The best parts about JMU football

Fall semester is almost upon us, which means new classes, reuniting with friends and most importantly, football season. JMU might not have the biggest football program, but we have spirit. Here’s a list of some of the best JMU Football traditions to get you excited for the upcoming season.

Convo tailgates

Other schools might have their pre-game festivities in grassy fields, but at JMU we party in the parking lots. No shame though because we have more fun. There is something about walking into the Convo parking lot on game day and seeing the endless waves of purple and Natty Light cans that makes you feel at home. No matter the weather or the opposing team, you can be sure that cornhole is being played and of course stump, which is perhaps the dumbest and the most fun game humans have ever created. The spirit and atmosphere at the Convo is just what you need to get pumped up for the game.

Opening videos

What better way to start each game than with a video of the Duke Dog defeating the opposing team’s mascot. Major props to the crew that puts these together because the videos are always fun, and get the team and the crowd excited for the game. If only JMU shared the videos so we could relive the magic over and over again.

The singing of the fight song

JMU wants to make sure you know the words. On the first day of freshman year everyone is given the fight song shirt. Not only are the lyrics to the fight song printed on the shirt, they are printed upside down so you can read along at games. After your first few games you’re expected to know the words, but if you don’t you will always have your freshman shirt to help you fake it till you make it. Thanks, JMU.

Touchdown traditions

Photo credit: visitjmu.com

As the cannon fires, even those who didn’t make it to the game know a touchdown has been scored. The best touchdown tradition though is definitely the streamers. Anyone who has ever attended a game has witnessed that one guy who decides to mummify himself in fallen streamers, and the rolls that fail to come unwrapped and hit a fellow Duke in the head. The excitement of deciding when to throw your streamers and seeing them fill the stadium at each touchdown never gets old. When you see the overhead images of the post-touchdown streamer throws you can’t deny the awesomeness of this JMU tradition.

The MRDs

The Marching Royal Dukes are more than just a marching band. They kill it every time, and they are responsible for getting the crowd hype at football games. When you look over and see them dancing with their instruments in the stands, you have no choice but to get excited.

The Duke Dog

Seeing the Duke Dog is always a pleasure. Whether its at a game, on the bus, or in Carrier.  However, it’s the real Duke Dog that gets us hype at football games. When you see that bull dog in his JMU jersey come out of the Dog House, you can’t help but lose it. Our mascot is the cutest, hands down.