Athletics Communications Guidelines for Media

Media Guidelines for Covering JMU Athletics

Interview Policy (Non-Game Day)
Coaches are available throughout the week by arranging interviews with the respective Athletics Communications personnel. Individual players are available for interviews also during the week. All player and coach interviews must be cleared through the James Madison Athletics Communications Office at least 24 hours in advance. This policy allows us to arrange a time that will not interfere with a student-athlete's academic schedule, which has top priority. One note to the media: Home phone numbers for players and coaches WILL NOT be given out by the James Madison Athletics Communications Office.

Press Credentials
Requests for working press space must be made in writing at least one week before the date of the home contest to the James Madison Athletics Communications Office. The request should be made in writing via e-mail by the sports director of the newspaper, magazine, radio or television outlet wishing to send reporter(s) and/or photographer(s) to the game. Confirmation of the request will be made by James Madison Athletics Communications personnel. Press credentials WILL NOT be issued to spouses, friends or children, in accordance with the working code of the College Sports Information Directors of America. The press areas are working areas and cheering will be grounds for removal.

Photographers
Photographers are issued similar credentials to press area media. For football, any media representatives working at field level must check in at the press box for an armband allowing access. Due to HIPAA regulations, we ask all photographers, both television and print, not to photograph any injury evaluations done in the bench/sidelines area. Additionally, per the credential policy, there is no selling of game photos taken by media members without the express written agreement from James Madison University.

Parking
Media parking is located in the Champions Drive Parking Deck, Tunnel Lot (C9 Lot) and Convocation D Lot near the Convocation Center with the ability to walk through Duke Dog Alley (the tunnel) to reach the stadium for football and in the Convocation D Lot for basketball. Season media members will be issued season parking passes. Single-game parking passes should be requested with media passes and will need to be requested at least a week in advance to allow arrival prior to the game. If a single-game press pass is left at the Will Call window, parking arrangements are the responsibility of the media member. There is no "Will Call" list for parking for credentials requested less than a week in advance, as media parking is limited.

Press Credential Pickup
Press credentials can be picked up in the James Madison Athletics Communications Office on or after Wednesday during the week of a home contest. If credentials are requested and approved, they will only be mailed if the request is granted at least two weeks prior to game. Any credentials not picked up will be left at the Will Call window at the south end of the stadium near Gate A. For b