Showker Family Gift Elevates JMU Sport Clubs

Thanks to a generous $25,000 gift from Joe and Debbie Showker, JMU Sport Clubs are now traveling in comfort and style. Their donation supported the purchase of two vans dedicated to sport club use through University Recreation (UREC).

“Sport Clubs are an important part of the JMU student experience, with over 2,200 students participating in 48 active clubs,” said Eric Nickel, Director of University Recreation. “This gift directly supports our students by helping them travel safely to off-campus practices and competitions. We are so thankful for donations like this that increase institutional support and reduce the financial burden on student members.”

The new vans have already made an impact. Peyton Ray, President of Women’s Club Basketball, shared, “We recently used the UREC vans for our regional tournament at UMD, and the team had a great experience. Being together in one vehicle instead of multiple ones allowed us to make new memories and have a fun time together for the weekend!” 
Natalie Ellis, Vice President of the Women’s Lacrosse Club, echoed that sentiment: “The vans are easy to drive, good on gas, and the process was smooth. They made the traveling experience easier and everyone could be in the same space at once.”

The Showkers, longtime supporters of JMU, continue to demonstrate their deep commitment to student success. Dr. Tim Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs, expressed his gratitude:

“Joe and Debbie Showker have consistently shown overwhelming support to JMU and our students over the years. I’m honored they chose to provide essential support to the thousands of club athletes who manage all aspects of their organizations as players, coaches, managers, fundraisers—and even drivers. The Showker family has stepped up once again to make a difference in the lives of our students and I am incredibly grateful to them for their love of JMU.”

Thank you, Joe and Debbie—your generous gift will benefit JMU students this fall and for many semesters to come. 

To learn more about how you can support the student experience at JMU, please contact Development Officer Andrew Wingard at wingarrt@jmu.edu or 540-568-7879.