JMU Football Stadium Expansion

[schonemd]

this is not the plan for the stadium anymore. not even close really.

[03Crazy]

@Wacoswim: Give it a few years and then it will look like what they are planning.

GO DUKES!

[Wacoswim]

uhhh im pretty sure this is not JMU's design plan anymore. The home side however is going to be HUMOUNGOUS. But the visitor side is not even really going to be touched

[westonsz]

Do they sell the tickets to justify this?

[JMUDUUUKES]

@westonsz

You're damn right we do!

[westonsz]

@JMUDUUUKES Awesome win and congrats!

[SuperPats08]

its still just easiar to say 1-A

[galept]

Jesus, jrc there is no more 1-A, no more dashes after a number. Period. It's just division 1 FBS and FCS. Pet peeve or not, you should consult an updated encyclopedia or something.

[galept]

jrc you are incorrect. There is no longer 1-A in any shape or form. It is just Div 1 FBS and FCS.

[blazerpride09]

phase 1 is supposed to be done by 2011. the other two phases are still TBA. probably won't know for a while

[the41oh]

@blazerpride09 actually phase 1, and half of phase 3 will be done before the 2011 football season, this includes an upper deck for the visitor stands, and the lower bowl portion. phase 2 and an upper deck for the bowl are at a TBA timeline

[SuperPats08]

supposed to be finished for the 2012 season

[raffitep]

that doesnt make any sense you fucking retard. and mastervate isnt a word idiot

[raulhcsa7]

i havent attended college cuz im 13 years old in the 7th grade retard

[raffitep]

raulhcsa7 how can you say most jmu fans are nerds and then say we need a better education program. And for someone who says that use the right spelling when you say "to". what a fucking dumbass

[raulhcsa7]

Oh so JMU fans are not nerds they are just stupid dumbasses that mastervate all the time.

[mtgrizfankb]

money money money....go ahead move up to FBS. for every boise state ther is 15 Idaho's.

[rigglear]

who said most jmu fans are nerds?

[rigglear]

raulhcsa7, know what your talking about before you say something!

[raulhcsa7]

having a big stadium dosent mean u will defently move up to d1a. for example montanas stadium is huge and dey r still in d1AA. to be a 1A school your school has to have a better education program and has to have a great team that is experinced that is what gets you two 1A

[schwarav]

Dont post things you dont know. JMU has a better education program than MOST D1A teams now. You just sound like an idiot.

[raulhcsa7]

i didnt know dat most jmu fans r nerds

[raulhcsa7]

oh and i didnt know dat cus i am not a jmu fan

[slsnowboarder11]

and it's obvious you haven't attended college, i believe the work your looking for is "to" not "two". When you say "two" it is referring to a quantity or number if you will, but I give you a B+ for effort.

[raulhcsa7]

oh if u r wondering y i type like this is cuz i type like i txt on u tube u retard

[slsnowboarder11]

I guess your right...I mean typing is just so difficult, or should i say diff.

[raulhcsa7]

wtf?????

[SuperPats08]

its not a matter of "IF", JMU is building the stadium because they ARE moving up to FBS. the plans are already in progress

[Logg66]

@SuperPats08 what conference gave JMU a bid? Just curious from a UMass alum looking at UMass hopefully getting a MAC bid...which would leave Delaware and Richmond left in the CAA/former Atlantic 10?

[galept]

James Madison University already has one of the best academic programs in the state of Virginia, being rated higher than Virginia Tech.  You do not have to have a great team to be 1A, just ask Idaho. By the way, you look about 10 years old... why are you taking the time to talk about a JMU football stadium?

[raulhcsa7]

how much people can it hold

[TheParalyzer13]

Thats gonna be sweet. Can't wait till its done. Go Dukes!

[statefan888]

is this for a potential jump do d-1a? (screw the fb/cs crap)

[ClingingMars]

wow, some people are quite bitter.

[SuperPats08]

i hope JMU still has the Parade of Champions marching band competition in the stadium, that'll be sweet to march in!

[bsurbs]

they're saying that the stadium should hold 30-35,000. filling out the stadium shouldn't be a problem since new va legislation is requiring jmu to add about 8000 extra students within the next 5 years. go dukes!!!

[jmudukes07]

Wrong wrong wrong...

The new stadium will hold 40,000-50,000. The first phase though will only expand the stadium to 25,000. And VA legislation has us increasing enrollment to 20,500 which is up 3,500 from what we are now.

Did get one thing right though...we won't have any problem selling this thing out!

GO DUKES!

[whteboyzcanjump11]

fuck the dukesssssssssssss!!

[wilsonkm]

Sorry man....not appropriate for this comment section. Gotta have better sportsmanship than that....

[jmudukes07]

Guessing since he can't spell "white" and assuming that 11 is how many years it took him to finish college...I am thinking he probably goes to App State.

However if 11 is how many years he spent in prison he is probably from VA Tech.

And then again...if 11 is how many years he has lived in his mom's basement then hands down he is a Mason student, haha.

[whteboyzcanjump11]

guess again, I go to jmu.

[bricklayer243]

Class of 84. I'm cool with the expansion, it's clear that App State and other big games will draw 25k if we're in the hunt, which has been consistent over the last 6-7 years. I'd hate to see us go FBS. The FCS rivalries are so great right now, with football traditions that are just getting started for us (ASU, Richmond, W&M if they can ever get consistent). But Dukes fans have shown they will support a successful program. And $100 for a ticket to ASU? I like the expansion. RODNEY FOR THE PEYTON!

[mjp407]

that looks like it would hold a good 40,000people. would they ever be able to fill it?i would rather see jmu stay at the fcs level. yes, fbs would give better exposure,revenue ect. but i think it is fine the way it is and id rather play for a championship each year making less money than what would probably happen in FBS, where they'd probably play in a crappy conference. for example, look at idaho, they made the move they suck in fcs. most programs that make the jump dont end up like boise st.

[RHog4life]

whats the new capacity going to be...go app state!

[SuperPats08]

no i believe you mean crap state

[TheGrabadora]

Glorious.

[ljordan32]

personally i live very close to jmu and go to all of the games and i believe that the stadium upgrades are more than just money when in 2004 we won the national championship and now the stadium is packed every week... Next week we play appalachain state who only beat us off of luck last year in the playoffs at this game they are projecting 17,000 fans whereas the stadium only seats 15,000 the upgrades are needed

GO DUKES!!!

[RHog4life]

app st. gets 30,000 to their games and the stadium only hold 24,000...get on our level

[Dcentofante]

lol, get on ours

35-32 baby

[th0mmeh]

We don't all have grass hills that can support the excess people. For big games, students have to get their tickets beforehand, can't just walk up to the gate.

[natsastros]

JMU is D1 football.... you mean BCS? I personally would rather see the football program and school grow. It'll increase the value of the degree, as more people have then heard of JMU. I still know alot of folks just outside the mid-atlantic that have never even heard of the school.

Second, I'd like to be able to live anywhere in the country and have the opportunity to watch the game on some sports package i order. :D

[galept]

Stadiums are everything. They mean we're dedicated to the program. That'll bring a good coach who sees the dedication and will then bring the talent we're looking for. A new football stadium could give rise to a long overdue new basketball arena!

[SuperPats08]

we dont need to bring in a new coach. mickey matthews is the best thing to ever happen to JMU football

[galept]

I was referring to the basketball program. We have a new coach, but I'm not sure how much he can really bring to the table. A new arena may get us what we need because he'll see JMU's dedication to the program. I think a new football stadium is a sign that we're in the mode of upgrading our facilities.

[rallycap11]

I see where you're coming from and understand that I'm probably in the minority on this one. Sure, big time D1 football brings revenue but at what price - do I really need to explain? I love that we have a competitive D1 FCS team that competes for national championships, reasonable ticket prices, and a program that brings respect to the university. I don't think moving to D1 is better for the school. I'd be embarrassed to have a program like Tech and UVA. I hope I'm not alone in this thinking.

[rallycap11]

We're in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (in other words not Division I in the sense most football fans think of it). In fact, most people who didn't go to an FCS school have no idea what that even means. I'm sure you realize that. It may be called Division I, but it's not nearly in the same category as UVA and Tech. That's what I like about JMU Football. We have a playoff system, a good team, and a lot less of the nonsense that makes Tech and UVA footbal so disgraceful.

[rallycap11]

I love JMU and am a huge sports fan, but this video makes me absolutely sick. It's all about money and to me that's not the JMU I knew. I hope we have no desire to go to Division I. Stadium suites and all that other garbage have nothing to do with football and more to do with money. Ticket prices will increase. Expanding the stadium to seat a few thousand more fans is fine, but this is way too much. UVA and VaTech football are a disgrace and we should have no desire to be like them.

[Dcentofante]

ummm we are division one

[mrescobar11]

why would you say that? it's better for the school. creates more exposure and yes, generates revenue which allows you to obtain more resources to continue to better the institution. jmu is a great school and i think it would be awesome for them to have a successful D1 program

[n0dr0g488]

Your an idiot, why would you not want this upgrade? "It's all about money"?? It's about getting more people into the stadium

Putting JMU on the map would be great and this is a perfect way to do that, this upgrade is desperately needed and is a good move in my opinion as a current student.

[coleygirl89]

You're*

Come on, Make JMU proud! :P

[galept]

I don't see why it wouldn't be all about money. They're trying to make profits, remember. Also, JMU has the potential to be a top academic institution. A bigger stadium is fine, but now I hear that the college enrollment is going up to 21,000 by 2013. The best schools in the country are not the biggest. UVA is an extremely rare exception, mostly due to its prestigious history. JMU is not the pride of the state, though, so how can we pull off what UVA has done?

[Haghead55]

long way from veterans memorial stadium.

[shorn2455]

First of all JMU Duke you have no idea about JMU and there Title IX "compliance problems." They cut 1/2 of the sport programs so that they could cover the football deficit. Second off, the board of visitors were the poeple to make the decision to cut the teams. Jeff Bourne did not even show up to tell us that the teams were being cut because he is a C*NT. And so you ask yourself, because they made this cuts are they in compliance now?

[jmudukes07]

cover the football deficit???

not one cent went to football...that is a fact your very own SOS morons admitted to...but please, continue to argue your point. Fact remains, all division one football programs in the country are in a deficit for the most part. JMU is no different. JMU couldnt even buy a new field goal post with the the money "saved" by cutting sports.

Once again, lets try to get this thread on topic...look at that stadium...ain't she a beaut!

[nickdball3]

when is this expansion supposed to take place?

[SuperPats08]

during the off seasons in the next three years

[ryan24061999]

i will laugh when they do not even fill half of this stadium up

[FTIXsos]

What a way to honor the teams and athletes that were cut. Creating a stadium for the one team that causes the most Title IX problems.

The jmu administration and bov should be ashamed.

[jmudukes07]

Way to bash the one team that brings in enough money so that all those other sports can function.

ALL TITLE IX COMPLAINERS, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING!!!

The football team got none of the title IX money. 2% of the athletic budget was saved from these cuts (so obviously not for money). This is a federal law, not a JMU decision, and lastly THIS VIDEO IS ABOUT A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM AND AT NO TIME HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH TITLE IX SPORTS.

GO DUKES!!!

[FTIXsos]

An asst. AD said football does not make money and does cause title IX problems. Football does not support any other teams and certainly does not pay for stadium facilities.

The real issue is whether or not the administration takes a stand to set a good example.

Agreed the stadium is nice, and has nothing to do with Title IX. Maybe it will make everyone forget how poorly the admin. and bov acted when they missed their chance to do the right thing for all jmu sports.

[jmudukes07]

FTIX, the reason football does not make any money at JMU (or any school for that matter. Almost 300 D1 football programs & only 10 make a profit) is because the money from football goes toward off setting costs for the athletic department. Football brings in more money than all other sports combined. It does go towards those other sports.

Once again, JMU was out of compliance, i.e. breaking the law, so how was their decision bad? They didnt handle it well but it wasnt their decision to make.

[FTIXsos]

Football is a great part of college life. but let's not be naive about the costs involved. 

Some football programs make money from Bowl games and TV, but the vast majority do not-- and it is not because they support the athletic depts. Football is just another sport that not only does not break even, but loses more than any other sport. It also causes more Title IX problems than any other team.

jmu didn't try to work within the compliance laws, but gave in to the easiest way out.

[jmudukes07]

With all due respect FTIX...you have no idea how hard the JMU admin tried to avoid this decision. They faced all of this in 2002 and for 5 years tried to find every way out they could. I know all too well about the "3 ways to comply" and JMU did not want to cut these sports.  I understand you are passionate about your statements because of your relation to the programs cut. However, JMU's admin hated making this decision and its unfair for you to judge that which you don't know.

[FTIXsos]

I was involved in 2002 when they failed to make the cuts permanent. The next 5 years were spent plotting and preparing to finish what they tried to do in 2002. I have spoken to enough jmu coaches and admin. types that dispute your impression of their motives.

jmu didn't try to work within the compliance laws, but gave in to the easiest way out.

[jmudukes07]

Here are the facts...

- JMU was not within the boundaries of the law

- JMU choose the best of 3 options (I too have had my fair share of interactions with coaches and admin)

- This video has nothing to do with title IX so why bring it up and trash the university who put their name on your diploma so that you are able to have the job you have and make the living that you do.

GO DUKES!!!

Here's to another national championship in 2008!!!

9/20/08 - BEAT APP STATE!!!!!!!!!

[MVillani1985]

I think App State is probably going to blow out James Madison. They have a good chance of beating LSU at the beginning of the season, so we'll see what happens from there.

[jmudukes07]

"They have a good shot of beating LSU"

That might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard...

Blowing out JMU is the second dumbest thing, haha

[MVillani1985]

Just like last year people said that the idea of Appalachian State upsetting Michigan was the dumbest thing they ever heard, right? Wasn't Appalachian State supposed to get killed? Up until then, Youngstown State playing Penn State to 37-3 was considered a moral victory for Division I-AA programs (they stopped PSU's running and passing game cold in the first quarter).

[Dcentofante]

haha anthony WC, yea you graduated soooo long ago. I bet you jmu was so much cooler back when you went there.

why cant i make an emoticon that rolls its eyes?

[mcnam2jp]

I am! Right here. The cuts had nothing to do about football and I am sorry your sport got cut. Bashing the university is going to get you no where. You have to move on!

[ljfernandez25]

no way in hellll would they have a chance to be in the Big East, C-USA if youre lucky but i dont think JMU won't be in a 1-A conference anytime soon but its a nice expansion

[mcnam2jp]

Ryan this is NOT ABOUT FOOTBALL!!! It is about fielding teams that can all compete at the top of the conference. As a result of the cuts, no additional money is going to support football. The money went to the remaining sports who had previously not been fully funded. Sports like Tennis and Golf. Those sports are already seeing the benefits of having scholarships. I am sorry that mens track got cut and I feel for the athletes who were hurt by the decision, but that does not make the decision bad

[ryan24061999]

tell that to the track team and the track alum

[SuperPats08]

i honestly think track is as stupid as nascar, just instead of driving and turning left, you're running and turning left

[mcnam2jp]

The decision was made to get in line with Title IX and to have an athletic program where all of the teams are consistently competing for conference championships. It was a disgrace to have teams in a tier system. The teams that were cut even had different mission statements. If you are going to field a team, fully support them, or dont field them at all. JMU made the right decision. Did they announce it the right way? No, but the decision was right!

[mcnam2jp]

Who cuts track? A smart AD. A school like JMU could not afford to support such a high number of sports. Its a fact. I am sorry your programs got cut, but get over it. All of you saying you would have given to JMU, but won't now are entitled to your opinion. However, support for JMU athletics is at an all time high. All of our programs are now funded and are recruiting better than ever. I am sorry your sports got cut, but it was something that had to be done! This was NOT about football

[ryan24061999]

Phil Vassar said he would donate, which would be a great thing but JMU said no. Dude we need to be fair, its not all about football, and I love the sport played it in highschool, THEY ARE FUCKING CUTTING WOMANS SPORTS NOW. This is outrageous they will not see a fucking cent of my money til they bring back mens track and field

[jmudukes07]

Wow...seriously???

It doesn't matter who was right and who was wrong. This is a video dealing with stadium expansion. Will the title IX kids go away. No wonder so few people supported you and rallied behind you guys. Instead of trying to make a positive change and fight the title IX law, you bash your school, your athletic program, and the people running it.

JMU's football program (and entire athletic program) is something every Duke should be proud of! Get behind it or go home!

[anthonywc5]

The new JMU is now UVA..I am glad i grad in O3'. ALL-AM LJmper from JMU who wish sometimes i just went to VT where they care about the program. I support JMU but the new students there are far from what JMU was about. That school reminds me of UVA.

[rdwilliams1]

Oh and good luck to JMU getting into a 1-A conference, the only conferences they even have a chance of getting into are the big east and C-USA and in order to join a BCS conference such as the Big East they would have to join in all other sports, and the big east already has 17 teams in basketball and will not let in anymore. C-USA has a perfect setup of two six team divisions with a championship game. Good luck with that one.

[ljfernandez25]

no way in hellll would they have a chance to be in the Big East, C-USA if youre lucky and JMU won't be in a 1-A conference anytime soon.

[galept]

It is not uncommon to bring in more than one school into a major conference.

[rdwilliams1]

The bottom line is that JMU used title IX as a scapegoat to eliminate the sports teams that they didn't want to have anymore. No school has ever gotten reprimanded for being out of compliance with title IX and JMU was the only school that used the gender proportionality clause of compliance with title IX in the entire NCAA. JMU should just come forward and admit to all of the athletes that they wronged for lying to them about the reason that they cut the sports.

[mcnam2jp]

and the future of JMU Athletics has never been brighter. new facilities coming for Baseball, softball, tennis,field hockey lacrosse, soccer, track and field, swimming, football and basketball. Duke club donations are at an all time high and our fuly funded sports are competing at the top of the conference. So all of you who say this was just about football, could not me more wrong!

[mcnam2jp]

What about wrestling and gymnastics? I was even told by the swimming coach that they were having a tough time competing without scholarships and that was why there was so much turnover in the coaching staff. Did some athletes rise up and deliver for JMU without scholarships? yes, but the teams were hurting badly and their term stability could not be maintained without scholarships. Its just a fact. I am sorry they were cut, but JMU can not support that many sports. Now JUM sports are funded

[RHog4life]

Holy shit, I'm an app state guy, and i thought our stadium enhancements were huge...this is bigtime...

[SuperPats08]

its so more people can see us beat you.

[Cavfan2011]

I can't wait until all the improvements are made to Bridgeforth Stadium. These improvements should certainly help bring in recruits. I think this will be an amamzing improvement for JMU.

[rdwilliams1]

are you kidding me, weren't able to compete without scholarships, i was on the swim team here and our team broke 3 school records from back in the scholarship era of the team and with a new coach, went from 7th to 3rd, beating many teams with scholarships, not to mention the track and field teams constantly sent runners to the NCAA track meet, and oh, also, legit OLYMPIC caliber archers, so i guess we couldnt compete. get your facts straight before you mouth off about not competing without money

[mcnam2jp]

Why do all of you Save the Sports people have to come on here and trash stadium expansion. While I am sorry that your sports got cut, it has nothing to do with this project. Could Jeff Bourne have handled it better? Yes, but it's over. What do you get by continuing to trash the athletic administration. Your sports were not able to compete without scholarhips and it was time to make a change. All of the remaining sports are now getting fully supported. The future of JMU Athletics is bright!

[jmudukes07]

Ultimatefish67...what the heck does any of this Title IX stuff have to do with stadium expansion?????

Go complain about your title IX nonsense to the federal government. While JMU wasn't wrong in what they did, even if they were, it has nothing to do with the stadium expansion.

You wanna know facts? How about no money from the cuts goes to football or that the money saved is 2% of the athletic budget. They were not within compliance, it has nothing to do with the stadium, get over it!

[coolrevenge]

is this really going to happen!?!?!??!?! i go to JMU mickey mathew's football camp everyyear!!!! i would love to practice in a huge stadium....im a Vt Hokie, BUT JMU IS AWESOME>>>GREAT DIVISION 2 SCHOOL!!!!!

[shanefalco116]

JMU isn't a D2 school.

[hommys47]

owned!!!!!! the drive to D1 continues

[mcnam2jp]

I love how misinformed some of you are. Dont pay attention to those who say they will not give money to JMU because they cut the teams who could not compete at the NCAA level. They would not have donated anyway. Trust me JMU will survive without your ten dollar donation haha

[ryan24061999]

hey fucker im making 100,000 and id love to donate to JMU, but who cuts track honestly what the fuck

[snuball65]

Jeff Bourne didn't cut teams, the BOV decided who to cut. Three women's teams were cut b/c Title IX established percentages to be applied, not raw numbers of teams.

Don't hate on the checkers team.

[ultimatefish67]

Look, I know that, but the fact is Jeff Bourne is a LEADER of the Athletic Department at JMU. He is going to be held responsible for what happens good or bad. Hey 'snuball65' did you know that HE gives all the "facts" to the BOV. The information that he presented at that BOV meeting is inaccurate. Have you read or hear of any way that Bourne even tried to fight for the teams. HELL NO!! Cause he didn't fight for us.

[ultimatefish67]

Jeff Bourne didn't even have the courage to tell us athletes that we were cut. Friday Sept.29, we (the cut athletes) met in the Convocation center to be told that we were cut. BUT not by Jeff Bourne, no it was a bunch of the people he works with under him. Jeff Bourne was at a press conference telling everyone else that we were cut! I don't care if the protocol says that he has to address the press. He should of looked at us face to face, told us, apologized, AND THEN tell the press.

[somf4eva]

guess this means no more throwing balloons at drunk idiots from the parking garage.

[longworth34]

The foundation for big time college football at J mad is set! more cheers and beers for the dukes.. if only we had a good mens hoops team..

[bethiea]

This is awesome....way to go Dukes! However, as a 1984 grad, I have to say I'm glad I was there when you could still sit on "the hill" near the railroad tracks and drink a beer while you watched the game :)

[lookitsdanielle]

My dad graduated in 1987! Whenever I complain about the crap seats at the north end of the stadium he tells me,

"Hey, I tried to help you. I had a 'Save the Hill' t-shirt!" :P

[bethiea]

LOL...glad to know someone else feels my pain! Long live "the Hill!"

[honeysalgal]

Move over UVA! The improvements at JMU will place the University as one of the premier in the nation! I am so proud that my daughter got to play field hockey in the old Bridgeforth Stadium. Good luck JMU!

[a2ldsn1srl]

can't wait to sit in this stadium as an alumni!!! :) GO DUKES!

[nakidnfamous]

impressive plan. Would JMU be able to fill a stadium that size? Obviously JMU has aspirations of joining the Big East.

[Dandaman245]

I think its worthy to note that there was no scoreboard in the video. Obviously, they will probably save the current one, and place it atop the north end zone concourse. This is definitely bold and will take a long while to happen, and undoubtedly there will be revisions to this!

[billtwins]

I graduated in 1981, back then the parents were usually the only folks who attended. I am proud of JMU for its growth and athletic accomplishment, however; our growth really needs to be tempered as a proper mix with both current need and future growth. Nice model as all JMU projects are usually done in a first class way, but let's slow done a bit. I went to the homecoming game this past fall............we weren't even 3/4 full in the current stadium against an in-state rival, Richmond.

[Longhorn1972]

Obviously you've not been careful follower of JMU FB in recent years. As a major booster let me help set the record straight. The stadium was sold out for ALL games last year, and has been over capacity for several years now. Those are the facts, with a season attendance average of over 15k, in a stadium with only 12k permanent seats. Hence your comment that the '07 homecoming was "3/4 full" makes you sound like an idiot.

[feersty]

Class of 2005 here. It was always fun watching the game from the fourth floor hallway of Shorts.

[hittiezm]

None of this will happen overnight - its just the site "Master Plan" - or what they envision to be there by the end of the construction, which has no timeline. Phase 1 (identified by the video) is the only thing JMU is trying to commit to right now. If approved by the Virginia General Assembly, $52 Million will go to phase I only. That includes the construction of permanent seating in the north endzone (+4000 seats) following the 2008 football season.

[hittiezm]

Following the 2009 season the current "Home" seating will be demolished and the lower deck of the 2-tiered structure will be built. Following the 2010 season, the upper deck will be added. Theoretically, JMU opens a 24,900 something-seat stadium for the opening of the 2011 season. The remaining phases have no time line. It will take plenty of time to fill that 25K stadium before the opposite side is demolished and rebuilt.

[hittiezm]

It just goes to show that if/when JMU football explodes (or goes I-A, not part of the plan at this point), there is a plan to add the facility to handle the capacity. And if cutting a few varsity sports was so important enough to contribute $500-600K to this project - you're dreaming. It's a drop in the bucket for what this master plan will cost in the end. Awesome vision by the JMU Administration.

[lautenjk]

im just sad i wont be able to enjoy it as a student, from the looks of it, its gonna take a long time

[snuball65]

Furthermore, Title 9 and that stupid quota killed our Archery dynasty and the other sports. The cuts were about "equality", not money.

[ultimatefish67]

ARE YOU SERIOUS! Come on! Doesn't anybody here do any kind of research before they punch a comment out? I'm sure that you didn't know that 90% of all universities in the country are out of Title IX compliance. Now tell me why, AFTER FIVE YEARS, JMU suddenly decided to comply with the law. One more thing, this may be off topic, but if it WAS to comply, they could of at least told me before I came as a freshman to run track last year. I came here assuming I would run to nationals. JMU lied to me.

[ryan24061999]

hey amen dude, my girl was a CC runner for jmu and they wont get a fucking cent of my money til they bring back mens track

[blazerpride09]

i actually did a research paper on title ix and that was one of my strongest arguements about how JMU lied to all of the recruits. as well as how more than half of america's universities are out of compliance. that really sucks dude. i'm sorry.

[blazerpride09]

i actually did a research paper on title ix and that was one of my strongest arguements about how JMU lied to all of the recruits. as well as how more than half of america's universities are out of compliance. that really sucks dude. i'm sorry.

[SuperPats08]

well apparently you didn't do your research before coming to jmu

[ultimatefish67]

Ok "super" here's the deal. Do you honestly think that that kind of information is open to the public? Universities don't just throw that information out for people to know. What kind of college athlete who is recruited for a school checks if a school is going to cut programs the next year. JMU did not make that info public because they got approx. $2 million out of 144 athletes for one year. Yeah "Super" your right, next time I'll hire a private investigator to spy on my future school.

[ultimatefish67]

"Super" don't start writing things before you have looked into what it's all about. The decision to cut the sports was done by a committee called the Board of Visitors. Maybe you should look that up. "didn't do your research before coming to JMU" They ASKED me to come run for them!! Why the HELL would they ask me to come run if they knew they would cut me... FOR MY MONEY!!! But seriously, maybe you should do some research before writing about things that you don't know about.

[cybervipr]

You're right, you should do some research. Not giving any warning to athletes and coaches was very wrong, but see to say the cuts were about money is just ignorant. There was much more going on behind the scenes that JMU had no control over.

[ultimatefish67]

ok so forgive me if the previous statement I made sounded one tracked. The sports were cut for many reasons. Too many reasons for me to care anymore.

I be straight up with you... I was one of those athletes that got cut.

I know more about this topic than most people who just throw their opinions up on a comment section. I spent, literally, days scrapping at the ground trying to get my sport back and find out why this all happened.

[ultimatefish67]

OK I'll accept that it was ultimately the BOV decision to cut the sports.

But in history (and this is relevant in this case as well) the leaders of something are held responsible for the good and bad of any case.

Linwood Rose, Jeff Bourne and all others who are entities of JMU leadership just sat there and nodded their head as my hard work was spit on. Hard work for this university.

But I have moved on.

I'm not moping around today, "That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

[soldier9599]

They cut sports because of title IX. Period. It has nothing to do with JMU, but the national government.

[ultimatefish67]

I can't resist but say this...

Did you know that 95% of the universities in this country are out of compliance with Title IX. Umm... gee that's strange, I wounder why all of the sudden JMU just wanted to do the lawful thing.

Oh and F.Y.I: They had already tried to cut sports here at JMU before. Back in 2001 they had plans to cut 6 varsity sports, but when the media caught wind of it and started asking questions they backed down. Hmm... that's funny. We (JMU) were out of compliance then too.

[ultimatefish67]

Oh don't worry "soldier9599" I am fully aware that Title IX needs changes. I'm not saying abolish, but make amendments. Change the rules.

I am apart of the group that is lobbying to change the Title IX law right now. A lovely group full of successful lawyers, funny most of them were JMU alumni athletes.

Bottom line:

Yes legally Title IX says follow the rules. Except no one does!

Blame "national goverment"

But the leaders here at JMU need to own up and accept responsibility.

[ultimatefish67]

"soldier9599" have you read my other posts? Mostly everyone's defense for the JMU sports cut's are based off of half-witted arguments. Again I experience this whole thing FIRST HAND. I would be honestly impressed if you knew more about this than I do. I did spend a couple of years trying to get my sport back.

Side note: The NATIONAL School Board (in DC) disagrees with JMU decision to cut the sports.

[FTIXsos]

ultimatefish67 is right, again! 

Glad to see someone has this sad story straight.

[snuball65]

Seriously people...the money saved from cutting the men's checkers team and whatever other sports we got rid of wouldn't even put a dent in the bill for this expansion, and NO, your tuition is not paying for it. Both the expansion and the Plecker center are from private donations from donors such as the late Zane Showker and Mr. Robert Plecker. The plecker center alone had over 600 donors. Don't forget what sport pays the bills....donors clearly haven't.

[DewJunkie]

Actually the breeze said that tuition will see a slight increase to help fund the stadium but not much. It's going to hold 40,000 fans and i believe costs 52 mil to build it. Also I think it's supposed to be done by 2011 or maybe that was just phase 1 I'm not sure exactly. And the sports cuts were to actually meet Title IX not for this supposed money they saved...not to go I-A or any of those rumors that Save Our Sports started

[ultimatefish67]

I don't know who you are but you better try to show some more respect for the athletes that got cut. "Checkers team." I don't care much for all this cause here's the thing: Jeff Borne straight up lied to me (I'm one of those "checker" players you were talking about). So if they cut the teams because of Title IX then why did they cut THREE girls teams. Oh, by the way, JMU this semester is already out of Title IX compliance again. If we cut another guy team we can't be in the NCAA.

[mcnam2jp]

Money saved by cutting the sports IS NOT going to fund the stadium. That money went to fully fund the remaining sports at JMU. All you "Save the Sports" advocates need to get your facts straight. JMU is not just building a football stadium, they are upgrading and improving every single sports facility including new baseball and softball stadiums, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, new field hockey, track, and lacrosse stadiums, new pool and increased rec facilities.

[jmudukes07]

uhawks is an idiot...The money cut went to fund scholarships to all other under funded sports. Even if it went towards the stadium (which it isnt) the money they saved from cutting the sports was less than 1% of the cost of this new stadium. Research before you say something dumb like that.

On that note...GO DUKES!!!

[johnnyb79904]

oh man! this looks awesome...i wonder how long it will take to build it..and i wonder how much it will raise my tuition....

[outdors1]

Essentially JMU will be bigger than Harrisonburg soon. Sweet!

[snuball65]

OMG! That is siiiiiick. I'm seriously ready to donate now... I'm so PROUD!!!! Screw the chokies... GO DUKES

PS- What if we demolish the new performing arts center and use the scraps for part of the expansion?

[lukesackett]

snuball - how about we drown you in Newman Lake. Go back to dirty Jersey and stop putting your dick through a bagel.

[mcnam2jp]

Looks amazing! JMU is finally creating a athletics hub where alumni and students will be able to celebrate all things JMU. Lets raise the money and make this happen!

[bklisten]

They really should have just demolished it and turned it into a music performance center.

[SuperPats08]

so football can play where?

[Fan4cavs]

JMU equals the next South Florida!

[blazerpride09]

i'm pumped!!!!!!!!

[cowpiev7]

wow

[Dcentofante]

incredible