College GameDay Brought JMU Together and Embodied Our Spirit
JMU in the Community
SUMMARY: College GameDay is a day I'll never forget. The JMU community had the opportunity to show everyone what we're really all about.
In 2011, James Madison University students experienced an earthquake. This fall there was another — of a decidedly different variety. But this time around the seismic impact was even greater when ESPN’s College GameDay was broadcast from the Quad. Marketing and communications intern, Rachel Petty (’17) was there.
Hundreds of signs, purple and gold streamers and spirited students, faculty and alumni fill the quad. Chants of “J-M-U, J-M-U, J-M-U” are heard from all around. ESPN’s College GameDay hosts take the stage, and the crowd erupts.
College GameDay is a day I’ll never forget. The JMU community had the opportunity to show everyone what we’re really all about.
JMU students have such pride and spirit that we were truly able to exhibit on Saturday (October 24). Everyone was decked out in purple and gold, holding signs and cheering for our school.
The GameDay atmosphere was truly an embodiment of JMU—thousands of students attended the event, some having camped out all night.
JMU students are the perfect example of “work hard, play hard.” While we take academics seriously, there was no hesitation in putting our all into GameDay and Homecoming.
The excitement didn’t end when the broadcast ended—after tailgating, I stood in the sold-out stadium, surrounded by a sea of purple. It was packed for the football game from start to finish, and I could feel the energy in the air—signs, pom-poms and streamers contributed to the overwhelming support the fans provided for the Dukes.
Even though the game didn’t turn out how we would have liked it to [JMU lost to in-state rival Richmond], we cheered until the end and showed the team that we truly do care.
GameDay was the perfect opportunity for JMU to come together. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., campus was filled with students, faculty and alumni who love JMU and are proud to be Dukes.
Win or lose, the overwhelming spirit and atmosphere there was on Saturday made it a day that I’ll surely never forget.
Dukes from day one, alumni for life.
