JMU’s Houston and Kirsch Honored at Norfolk Sports Club Jamboree

NORFOLK, Va. – James Madison had two members of the 2016 national championship team honored last week by the Norfolk Sports Club, as Head Coach Mike Houston and offensive lineman Mitchell Kirsch were both recognized as the state's outstanding coach and collegiate athlete at the 72nd Annual Jamboree at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

Houston received the J. Roy Rodman Award, which is presented to Virginia's outstanding collegiate coach. Kirsch was the recipient of the Leigh Williams Memorial Award, honoring Virginia's outstanding collegiate athlete.

In his first season at the helm, Houston guided JMU to a 14-1 overall record and the program's second national championship. He was named the American Football Coaches Association FCS National Coach of the Year, while also winning CAA Coach of the Year, the Touchdown Club of Richmond's Bobby Ross Coach of the Year, the Bob Ford FCS Coach of the Year and the Virginia Sports Information Directors University Division State Coach of the Year.

Kirsch, who made 12 starts at right tackle, was a consensus First Team All-American, picking up accolades from STATS, the AFCA, the Associated Press, Walter Camp and HERO Sports.

The Dukes won the Colonial Athletic Association championship outright with an unblemished 8-0 conference mark. JMU set CAA records for scoring (700), rushing offense (4,125), total offense (7,612) and first downs (380) and punt returns for a touchdown (6).

Nationally, JMU led the FCS in winning percentage (93.3%), completion percentage (70.8%), team pass efficiency (181.69), first downs (380), interceptions had (21), punt return average (26.65) and punt returns for a score (6).

The Dukes are amidst spring practice, which will be capped off by the Spring Game on Saturday, April 8 at 1 p.m. Following the Spring Game, the Dukes will receive their national championship rings in an on-field ceremony.

Season tickets for the 2017 season are on sale now and can be purchased online, by calling 540-568-3853 or by visiting the Athetic Ticket Office in the Convocation Center. The Duke Club is the fundraising arm of JMU Athletics and a donation for 2017 improves season ticket and parking options for football. Each tax deductible gift helps support JMU student-athletes and the general operating budget while providing great donor benefits.

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