And let's not forget Womens Soccer also with a Top 40 recruiting class as well.

(07-08-2022 02:50 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...

Sort of like those saying the Sun Belt are beneath JMU academically, the travel would be too great, we'd be on the outskirts of the SB footprint, and the SB doesn't sponsor several of our sports.

I'm just glad App State and GA Southern had the wherewithal to make the move when they did, without those two blazing the trail, this opportunity would never have come to fruition.

Clearly the way Jeff Bourne handled our declining the offer a decade ago, he did so with professional diplomacy. Had he pissed them off, we could be sitting on the outside looking in as Louisiana Tech is doing.

It's working out and seemingly pleasing all but the most ignorant. I haven't seen displeasure in this group, but there were a few expressing negative feedback in "that" Facebook bunch.

(07-09-2022 07:13 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-08-2022 02:50 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...

Sort of like those saying the Sun Belt are beneath JMU academically, the travel would be too great, we'd be on the outskirts of the SB footprint, and the SB doesn't sponsor several of our sports.

I'm just glad App State and GA Southern had the wherewithal to make the move when they did, without those two blazing the trail, this opportunity would never have come to fruition.

Clearly the way Jeff Bourne handled our declining the offer a decade ago, he did so with professional diplomacy. Had he pissed them off, we could be sitting on the outside looking in as Louisiana Tech is doing.

It's working out and seemingly pleasing all but the most ignorant. I haven't seen displeasure in this group, but there were a few expressing negative feedback in "that" Facebook bunch.

Nearly a decade has passed since the supposed first offer to join the SBC was turned down by JMU. It was the correct decision then (made by LR) to to stay in the CAA and develop the athletic program (across all sports). It must not be overlooked that it was in this same time frame that LR also made the decision to “trim” the number of varsity programs. That decision was unpopular, but LR had a plan and vision. LR also laid out a commitment that every JMU varsity sport would offer the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

The official JMU position (oft repeated) but rarely accepted at face value, was that JMU was “monitoring” the situation across the D1 landscape, and that JMU was prepared to move if and (only) when the time was right. Insert the “monitoring” wisecracks here. The SBC also needed time to develop as a conference, especially as a FB conference.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and the good fortune (luck) of being in the right place at the right time can’t be minimized. That accepted, luck favors the prepared, and JMU and the SBC were both now prepared to join forces this time around. It feels right, and by damn, it’s just about a perfect match.

JB and Commissioner Gill deserve credit for their ongoing efforts over the past decade, as does LR, CK and President Alger. It’s time for all the past criticisms of JB, CK, LR and Alger to be set aside, and admit they got it right. Now it’s up to the Duke Club boosters to do their part. After a long chase, JMU is the Duke Dog that has caught the proverbial FBS “car”…what are we going to do with it?

(07-10-2022 06:47 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-09-2022 07:13 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-08-2022 02:50 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...

Sort of like those saying the Sun Belt are beneath JMU academically, the travel would be too great, we'd be on the outskirts of the SB footprint, and the SB doesn't sponsor several of our sports.

I'm just glad App State and GA Southern had the wherewithal to make the move when they did, without those two blazing the trail, this opportunity would never have come to fruition.

Clearly the way Jeff Bourne handled our declining the offer a decade ago, he did so with professional diplomacy. Had he pissed them off, we could be sitting on the outside looking in as Louisiana Tech is doing.

It's working out and seemingly pleasing all but the most ignorant. I haven't seen displeasure in this group, but there were a few expressing negative feedback in "that" Facebook bunch.

Nearly a decade has passed since the supposed first offer to join the SBC was turned down by JMU. It was the correct decision then (made by LR) to to stay in the CAA and develop the athletic program (across all sports). It must not be overlooked that it was in this same time frame that LR also made the decision to “trim” the number of varsity programs. That decision was unpopular, but LR had a plan and vision. LR also laid out a commitment that every JMU varsity sport would offer the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

The official JMU position (oft repeated) but rarely accepted at face value, was that JMU was “monitoring” the situation across the D1 landscape, and that JMU was prepared to move if and (only) when the time was right. Insert the “monitoring” wisecracks here. The SBC also needed time to develop as a conference, especially as a FB conference.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and the good fortune (luck) of being in the right place at the right time can’t be minimized. That accepted, luck favors the prepared, and JMU and the SBC were both now prepared to join forces this time around. It feels right, and by damn, it’s just about a perfect match.

JB and Commissioner Gill deserve credit for their ongoing efforts over the past decade, as does LR, CK and President Alger. It’s time for all the past criticisms of JB, CK, LR and Alger to be set aside, and admit they got it right. Now it’s up to the Duke Club boosters to do their part. After a long chase, JMU is the Duke Dog that has caught the proverbial FBS “car”…what are we going to do with it?

Just so it's understood, my comments in my first paragraph were solely based off of what JMU supporters were saying, not JMU. Though our wonderful coach, EW, tried to blow smoke up my a$$ using the academic excuse.

The only thing you have stated that might be pushing the limit, was about cutting the number of sports we sponsor during that time frame. The beginning of the 2007 season was the effective time frame for the reduction. I don't believe we were on the Sun Belt radar for another five years afterwards. Though President Rose probably was feeling the effects of that decision and didn't want to feel the heat of a divisional move before exiting. I personally heard the attacks made from a parent who's kid was practically forced to leave JMU due to dropping their child's sport. FYI: Rose did what we needed to do, but some students athletes suffered. I have no doubt this decision weighed heavy on his heart.

(07-10-2022 10:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-10-2022 06:47 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-09-2022 07:13 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-08-2022 02:50 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...

Sort of like those saying the Sun Belt are beneath JMU academically, the travel would be too great, we'd be on the outskirts of the SB footprint, and the SB doesn't sponsor several of our sports.

I'm just glad App State and GA Southern had the wherewithal to make the move when they did, without those two blazing the trail, this opportunity would never have come to fruition.

Clearly the way Jeff Bourne handled our declining the offer a decade ago, he did so with professional diplomacy. Had he pissed them off, we could be sitting on the outside looking in as Louisiana Tech is doing.

It's working out and seemingly pleasing all but the most ignorant. I haven't seen displeasure in this group, but there were a few expressing negative feedback in "that" Facebook bunch.

Nearly a decade has passed since the supposed first offer to join the SBC was turned down by JMU. It was the correct decision then (made by LR) to to stay in the CAA and develop the athletic program (across all sports). It must not be overlooked that it was in this same time frame that LR also made the decision to “trim” the number of varsity programs. That decision was unpopular, but LR had a plan and vision. LR also laid out a commitment that every JMU varsity sport would offer the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

The official JMU position (oft repeated) but rarely accepted at face value, was that JMU was “monitoring” the situation across the D1 landscape, and that JMU was prepared to move if and (only) when the time was right. Insert the “monitoring” wisecracks here. The SBC also needed time to develop as a conference, especially as a FB conference.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and the good fortune (luck) of being in the right place at the right time can’t be minimized. That accepted, luck favors the prepared, and JMU and the SBC were both now prepared to join forces this time around. It feels right, and by damn, it’s just about a perfect match.

JB and Commissioner Gill deserve credit for their ongoing efforts over the past decade, as does LR, CK and President Alger. It’s time for all the past criticisms of JB, CK, LR and Alger to be set aside, and admit they got it right. Now it’s up to the Duke Club boosters to do their part. After a long chase, JMU is the Duke Dog that has caught the proverbial FBS “car”…what are we going to do with it?

Just so it's understood, my comments in my first paragraph were solely based off of what JMU supporters were saying, not JMU. Though our wonderful coach, EW, tried to blow smoke up my a$$ using the academic excuse.

The only thing you have stated that might be pushing the limit, was about cutting the number of sports we sponsor during that time frame. The beginning of the 2007 season was the effective time frame for the reduction. I don't believe we were on the Sun Belt radar for another five years afterwards. Though President Rose probably was feeling the effects of that decision and didn't want to feel the heat of a divisional move before exiting. I personally heard the attacks made from a parent who's kid was practically forced to leave JMU due to dropping their child's sport. FYI: Rose did what we needed to do, but some students athletes suffered. I have no doubt this decision weighed heavy on his heart.

LR, like any normal human, felt the pain his decisions sometimes inflicted on others. Still, that’s what leaders must endure. Hopefully the leader with the authority to make tough decisions have goals or a purpose in mind that ultimately create a net-positive for the greater good. It still doesn’t negate the pain or individual sacrifice borne by some people (like the student you mention), but again, it’s rare that progress can be made without any pain.

LR was skilled at logistics, and had an excellent feel for how the dominoes had to be lined up so they’d fall “just right.” This was a needed skill-set following Dr. Carrier’s tenure as President. Carrier was a strategic thinker, and he really didn’t care for how the details got worked out so long as his overall “big” picture was realized.

An example of LR’s forward thinking illustrating his skill at “logistics” was the placement and construction of the first parking garage on campus. Locating that garage behind and next to the FB stadium was questioned (strongly) at the time, but LR knew it was going to become a future element of BFS. Many faculty and staff bitched that they were now going to have to start paying for parking to pay for a garage that wasn’t particularly convenient (yes, parking was free for faculty & staff before that garage was built!), but LR had a plan.

LR’s elimination/reorganization of the varsity sports JMU supported was of a like kind of decision making. It wasn’t popular, or universally understood, but LR had a plan.

The biggest problem was LR was trying to implement a future planning process and structure at JMU where none had previously existed. Dr. Carrier’s force of personality and presence on campus (and in the Commonwealth) as a public presidency allowed Carrier to “make it up” as he went about his wheeling and dealing. It was a far less formal time, less restricted and structured, and it allowed Carrier to help elevate Madison College into JMU. Carrier was strategic and transformational, and none of us would be here on this board talking JMU sports without his genius.

LR’s tenure, on the other hand, took the form of a non-public presidency. We rarely saw him on campus, and when we did, it was part of a pre-planned appearance. It left many people feeling confused, or that LR was “cold and distant” but LR was seriously busy trying to straighten up many of the awkward things Carrier had left behind, and simultaneously forge a contemporary planning process/structure. Perhaps the most important thing LR did near the beginning of his presidency was hire CK, and their collaboration certainly elevated JMU to new heights.

This is an interesting topic to me, as I was very close to Carrier, who I admired despite his flaws, and worked with LR, who I sometimes questioned. but was a leader who “got it right” making the hard decisions. LR’s “All together One” slogan was a bit corny, but it fit the man.

(07-10-2022 04:42 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-10-2022 10:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-10-2022 06:47 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-09-2022 07:13 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-08-2022 02:50 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...

Sort of like those saying the Sun Belt are beneath JMU academically, the travel would be too great, we'd be on the outskirts of the SB footprint, and the SB doesn't sponsor several of our sports.

I'm just glad App State and GA Southern had the wherewithal to make the move when they did, without those two blazing the trail, this opportunity would never have come to fruition.

Clearly the way Jeff Bourne handled our declining the offer a decade ago, he did so with professional diplomacy. Had he pissed them off, we could be sitting on the outside looking in as Louisiana Tech is doing.

It's working out and seemingly pleasing all but the most ignorant. I haven't seen displeasure in this group, but there were a few expressing negative feedback in "that" Facebook bunch.

Nearly a decade has passed since the supposed first offer to join the SBC was turned down by JMU. It was the correct decision then (made by LR) to to stay in the CAA and develop the athletic program (across all sports). It must not be overlooked that it was in this same time frame that LR also made the decision to “trim” the number of varsity programs. That decision was unpopular, but LR had a plan and vision. LR also laid out a commitment that every JMU varsity sport would offer the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

The official JMU position (oft repeated) but rarely accepted at face value, was that JMU was “monitoring” the situation across the D1 landscape, and that JMU was prepared to move if and (only) when the time was right. Insert the “monitoring” wisecracks here. The SBC also needed time to develop as a conference, especially as a FB conference.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and the good fortune (luck) of being in the right place at the right time can’t be minimized. That accepted, luck favors the prepared, and JMU and the SBC were both now prepared to join forces this time around. It feels right, and by damn, it’s just about a perfect match.

JB and Commissioner Gill deserve credit for their ongoing efforts over the past decade, as does LR, CK and President Alger. It’s time for all the past criticisms of JB, CK, LR and Alger to be set aside, and admit they got it right. Now it’s up to the Duke Club boosters to do their part. After a long chase, JMU is the Duke Dog that has caught the proverbial FBS “car”…what are we going to do with it?

Just so it's understood, my comments in my first paragraph were solely based off of what JMU supporters were saying, not JMU. Though our wonderful coach, EW, tried to blow smoke up my a$$ using the academic excuse.

The only thing you have stated that might be pushing the limit, was about cutting the number of sports we sponsor during that time frame. The beginning of the 2007 season was the effective time frame for the reduction. I don't believe we were on the Sun Belt radar for another five years afterwards. Though President Rose probably was feeling the effects of that decision and didn't want to feel the heat of a divisional move before exiting. I personally heard the attacks made from a parent who's kid was practically forced to leave JMU due to dropping their child's sport. FYI: Rose did what we needed to do, but some students athletes suffered. I have no doubt this decision weighed heavy on his heart.

LR, like any normal human, felt the pain his decisions sometimes inflicted on others. Still, that’s what leaders must endure. Hopefully the leader with the authority to make tough decisions have goals or a purpose in mind that ultimately create a net-positive for the greater good. It still doesn’t negate the pain or individual sacrifice borne by some people (like the student you mention), but again, it’s rare that progress can be made without any pain.

LR was skilled at logistics, and had an excellent feel for how the dominoes had to be lined up so they’d fall “just right.” This was a needed skill-set following Dr. Carrier’s tenure as President. Carrier was a strategic thinker, and he really didn’t care for how the details got worked out so long as his overall “big” picture was realized.

An example of LR’s forward thinking illustrating his skill at “logistics” was the placement and construction of the first parking garage on campus. Locating that garage behind and next to the FB stadium was questioned (strongly) at the time, but LR knew it was going to become a future element of BFS. Many faculty and staff bitched that they were now going to have to start paying for parking to pay for a garage that wasn’t particularly convenient (yes, parking was free for faculty & staff before that garage was built!), but LR had a plan.

LR’s elimination/reorganization of the varsity sports JMU supported was of a like kind of decision making. It wasn’t popular, or universally understood, but LR had a plan.

The biggest problem was LR was trying to implement a future planning process and structure at JMU where none had previously existed. Dr. Carrier’s force of personality and presence on campus (and in the Commonwealth) as a public presidency allowed Carrier to “make it up” as he went about his wheeling and dealing. It was a far less formal time, less restricted and structured, and it allowed Carrier to help elevate Madison College into JMU. Carrier was strategic and transformational, and none of us would be here on this board talking JMU sports without his genius.

LR’s tenure, on the other hand, took the form of a non-public presidency. We rarely saw him on campus, and when we did, it was part of a pre-planned appearance. It left many people feeling confused, or that LR was “cold and distant” but LR was seriously busy trying to straighten up many of the awkward things Carrier had left behind, and simultaneously forge a contemporary planning process/structure. Perhaps the most important thing LR did near the beginning of his presidency was hire CK, and their collaboration certainly elevated JMU to new heights.

This is an interesting topic to me, as I was very close to Carrier, who I admired despite his flaws, and worked with LR, who I sometimes questioned. but was a leader who “got it right” making the hard decisions. LR’s “All together One” slogan was a bit corny, but it fit the man.

I found Rose quite easy to engage in conversation. Whereas, with the awe I carried for Ron Carrier, I never found myself asking questions, but rather watching and listening, possibly answering small talk questions. I can't honestly say much about Alger, other than he seems awkward working a crowd and tends to need a wingman to keep him moving along.