Don't want to look next year, but maybe he surprises.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

(05-16-2022 04:01 PM)hburg Wrote:  If Ike is .500 as a coach in the CAA....goodness...what will be his record in a stout SBC? Don't want to look next year, but maybe he surprises.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Let’s hope we don’t have to witness that train wreck.

Ike’s had 7 years at JMU to show what he brings to the table. His record is one of consistent mediocrity (or worse). That shouldn’t cut it in any JMU varsity sport (revenue or non-revenue) when the HC has a full-deck of scholarships, decent facilities and a budget to cover a decent staff and recruiting.

If the end of this season isn’t the right time to tell Ike “Adios” I don’t know what it will take. Maybe he’s got incriminating photos on someone? If a change isn’t made now I’ve lost all hope that JMU baseball will be an NCAAT contender within the next decade.

If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

(05-16-2022 04:01 PM)hburg Wrote:  If Ike is .500 as a coach in the CAA....goodness...what will be his record in a stout SBC? Don't want to look next year, but maybe he surprises.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I like your optimism, but I see absolutely nothing in Ike's career that could suggest he could actually field a good team.
He got a coaching job at JMU based on his time at VMI. At VMI his career record was 282-307-1. In the Big South, his record was 109-159. His BEST season was 2008 when the team went 29-26 and 14-7 in the Big South (3rd).
He got a job at JMU by going under .500 in a subpar league.
At JMU, he's 150-153 and 57-69 in the CAA.
In his entire coaching career since 2004, he's had 4 seasons where his team had over 30 wins. 1 of them was at JMU (2019... 31-26 overall, 11-13 in conference (6th). Their highest CAA ranking was 4th in 2016 (his first season) when they went 24-31 overall and 13-11 in the CAA. 2016 so far was the ONLY season where his team went over .500 in conference play (could happen this year).

That's what he is. That's what he's always been. To suggest something better in a much, much better conference is just not realistic.

(05-17-2022 07:39 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

Don't want to take this off track, but the idea of unlimited scholarships seems like a bad idea from all sides. Those athletes wanting a big-name school, only to sit out on the bench for their career. G5 schools take a hit on talent. FCS level schools become like the non-scholly programs. Hopefully, baseball will benefit if this does happen. but I can only see further deteriorate. But maybe Iam exaggerating.

(05-17-2022 10:06 AM)hburg Wrote:  

(05-17-2022 07:39 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

Don't want to take this off track, but the idea of unlimited scholarships seems like a bad idea from all sides. Those athletes wanting a big-name school, only to sit out on the bench for their career. G5 schools take a hit on talent. FCS level schools become like the non-scholly programs. Hopefully, baseball will benefit if this does happen. but I can only see further deteriorate. But maybe Iam exaggerating.

While scholarships might be unlimited, the game remains the same. There are still x amount of people allowed to play. If a player joins a team with a lot more scholarships, it could mean that person isn't going to see any play time on the field. Players that want to play may not want to be on teams where they are having to compete against so many more players.
I don't think it's a great idea, but I also don't think it's going to be crippling to the G5 or FCS.

The big thing with the scholarship game is that sports like baseball are currently capped to the point where most players are on a partial scholarship. Baseball is capped at 11.7 scholarships. Perhaps some players get a full ride (if you’re a Ben Joyce, Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter) but for the most part just about every player is on no or partial scholarships. Full scholarships in the new world might dictate us getting a starter on full that if they received less from us could go sit on a bench at full scholarship somewhere else with a lower chance of becoming a starter.

I would expect SEC and BIG 12 programs to put their whole team on scholarship. Does the Big TEN follow? The schools have the resources but it’s not 100% guaranteed that they would since they don’t value baseball as much. Arkansas guaranteed. University of Minnesota, maybe not as much. I don’t think removal of the scholarship cap necessarily hurts a mid-major but it does place more pressure on schools like JMU to be savy with resources if our peers up the pressure.

For example if schools like Coastal, USM, GASo, etc. decide that full scholarship funding will keep them in the Top-25, do they enter the arms race? If the answer is yes, then JMU is behind them in coaching staffs, facilities, recent success, and now scholarships in the recruiting game. This just puts more pressure on donors to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t think P5 expenses will make our world worse, it will be when the other G5 schools start upping their spending that we’ll feel the pressure.

(05-17-2022 07:39 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

Where are you getting the idea that the NCAA would possibly increase the number of D1 scholarships in baseball? I’ve not read or heard anything that would change the current max of 11.7 baseball scholarships. Given the ongoing competition from the pros to sign the top High School 17-18 year olds I can’t see how an increase in scholarships would particularly change anything from a competitive standpoint, and I don’t know of any schools that are actively lobbying for an increase. Should the NCAA increase the cap from the current 11.7 it definitely won’t be to wave the white flag and say schools will now be allowed to offer unlimited scholarships. That ship sailed many years ago.

The 11.7 cap in D1 baseball has always seemed a bit odd, but Title IX issues are probably a factor in setting that number, especially at institutions supporting FBS football teams. For arguments sake, should the NCAA raise the scholarship cap for D1 baseball I’m confident JMU would try to keep pace….so long as compliance with Title IX guidelines can be maintained.

(05-17-2022 08:02 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(05-17-2022 07:39 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

Where are you getting the idea that the NCAA would possibly increase the number of D1 scholarships in baseball?

As I learned during my time at JMU, always include your sources.

https://www.si.com/college/2022/04/27/nc...ee-changes

https://theathletic.com/3304957/2022/05/...ed_article

(05-17-2022 11:27 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  

(05-17-2022 08:02 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(05-17-2022 07:39 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  If he had incriminating photos on someone, I'm sure he would have been given the title of Coach for Life with a contract to match.

I also want to remind everyone that this might be a summer of major upheaval in NCAA sports as it relates to scholarships. Historically, baseball teams are given 11.7 scholarships to divide among 27 players, but that may change as the NCAA looks to do away with limits on numbers of scholarships. Not sure if JMU will continue to offer the max right away, or gradually build up to it, nor is it a guarantee that this will stick to just baseball, although it seems there is a major push for this from the baseball side of the aisle.

Where are you getting the idea that the NCAA would possibly increase the number of D1 scholarships in baseball?

As I learned during my time at JMU, always include your sources.

https://www.si.com/college/2022/04/27/nc...ee-changes

https://theathletic.com/3304957/2022/05/...ed_article

Thanks. Appreciate the SI link as I don’t subscribe or typically read stuff under its banner.

Regarding lifting the so-called ban on partial scholarships in baseball, I can see some P5s wanting to elevate the sport to a numbers cap, as in FB. Say the NCAA (under pressure from the SEC) wanted to go from 11.7 scholarships to 35 (present roster cap) receiving full scholarships, which would then bring the Title IX issue into play (as I’ve already mentioned, and the SI article raises to).

Once upon a time FB programs (that could afford it) gave as many scholarships as they wanted (or could pay for). I know Texas did this simply to keep a player from suiting up for a competitor, and I’m sure other big programs like Ohio State or Alabama did the same. Then the NCAA set roster caps, under the guise of promoting competitive equality and containing costs. After some adjustments (with Title IX also entering the picture) FB finally settled on the 85 number. Limiting the number of coaches and staff were all part of that scenario.

Baseball could follow the same path, maybe even lowering the roster cap from 35 to 30, or even 28, to control costs and minimize Title IX concerns, but even then there likely would be additional costs associated in meeting Title IX guidelines.

But let’s spitball here and just imagine that the roster cap in baseball was not lowered (staying at 35), and now it was legal (or required) to offer full rides. I don’t think JMU would balk (no baseball pun intended) at this, but it might also entail raising the number of full rides given the softball team to stay Title IX compliant.

Adding staff (more than doubling from 11 to 25 coaches in FB as the SI article suggested might happen) would be the bigger/biggest cost factor. I don’t know how a G5 program would compete in that area. My guess is JMU would first want to spend its money on maximizing/meeting the threshold allowed for student athlete scholarships, and then add numbers to the coaching staff (if funds allowed).

Anyway you look at this possibility is good for future students (I like the idea of more financial support for the athletes), but it would sure put the pressure on the non-P5 (and even weaker P5s) to keep pace.