JMU President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne spoke to The Breeze about the first year of the "Dukes Do Better" initiative, and how the department hopes to make the message stick as the attendance grows.

JMU's newly remodeled Convocation Center houses seven Olympic sports, two weight rooms, a nutrition center and an athletic training room. While the Convo serves athletes more efficiently now, fans are also accommodated with new, plastic seats with backs, something they didn't have in Godwin Hall. 

JMU cross country released its 2023 schedule on Thursdays, which features seven meets across four states. Last season, the Dukes finished third at the Sun Belt Championships before finishing 19th at the NCAA Southeast Regional, falling to qualify for the championships.

16 years ago, JMU Athletics cut 10 sports to stay in compliance with Title IX, an amendment prohibiting discrimination within federally funded programs. Sports Editor Madison Hricik and Online Managing Editor Savannah Reger detail that period in JMU Athletics history and look at how its impacts are still affecting the organization today. 

JMU hired a new cross country and track & field director for this season, Delethea Quarles. After spending seven years at the University of South Carolina, she shares her story with staff writer Zach Mendenhall. 

JMU cross country finished third of 13 teams in the Sun Belt Conference championship, with three runners placing in the top 20 and all seven placing in the top 50.

JMU cross country finished among the top quarter of 34 teams Friday at the ECAC Championships in the Bronx, New York. The eighth-place finish was catalyzed by senior Miranda Stanhope's fifth-place time, 21:20, among a 354-runner field.

JMU cross country finished 28th of 46 teams Friday at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Up next for the Dukes is the ECAC Championship on Oct. 14 in Bronx, New York.

JMU competed in its second meet of the season at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Friday at the Buford Meredith Cross Country Course, finishing fourth among 10 teams.

JMU cross country is gearing up for its first meeting Saturday morning in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Staff writer Zach Mendenhall breaks down how they've readied. 

JMU cross country released its 2022 schedule Thursday morning, announced by now-retired head coach Dave Rinker.

Dave Rinker announced his retirement from coaching JMU cross country after 23 years Friday morning, per press release. JMU has begun a national search for its next coach. 

Sophomore Miranda Stanhope has taken JMU cross country by storm. She’s a top runner for JMU in every one of her career races, including finishing 2nd place at last season’s CAA championship meet — in just her second career race. Stanhope’s been a dominant force since joining the team. 

Between JMU basketball tipping off and the Dukes hitting the road against William & Mary, a lot happened in JMU Athletics this week. Staff Writer Joshua Gingrich details what happened as well as other news in JMU Athletics.

JMU cross country competed in the NCAA Southeast Regional meet Friday in Lexington, Kentucky. The Dukes were led by sophomore Miranda Stanhope, who placed 28th with a time of 20:58.

When it comes to cross country, there’s two tasks — run, and don’t stop. That’s a lot easier said than done. Yet, cross country is overlooked so much that some don’t consider it a sport. Cross country is a sport that’s underrated, underappreciated and misunderstood. 

JMU Athletics is officially in the Sun Belt and Commissioner Keith Gill, Athletic Director Jeff Bourne and JMU president Jonathan Alger all met with the media. The Breeze's Sports Editors and News Editor share sights and sounds from the media day.

Hours after receiving unanimous approval from the Virginia General Assembly to join the Sun Belt Conference, JMU officially accepted an invitation. The Dukes join Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Mississippi in moving to the Sun Belt.

While the main news came off the field and court this week, the Dukes were still in action on the field. Here’s what happened.

JMU cross country headed into the second CAA championships in the 2021 calendar year Saturday. The Dukes finished fourth while Miranda Stanhope finished second overall.

Last week was a big one for JMU sports. Field hockey secured the regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the CAA tournament. Volleyball had multiple players set season- and career-high records, including junior setter Caroline Dozier reaching 1,000 career assists. This week, it’s all abou…

As potential realignment opportunities arise for JMU, questions come up about specifics if JMU were to make the jump. Sports Editors Savannah Reger and Madison Hricik quick hit the storyline.

JMU field hockey was in the news this week for  a blowout victory and a near upset. Several other sports were in action as well — here’s what happened.

JMU football got back on track with a win at Richmond on Saturday. As many fall sports are approaching CAA tournaments, teams are looking for pivotal wins to set the tone for conference play.

JMU football got back to its winning ways this week. In addition, other sports such as field hockey remained hot. Here’s what happened.

After a bye week, JMU football returned this week. Other sports like field hockey and men’ soccer shined this week. Here’s what happened.

Another week mean's more JMU sports action. Staff writer Courtney Ryder details what matchups await the Dukes throughout the week.

JMU men’s and women’s tennis started their seasons last weekend with winning performances. This week, softball starts its fall schedule with its first game since the Dukes’ historic WCWS performance.

JMU men’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis opened their respective fall schedules this week. In addition, several other teams were in action. Here’s what happened. 

Cross country finished fourth out of eight teams in Friday’s home meet at New Market Battlefield. This was the team’s second meet of the season.

JMU fall sports are getting deeper into the season and some teams are finding a rhythm on the field and court, while more teams start their seasons. The Dukes continue to face tough, quality conference and nonconference opponents with another exciting week of sports.

JMU cross country's spring season was shortened and off with the mix of track and field. Now, the Dukes have all their focus on the race ahead and are excited for a chance at the CAA title.

JMU football kicked off its season with a home-opener win against Morehead State on Saturday. For the first time in two years, fans were allowed to tailgate and pack the stands of Bridgeforth Stadium to cheer on the Dukes. The excitement continues this week with more JMU sports.

JMU football, cross country and women’s golf began their fall 2021 schedules this week. Here’s what happened.

JMU cross country competed in its first meet of the 2021 season Saturday in the Spider Alumni Meet hosted by Richmond. The Dukes placed third out of eight teams, only trailing first and second-place U. Va. and Richmond, respectively. 

Several JMU sports teams began their fall schedules this week. Here’s what happened.

Fall sports are back in action at JMU, and with fans allowed to attend at full capacity, the crowds are electric cheering on the Dukes. Many teams secured wins and look to extend winning streaks this week.

Coming off an up and down season in the spring, JMU cross country announced its fall schedule. Important meets come in November when the Dukes take on the CAA championships and the NCAA Regional Round.

The Breeze acquired information regarding JMU athletics summer workout protocols on Tuesday. Highlights include no vaccine mandate and players must still be in a 90-day immunity window or test negative to participate. 

JMU basketball, swimming and diving and cross country continued their respective seasons as more sports are on the horizon. 

A couple of JMU sports returned to action after a long-awaited, COVID-caused break, while men's and women's basketball continued conference play. 

JMU track & field and cross country released its schedule on Wednesday, which includes both indoor and outdoor meets. 

During the spring, JMU cross country freshmen lost training opportunities to COVID-19.  Now, they enter college in a new training environment and adjust to it during unusual circumstances due to the pandemic.

The CAA postponed all fall sports until the spring season, following the same path it did for football on July 17.

JMU has multiple athletes that run for both the cross country and track and field teams, competing throughout the school year.

JMU cross country placed fourth over the weekend at the annual CAA Championships. The Dukes now head to NCAA Regional Championships.

JMU cross country hosted the JMU Invitational this weekend. It finished third out of six teams. 

Sports editor Blake Pace recaps a historic year in James Madison Athletics that saw two national championship appearances and an overall record of [UPDATE]

JMU cross country closed out its regular season at the ECAC Championship, where two runners earned All-ECAC honors.

JMU senior cross country runner Erica Jackson continues to succeed in races while being a leader amongst the team.

JMU cross country follows experienced runners like senior Carol Strock to consistent success on the course.

For Strock, the abundant support of her teammates helps alleviate the stress that comes with the individual aspects of the sport.

JMU women’s cross country will head out to Bronx, New York this Saturday to compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. 

This Saturday, the Dukes will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships. 

The team next competes in the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Oct. 2, which is one of the largest meets the team participates in. 

Frias had been the head coach of track and field since 2009.

For cross country, tomorrow’s NCAA Southeast Regional Championships may be a bit of an uphill battle — literally.

Sophomore Jenna Flickinger is a leader on the cross country and track teams. In her freshman year alone, she was named a JMU Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete and earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors in both cross country and track.

Grad student Adrena May only started throwing the hammer her junior year at JMU. Now, the current Colonial Athletic Association Field Athlete of the Week is second in the JMU record books for her throw at the Raleigh Relays Saturday.

Fall sports are back in action at JMU, and with fans allowed to attend at full capacity, the crowds are electric cheering on the Dukes. Many teams secured wins and look to extend winning streaks this week.

Coming off an up and down season in the spring, JMU cross country announced its fall schedule. Important meets come in November when the Dukes take on the CAA championships and the NCAA Regional Round.

The Breeze acquired information regarding JMU athletics summer workout protocols on Tuesday. Highlights include no vaccine mandate and players must still be in a 90-day immunity window or test negative to participate. 

JMU basketball, swimming and diving and cross country continued their respective seasons as more sports are on the horizon. 

A couple of JMU sports returned to action after a long-awaited, COVID-caused break, while men's and women's basketball continued conference play. 

JMU track & field and cross country released its schedule on Wednesday, which includes both indoor and outdoor meets. 

During the spring, JMU cross country freshmen lost training opportunities to COVID-19.  Now, they enter college in a new training environment and adjust to it during unusual circumstances due to the pandemic.

The CAA postponed all fall sports until the spring season, following the same path it did for football on July 17.

JMU has multiple athletes that run for both the cross country and track and field teams, competing throughout the school year.