ODU, JMU hold spots in coaches poll
The top seven teams remain unchanged in this week’s FCS Coaches poll. North Dakota State (No.1), Montana State (No.2), Old Dominion (No.4), Wofford (No.5), and Eastern Washington (No.7) went a combined 5-0 over the weekend, while Youngstown State (No.3) and James Madison (No.6) held their spots after being idle last weekend.
Georgia Southern moved up one spot to No.8 after defeating conference foe and then-No.25 Samford 35-16. Sam Houston State (No.9) and Lehigh (No.10) each moved up one spot to round out the Top 10. Read more
JMU’s Thorpe granted sixth year of eligibility
James Madison quarterback Justin Thorpe (Richmond, Va./Varina) has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, announced today. He will now be listed as a redshirt junior for JMU for the remainder of the season.
Thorpe had a season-ending injury as a true freshman in 2008 and then was injured also in the first half of the 2010 season opener against Morehead State, which ended that season. In cases where there have been two season ending injuries early in the year, application can be made for a sixth year, though it is not always granted. Read more
Jazz 4 Justice concert benefits community, JMU scholarships
The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University is partnering with the Virginia State Bar’s Diversity Conference to present “Jazz 4 Justice,” featuring JMU’s Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Chuck Dotas, award-winning faculty members and a special guest conductor. This second annual concert benefiting the Diversity Conference, Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc. and JMU’s School of Music scholarships will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m. in the Forbes Center Concert Hall.
“Jazz 4 Justice” will feature hits from the big-band swing era including music by Gil Evans, Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own instruments to participate in a post-concert jam session in the Forbes Center Grand Lobby. Read more
Career day for Thorpe lifts JMU over Rhode Island
Redshirt-senior quarterback Justin Thorpe had his first career 300-yard passing game to lead #6/7 James Madison football team to a 32-7 victory in their Colonial Athletic Association opener at Rhode Island, Sept. 22. The Dukes are now 11-3 in CAA openers under head coach Mickey Matthews and move to 3-1 and 1-0 in the CAA, while the Rams fall to 0-3 and 0-2 in league play.
Thorpe had career highs in completions, attempts and yards, going 26-for-40 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver De’Andre’ Smith had a career-high eight receptions for 53 yards and one rushing score, while redshirt-junior receiver Renard Robinson had a career-high 87 yards and one touchdown on three catches. Read more
James Madison men’s basketball staff adds Jordan, Dowell
Matt Brady, James Madison men’s basketball head coach, on Tuesday announced the addition of Lucious Jordan and Sam Dowell to the program’s staff. Jordan will serve as director of basketball operations for the Dukes while Dowell will fill the role of graduate assistant coach.
“We’re excited that Lucious has joined our staff,” commented Brady regarding his new operations director. “He is a former very successful student-athlete who graduated from the University at Albany in 2006. He clearly understands the demands of a student-athlete and the need to balance your time and your energies between the classroom and the basketball court. He demonstrated that during his time at Loyola of Maryland and when he transferred home to Albany.” Read more
JMU among six teams in I-AA Top 25
The concept that CAA Football teams are lurking in the shadows seems a little strange. The CAA had become the FCS’ dominant conference, only to take a step backward on the national scene last year. But as CAA teams try to reaffirm lofty status among the best in the FCS, the conference is still home to the most ranked teams this season.
The CAA had six teams in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 on Monday, led by Old Dominion and James Madison. Read more
