I can't believe that I'm getting ready to see the Dukes of James Madison University play football in a college bowl game. GO DUKES!

With a new coach.

Where's Alabama! Bring them to Bridgeforth.

Go Dukes! - from 1 '85 grad presumably to another.

So many things about JMU have gotten bigger and better. Too often there is a nostalgic look back at the 'good ole days'. I have plenty of memories, but what makes me most happy - is academically JMU is stronger, student experience still appears to be incredible, athletics are excelling across the board at the highest level.

Plus - I even have a small part in fueling this. Rep us well 85! I hope you stay awake for the whole game!

85 grad! Both my sons graduated from JMU, 2017, 2020. We have a great time going back to JMU events - all of them.

Agree, our best days are ahead of us!

Luv my Dukes! Excited about our new HC. I think we got the right man for the job.

Hey, I am still in good shape. I can throw down some cold ones and kick up some dust. It is getting’ harder. Eat less and work out more!

Class of 1985.

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We salute your feathered haircuts, corduroy jeans, Izod shirts and Members Only jackets.

Class of 1986…Blacksburg Middle School.

(12-08-2023 09:26 PM)JMU85 Wrote:  Class of 1985.

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Class of ‘85 rocks!

You guys are OLD! 1988 grad

1987! And JMU played in the “Oyster Bowl” in 1985. But it was just a fund raiser, mid-season game sponsored by the Shriners in Norfolk. They did have some sort of parade with their Grand Poobah hats on. We got whipped by a very good Richmond team that day.

Eff Richmond.

81 grad (obviously).

It was a "basketball school" then and Lou Campanelli was preparing for a shocking run in the NCAA tournament. The basketball Dukes made the first of 3 consecutive March Madness first-round wins against Georgetown, Ohio State and WVU. The 1982 team lost to UNC who had future first-round professional draft selections Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins before losing 52-50. Jordan was limited to six points against the Dukes.

Right before the launch of JMU football getting serious with Charles Haley and Gary Clark making a splash in the years following. Had two classes with Scott Norwood.

What those guys and many others did to help get this program where it is now is amazing.

I remember watching Charles Haley and Gary Clark on the hill. We sat on a couch with beer and watched home football games.

Dec. '82, tuition was about $700 per semester. Loved life and made the best of what JMU and the community offered. Went to every game in every sport that I could get to. Basketball in Godwin was killer. Football, you took your own cooler into the games. Beating UVA was awesome, especially since I had a squeeze there. JMU is now everything I thought we were back then. LoL

(12-10-2023 10:17 AM)olddawg Wrote:  1987! And JMU played in the “Oyster Bowl” in 1985. But it was just a fund raiser, mid-season game sponsored by the Shriners in Norfolk. They did have some sort of parade with their Grand Poobah hats on. We got whipped by a very good Richmond team that day.

Ha, brings back some memories. I’m an ‘84 and had completely forgotten that we had played in the 85 Oyster Bowl. But when I was in high school, late 70s, my future FIL was one of the Grand Poobahs of the Shriners and had stacks of tickets to hand out - W&M vs ECU. So I went.

It was the infamous game where a (probably drunk) ECU coach ran off the sideline and tackled a W&M player.

(12-10-2023 09:59 PM)POTUS#4 Wrote:  

(12-10-2023 10:17 AM)olddawg Wrote:  1987! And JMU played in the “Oyster Bowl” in 1985. But it was just a fund raiser, mid-season game sponsored by the Shriners in Norfolk. They did have some sort of parade with their Grand Poobah hats on. We got whipped by a very good Richmond team that day.

Ha, brings back some memories. I’m an ‘84 and had completely forgotten that we had played in the 85 Oyster Bowl. But when I was in high school, late 70s, my future FIL was one of the Grand Poobahs of the Shriners and had stacks of tickets to hand out - W&M vs ECU. So I went.

It was the infamous game where a (probably drunk) ECU coach ran off the sideline and tackled a W&M player.

Hilarious!