Completed Event: Men's Golf versus JT Poston Intercollegiate on September 14, 2025 , , 4th of 15
MGOLF
Final
James Madison
vs JT Poston Intercollegiate
4th of 15
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Bourne Dialogue - November Update
11/20/2020 9:15:00 AM | Administration
JMU Nation,
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Finally, for the first time since March, James Madison Athletics will have competition starting Thanksgiving week as basketball tips off in the brand-new Atlantic Union Bank Center! We're certainly not out of the woods. There will continue to be scheduling changes and rest assured that our emphasis continues to fall on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff, but we're excited to be competing. As we tip off sports, I wanted to touch on a variety of topics with our constituents…
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Preparation for Competition
Â
As we transition from training and practice to competition, we'll also see an increase in our testing protocol for our student-athletes and "Tier 1" staff, or those who work within close proximity to our student-athletes on a regular basis. The basketball programs have already started this practice of three COVID-19 tests per week, which falls in line with the NCAA's safety standards as well as precautions established by the Colonial Athletic Association. We are also being methodical and detailed in our contact tracing. JMU Athletics is taking exhaustive measures to allow for safe competitive opportunities, and I want to give overwhelming credit and kudos to our medical staff for their work during this pandemic.
Â
Keep in mind, competition itself will look different. You'll see extensive safety measures within the event itself with mask wearing, distancing, reduced crowds and more. All of our sport programs will have a reduction in the number of events to varying degrees as a result of national competition date adjustments, safety protocols and budgetary restrictions. Additionally, the NCAA has granted eligibility relief for fall and winter student-athletes, and we are already working through the short- and long-term impact of this opportunity.
Â
Atlantic Union Bank Center
Â
Almost five and a half years ago, in the spring of 2015, we started the journey with the public announcement of a new basketball facility project. Now that we have officially moved into the Atlantic Union Bank Center and are ready to tip off our first games, it's amazing to look at how far we've come. We've consistently used words like transformational and game-changer to describe this venue. Standing in the completed building last week, I can honestly say, it far exceeds my expectations!
Â
To state the obvious, it hurts that we are opening such a venue amid a health pandemic as we won't have the splash we envisioned. But our programs will still feel the benefits from day one of moving in and I'm confident the facility will alter the trajectory of JMU Athletics for years to come. We had a media open house on November 11, and I invite you to review their first impression.
Â
Reduced Capacity
Â
As referenced above, despite a return to competition, the pandemic will continue to impact our operation. Notably, per the governor's Phase III safety guidelines, which were updated on November 13, we are limited to 250 patrons at sporting venues. Unfortunately, as we prioritize guests of our basketball programs and visiting teams, along with other obligations, this means no public ticket availability. While it's not how any of us would choose to operate, we support all efforts to promote a safe environment 1) for the participating teams and 2) for guests in our facilities. We will continue to work with the governor's office to regulate the 250 as well as to stay tuned on any future reductions or increases in allowed capacity.
Â
Streaming, Television & FloSports
Â
With reduced capacity, most fans will turn to broadcasts as the sole method of watching JMU events. Fans may recall, last year streaming consisted of a hybrid of games accessed via paid subscription on FloSports as part of the league's media rights agreement and games available free on our longstanding MadiZONE platform. Due to reduced total number of games across the conference, league athletic directors recently voted that all "full" productions (i.e. more than just a camera panning the event) should go to FloSports in order to hit the league's contractual obligations. This will apply to all sports.
Â
I've hinted at this previously but in full transparency, James Madison did not (and still does not) support FloSports as the best option to meet the league's streaming needs. JMU was the lone dissenting vote. We had a platform available for free to our fans, and we were able to cover our costs via sponsorship elements within the broadcast. I'm not thrilled that our fans must pay ($12.50 on a month-to-month basis or $7.99 per month with annual subscription) to watch our events during a time when attendance is restricted. However, we are part of a conference and sometimes must abide by decisions made by the majority that might not be best for one institution.
Â
One silver lining is that the FloSports agreement still allows institutions to pursue linear television if desired. Our goal is to provide a sampling of men's and women's basketball games and all home football games on regional television networks. However, understand that networks are also navigating uncertain times, so it will take time before we can finalize television opportunities.
Â
Spring Football
Â
As we stated during the summer when shifting began related to college football, James Madison is committed to giving our student-athletes the opportunity to compete for national championships. We look forward to the spring as details come into greater focus. Within the last few weeks, we finalized our 2020-2021 schedule with two non-conference games and a six-game league slate. The NCAA also recently announced qualification standards for institutions to play a minimum of four contests in order to be selected for the postseason. It also officially confirmed Frisco, Texas as the site of the title game.
Â
Head Coach Curt Cignetti and our players recently wrapped up fall camp and now break for the holidays before returning in January to begin preparation in earnest for the season. It's too early to know what capacity restrictions may look like this spring. Stay tuned.
Â
Diversity and Social Justice
Â
As circumstances evolved in our country in June, I released a statement related to social and racial injustice that persists in our society and cited our on-going commitment to addressing these issues. This fall, I tasked Associate Athletic Director Kevin White with leading a committee within Athletics to advance this conversation. That committee has established subgroups to engage roughly two dozen staff members across all units of our department, and their work is on-going. Our student-athlete advisory committee also maintains social and racial injustice as an on-going priority from the perspective of our athletes. We have a busy competitive spring ahead, but that will not slow down our work on this important topic.
Â
Student-Athlete Well-Being
Â
If you don't live day-to-day within the halls of our department, you might wonder what's actually happening without events? Many of us in athletics are wired to compete, but we constantly say JMU Athletics is committed to the whole student-athlete experience. Our athletes have been training in a fall camp environment, and they've had the chance to focus on themselves and their overall well-being.
Â
Academically, both the spring and fall semesters have produced record results in the classroom. Our Dukes Lead program has adjusted to offer virtual methods for our participants to grow as leaders, and our sports nutrition office has adjusted safety protocols to make sure our athletes are well-nourished, including navigating quarantine situations. Finally, all of us as a society have experienced our mental health challenged by this pandemic. We've been able to pour additional focus into providing mental health resources to assist our student-athletes during this taxing time.
Â
Fundraising
Â
As the Dukes Unite campaign concludes, I want to thank the over 1,000 individuals, including 300 first-time donors, who contributed approximately $700,000 to help ensure the sustainability of JMU Athletics. While the campaign technically has ended, the need for fundraising does not stop. As we approach the end of 2020, please consider an end-of-year gift to support our Proud and True Fund and keep JMU Athletics positioned for success.
Â
Â
Â
With Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season upon us, I wish everyone in JMU Nation well. Please make smart decisions for your own safety and well-being and for the benefit of those around you. Brighter days are ahead!
Â
Go Dukes!
Â
Jeff Bourne
JMU Director of Athletics
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Finally, for the first time since March, James Madison Athletics will have competition starting Thanksgiving week as basketball tips off in the brand-new Atlantic Union Bank Center! We're certainly not out of the woods. There will continue to be scheduling changes and rest assured that our emphasis continues to fall on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff, but we're excited to be competing. As we tip off sports, I wanted to touch on a variety of topics with our constituents…
Â
Preparation for Competition
Â
As we transition from training and practice to competition, we'll also see an increase in our testing protocol for our student-athletes and "Tier 1" staff, or those who work within close proximity to our student-athletes on a regular basis. The basketball programs have already started this practice of three COVID-19 tests per week, which falls in line with the NCAA's safety standards as well as precautions established by the Colonial Athletic Association. We are also being methodical and detailed in our contact tracing. JMU Athletics is taking exhaustive measures to allow for safe competitive opportunities, and I want to give overwhelming credit and kudos to our medical staff for their work during this pandemic.
Â
Keep in mind, competition itself will look different. You'll see extensive safety measures within the event itself with mask wearing, distancing, reduced crowds and more. All of our sport programs will have a reduction in the number of events to varying degrees as a result of national competition date adjustments, safety protocols and budgetary restrictions. Additionally, the NCAA has granted eligibility relief for fall and winter student-athletes, and we are already working through the short- and long-term impact of this opportunity.
Â
Atlantic Union Bank Center
Â
Almost five and a half years ago, in the spring of 2015, we started the journey with the public announcement of a new basketball facility project. Now that we have officially moved into the Atlantic Union Bank Center and are ready to tip off our first games, it's amazing to look at how far we've come. We've consistently used words like transformational and game-changer to describe this venue. Standing in the completed building last week, I can honestly say, it far exceeds my expectations!
Â
To state the obvious, it hurts that we are opening such a venue amid a health pandemic as we won't have the splash we envisioned. But our programs will still feel the benefits from day one of moving in and I'm confident the facility will alter the trajectory of JMU Athletics for years to come. We had a media open house on November 11, and I invite you to review their first impression.
Â
Reduced Capacity
Â
As referenced above, despite a return to competition, the pandemic will continue to impact our operation. Notably, per the governor's Phase III safety guidelines, which were updated on November 13, we are limited to 250 patrons at sporting venues. Unfortunately, as we prioritize guests of our basketball programs and visiting teams, along with other obligations, this means no public ticket availability. While it's not how any of us would choose to operate, we support all efforts to promote a safe environment 1) for the participating teams and 2) for guests in our facilities. We will continue to work with the governor's office to regulate the 250 as well as to stay tuned on any future reductions or increases in allowed capacity.
Â
Streaming, Television & FloSports
Â
With reduced capacity, most fans will turn to broadcasts as the sole method of watching JMU events. Fans may recall, last year streaming consisted of a hybrid of games accessed via paid subscription on FloSports as part of the league's media rights agreement and games available free on our longstanding MadiZONE platform. Due to reduced total number of games across the conference, league athletic directors recently voted that all "full" productions (i.e. more than just a camera panning the event) should go to FloSports in order to hit the league's contractual obligations. This will apply to all sports.
Â
I've hinted at this previously but in full transparency, James Madison did not (and still does not) support FloSports as the best option to meet the league's streaming needs. JMU was the lone dissenting vote. We had a platform available for free to our fans, and we were able to cover our costs via sponsorship elements within the broadcast. I'm not thrilled that our fans must pay ($12.50 on a month-to-month basis or $7.99 per month with annual subscription) to watch our events during a time when attendance is restricted. However, we are part of a conference and sometimes must abide by decisions made by the majority that might not be best for one institution.
Â
One silver lining is that the FloSports agreement still allows institutions to pursue linear television if desired. Our goal is to provide a sampling of men's and women's basketball games and all home football games on regional television networks. However, understand that networks are also navigating uncertain times, so it will take time before we can finalize television opportunities.
Â
Spring Football
Â
As we stated during the summer when shifting began related to college football, James Madison is committed to giving our student-athletes the opportunity to compete for national championships. We look forward to the spring as details come into greater focus. Within the last few weeks, we finalized our 2020-2021 schedule with two non-conference games and a six-game league slate. The NCAA also recently announced qualification standards for institutions to play a minimum of four contests in order to be selected for the postseason. It also officially confirmed Frisco, Texas as the site of the title game.
Â
Head Coach Curt Cignetti and our players recently wrapped up fall camp and now break for the holidays before returning in January to begin preparation in earnest for the season. It's too early to know what capacity restrictions may look like this spring. Stay tuned.
Â
Diversity and Social Justice
Â
As circumstances evolved in our country in June, I released a statement related to social and racial injustice that persists in our society and cited our on-going commitment to addressing these issues. This fall, I tasked Associate Athletic Director Kevin White with leading a committee within Athletics to advance this conversation. That committee has established subgroups to engage roughly two dozen staff members across all units of our department, and their work is on-going. Our student-athlete advisory committee also maintains social and racial injustice as an on-going priority from the perspective of our athletes. We have a busy competitive spring ahead, but that will not slow down our work on this important topic.
Â
Student-Athlete Well-Being
Â
If you don't live day-to-day within the halls of our department, you might wonder what's actually happening without events? Many of us in athletics are wired to compete, but we constantly say JMU Athletics is committed to the whole student-athlete experience. Our athletes have been training in a fall camp environment, and they've had the chance to focus on themselves and their overall well-being.
Â
Academically, both the spring and fall semesters have produced record results in the classroom. Our Dukes Lead program has adjusted to offer virtual methods for our participants to grow as leaders, and our sports nutrition office has adjusted safety protocols to make sure our athletes are well-nourished, including navigating quarantine situations. Finally, all of us as a society have experienced our mental health challenged by this pandemic. We've been able to pour additional focus into providing mental health resources to assist our student-athletes during this taxing time.
Â
Fundraising
Â
As the Dukes Unite campaign concludes, I want to thank the over 1,000 individuals, including 300 first-time donors, who contributed approximately $700,000 to help ensure the sustainability of JMU Athletics. While the campaign technically has ended, the need for fundraising does not stop. As we approach the end of 2020, please consider an end-of-year gift to support our Proud and True Fund and keep JMU Athletics positioned for success.
Â
Â
Â
With Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season upon us, I wish everyone in JMU Nation well. Please make smart decisions for your own safety and well-being and for the benefit of those around you. Brighter days are ahead!
Â
Go Dukes!
 Jeff Bourne
JMU Director of Athletics
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