Author | Lightnews

Dobbs wanted chance to back up performance on film

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Apr 7

"If they want me to fill up water and put me on the 53-man roster, I’ll be the best water boy in the history of sports."

#JMU: Dobbs wanted chance to back up performance on film
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For Jacob Dobbs, the approach to Pro Day was simple.

JMU's Hitschler finds importance in learning

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Apr 3

"This game is just evolutionary every year. … If you sleep on the game, you're going to get passed."

#JMU's Hitschler finds importance in learning
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To be successful, a coach needs to be willing to learn.

Smith was eager for JMU offer

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 31

“I was always looking for JMU.”

Smith was eager for #JMU offer
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Jonah Smith had to wait just a little bit to get his dream offer.

It was a work day for former members of the James Madison football program on Thursday.

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 31

"You don't rise to some competition, you sink to the level of your training, and that's actually exactly what today is."

#JMU hosts annual Pro Day
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JMU hosts annual Pro Day

JMU returns to practice after spring break

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 25

“It's hard to get back out here right away and go.”

#JMU returns to practice after spring break
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It wasn’t necessarily the most crisp practice head coach Bob Chesney has ever seen, but James Madison has a foundation to build upon after returning to the field following spring

Epke's work ethic led to all-time JMU record

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 24

“To perform at the level that we are right now, you need to be doing work off the field in your own time. I think Maddie has done a tremendous amount of that before she even got here.”

Epke's work ethic led to all-time #JMU record
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It shouldn’t be all too surprising that Maddie Epke has found a home in the draw circle for James Madison.

Dukes continue to build off bowl win

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 20

“Our expectations are to win our conference championship and get to the next level and hopefully play in that 12-team playoff.”

#JMU: Dukes continue to build off bowl win
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Last year's Boca Raton Bowl won’t be forgotten anytime soon for the James Madison.

JMU's Adeyi ready to make most of additional season

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 20

“After getting hurt, kind of felt like I let everyone down. Kind of put me in a hard place mentally.”

#JMU's Adeyi ready to make most of additional season
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Ayo Adeyi is no stranger to injuries.

Dukes close out good first week of practice

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 19

“I think by that Wednesday, Thursday, everyone's going to be itching to come back, so by the time we come back, I'm not worried about this group of guys.

#JMU: Dukes close out good first week of practice
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The schedule hasn’t been traditional for James Madison as it begins spring practice, but the Dukes are taking it in stride.

Dukes take series against Warhawks

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 16

"One out, sac fly does the job."

#JMU: Dukes take series against Warhawks
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Sometimes every sport needs a little flare for the dramatics.

JMU opens spring practice

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 13

JMU football has some changes for its future opponents.

It adds a game vs. Duquesne (FCS) on Sept. 11, 2027. It'll be at home.

New dates for JMU vs. Miami (OH):
at Miami (OH) - Sept. 24, 2033
vs. Miami (OH) - Sept. 9, 2034

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 10

“If you're only doing it in your meeting time, and if you're only doing it from the opening whistle to the final whistle of practice, there's a lot of opportunity, ultimately, that you're missing in there.”

#JMU opens spring practice
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Just after 10:30 a.m., James Madison huddled around head coach Bob Chesney at the center of Zane Showker Field.

Steadman had untraditional journey to JMU

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 10

Hey #JMU fans!

I'm trying to get some football content out to you all, but Twitter is crashing out and Bluesky doesn't like my videos.

I'll hopefully have some stuff to you all very soon, though!

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 7

The best decision Eli Steadman ever made was enrolling at Birmingham Southern.

Nine months after the school closed, the
#JMU baseball outfielder remains grateful for his time representing the Panthers, while being excited for his chance at the DI level.
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Eli Steadman was on his way back to Xenia, Ohio, after a summer-league series in Michigan, when he decided to send out some final Hail Mary emails.

Chesney looking forward to QB competition

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Mar 5

“Our job is to make that room as competitive as possible. That's one right now that's as competitive as any on this team.”

#JMU: Chesney looking forward to QB competition
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Leading into last season, the James Madison quarterback battle was a two-man race.

JMU hopes to build momentum

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 26

“Continue to lay our foundation of what we do offensively and defensively and on the mound as well.”

#JMU: JMU hopes to build momentum
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The opening weekend sweep isn’t necessarily lingering among the 2025 James Madison baseball team.

JMU gets first series win against Canisius

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 23

Jaden Kinsler was strong in his start, Ike Schmidly hit his first-career home run and #JMU claimed its first series win of the season.

“We've been really confident this weekend.”
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On Friday night, it was Jackson Logar dealing for James Madison. Not even 24 hours later, Jaden Kinsler had his chance.

JMU's O'Donnell continues to embrace new role

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 20

Brendan O'Donnell wanted to play affiliated baseball and he thought he was good enough to do so. After a summer in the Frontier League, though, O'Donnell was given an opportunity he couldn't refuse.

#JMU's O'Donnell continues to embrace new role
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Brendan O’Donnell spent his time playing baseball around good coaches.

Dukes down Highlanders for comeback win

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 19

“I was just proud of how our guys just hung in there and grinded it out.”

#JMU: Dukes down Highlanders for comeback win
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It may have taken him some time, but James Madison infielder Corey Dowdell eventually saw where his hit landed.

JMU Notebook: Dukes sit atop SBC standings

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 17

"It's a cool thing, and I got a lot of pride in this place, for sure."

#JMU Notebook: Dukes sit atop SBC standings
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On the women’s side, James Madison has been in control since Sun Belt Conference play opened.

McDaniel continues to show her importance to JMU

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 17

“She's not just a shooter. She’s not just a perimeter player. She can go inside, outside, threes, drives, post-ups.”

McDaniel continues to show her importance to #JMU
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There’s a reason Peyton McDaniel entered the 2024-25 season as the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year.

Dukes remain in control of Royal Rivalry

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Feb 3

“We run Virginia.”

#JMU: Dukes remain in control of Royal Rivalry
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The two schools meet often.

Dukes dealing with short preseason ahead of opener

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Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Jan 29

“It definitely feels like we're in a little bit of a time crunch. But we're all so excited to get started. I think it gives us just the perfect amount of time to get ready.”

#JMU: Dukes dealing with short preseason ahead of opener
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There isn’t much time for James Madison to waste.

JMU hopes for another NCAA Regional, faces tough schedule

Catie Harper @catieharper.bsky.social · Jan 28

"This might be the toughest schedule I've ever put together. When you look at who we're playing out of conference … our midweek games aren't easy either."

#JMU hopes for another NCAA Regional, faces tough schedule
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Marlin Ikenberry’s closing remarks as James Madison wrapped its 2024 season in the Raleigh Regional were simple.