Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus Virginia Tech on November 23, 2025 , Win , 65, to, 56
WBB
Final
James Madison
65
vs Virginia Tech
56
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Hall of Fame Spotlight: Football's Carlo Bianchini
1/17/2017 11:26:00 AM | Hall of Fame
James Madison will welcome its newest class into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 28th. Tickets are on sale now at JMUSports.com. As we approach induction day, JMUSports.com will feature members of the new class each week.Â
Today's article highlights two time All-American offensive lineman Carlo Bianchini.
The first offensive lineman to be selected to James Madison's Hall of Fame, Carlo Bianchini was a two-time All-American and offensive line leader for the Dukes from 1984 to 1987. Bianchini was a three-year letterman and was voted singular team captain in his senior season at JMU. He played under coaches Challace McMillin (1984) and Joe Purzycki (1985-1987).
Bianchini helped to lead JMU's run-oriented, winged-T offense to an average 24.6 points, 365.3 yards overall and 261.6 yards rushing per game during the 1987 season. The previous season saw similar averages of 27.2 points, 385.5 yards overall and 251.9 yards rushing per game.
Following a 9-3 campaign in Bianchini's senior season, the Dukes advanced for the first time to the 1987 NCAA I-AA playoffs. Â The 1987 team defeated in-state rivals Richmond, VMI and William and Mary during the same season for the first time before receiving an at-large NCAA bid as an independent.
Bianchini was an Associated Press (AP) and American Football Coaches Association All-American in 1987 as well as an honorable mention AP in 1986. He was also named to the Roanoke Times & World Report and VaSID All-State First Teams in 1986 and 1987. He received JMU's Bob Yetser Leadership Award as a senior.
Bianchini will join three other inductees into the JMU Hall of Fame, Class of 2016.
Q&A with Carlo
1. When you think about your time as a student-athlete at JMU, what highlights or memories stand out?Â
Spending time with my teammates, especially Roy Delph, Greg Colvin, Jim Eckenrode, Neal Wilkinson, Bill Killian, Tommy Halikman and Tim Garrity. Also the years I lived in Ashby Hall and making friends with all the crazy swimmers.
2. What memories stand out about JMU as a university?
The beautiful location and the wonderful people of Harrisonburg.
3. What team rituals or traditions do you miss the most?Â
Spending time on Friday nights with teammates and watching Miami Vice. Â
4. What kept you motivated on a daily basis as a student- athlete?Â
Fear of failure and disappointing my parents and coaches. Â
5. What was the most embarrassing moment for you as a student-athlete?Â
When the seniors told me on my first away game as a freshman that they put on their uniforms the Friday night before the game and practiced in their hotel rooms. Yes, I showed up to Chris Robinson's room with my uniform on and they had a pretty good laugh at my expense.
6. If you could go back in time to your time here at JMU as a student-athlete, would you do anything differently?Â
No, I enjoyed every minute of my time at JMU.
7. How would you compare being a student-athlete in your time vs today?Â
I think today's athletes have it a bit harder than we did. I think there are more distractions today than during my time.
8. How well have you stayed connected to JMU since your time as a student-athlete?Â
Not as much as I wanted to. My wife and I raised two beautiful daughters who played sports every weekend and it made it difficult to come back and visit as much as I wanted to.
9. What was your greatest achievement individually and as a team during your time at JMU?Â
Being selected team captain by my teammates and becoming the first team at JMU to reach the playoffs.
10. What are you doing today in your professional career?Â
I've been teaching physical education in Montgomery County, Maryland for the past 25 years.
Â
Today's article highlights two time All-American offensive lineman Carlo Bianchini.
The first offensive lineman to be selected to James Madison's Hall of Fame, Carlo Bianchini was a two-time All-American and offensive line leader for the Dukes from 1984 to 1987. Bianchini was a three-year letterman and was voted singular team captain in his senior season at JMU. He played under coaches Challace McMillin (1984) and Joe Purzycki (1985-1987).
Bianchini helped to lead JMU's run-oriented, winged-T offense to an average 24.6 points, 365.3 yards overall and 261.6 yards rushing per game during the 1987 season. The previous season saw similar averages of 27.2 points, 385.5 yards overall and 251.9 yards rushing per game.
Following a 9-3 campaign in Bianchini's senior season, the Dukes advanced for the first time to the 1987 NCAA I-AA playoffs. Â The 1987 team defeated in-state rivals Richmond, VMI and William and Mary during the same season for the first time before receiving an at-large NCAA bid as an independent.
Bianchini was an Associated Press (AP) and American Football Coaches Association All-American in 1987 as well as an honorable mention AP in 1986. He was also named to the Roanoke Times & World Report and VaSID All-State First Teams in 1986 and 1987. He received JMU's Bob Yetser Leadership Award as a senior.
Bianchini will join three other inductees into the JMU Hall of Fame, Class of 2016.
Q&A with Carlo
1. When you think about your time as a student-athlete at JMU, what highlights or memories stand out?Â
Spending time with my teammates, especially Roy Delph, Greg Colvin, Jim Eckenrode, Neal Wilkinson, Bill Killian, Tommy Halikman and Tim Garrity. Also the years I lived in Ashby Hall and making friends with all the crazy swimmers.
2. What memories stand out about JMU as a university?
The beautiful location and the wonderful people of Harrisonburg.
3. What team rituals or traditions do you miss the most?Â
Spending time on Friday nights with teammates and watching Miami Vice. Â
4. What kept you motivated on a daily basis as a student- athlete?Â
Fear of failure and disappointing my parents and coaches. Â
5. What was the most embarrassing moment for you as a student-athlete?Â
When the seniors told me on my first away game as a freshman that they put on their uniforms the Friday night before the game and practiced in their hotel rooms. Yes, I showed up to Chris Robinson's room with my uniform on and they had a pretty good laugh at my expense.
6. If you could go back in time to your time here at JMU as a student-athlete, would you do anything differently?Â
No, I enjoyed every minute of my time at JMU.
7. How would you compare being a student-athlete in your time vs today?Â
I think today's athletes have it a bit harder than we did. I think there are more distractions today than during my time.
8. How well have you stayed connected to JMU since your time as a student-athlete?Â
Not as much as I wanted to. My wife and I raised two beautiful daughters who played sports every weekend and it made it difficult to come back and visit as much as I wanted to.
9. What was your greatest achievement individually and as a team during your time at JMU?Â
Being selected team captain by my teammates and becoming the first team at JMU to reach the playoffs.
10. What are you doing today in your professional career?Â
I've been teaching physical education in Montgomery County, Maryland for the past 25 years.
Â
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