Completed Event: Women's Golf versus Terps Invitational on April 5, 2026 , , 12th of 16
WGOLF
Final
James Madison
vs Terps Invitational
12th of 16
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Roan Remarks - Off and Running
6/21/2024 10:15:00 AM | Administration
JMU Nation,
Happy summer! As the academic year concludes both for college students and for school-aged children, it's a time for many to unwind and enjoy a slower pace. On the contrary, for me it's been a time to dig in and fully acquaint myself with the JMU Athletics operation while also investing necessary attention towards ensuring our ongoing success in my first full year on the job in 2024-2025. It's been a fast paced, but thrilling time for me to come up to speed on all things JMU. As I've said before and I'll say again, I'm so excited to be home and be a Duke!
Out of the Gate
After a month of introductions at JMU and closing up shop at Eastern Kentucky University, I jumped right into the thick of things with my first day fully devoted to JMU being the Sun Belt Conference annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla. It was great to insert myself into the fabric of the league so quickly and to be surrounded by so many talented leaders in college athletics, many of whom I already know well. In particular, I want to be incredibly complimentary of Commissioner Keith Gill. There are not many leaders in college athletics with his combination of vision, forward-thinking, optimism, and confidence, all the while not sacrificing the student-athlete centered approach that remains our focus in this evolving environment of college athletics. I look forward to partnering with my counterparts and supporting the commissioner moving forward as we navigate remarkable change.
Upon our return from Florida, I almost immediately jumped into a car with Associate AD Scooter Renkin and a few of our head coaches for the annual Duke Club Caravan. It was a special opportunity to be among so many members of our amazing fanbase so soon. Our students, alumni, fans, and friends love the Dukes! The enthusiasm and passion of JMU Nation is unmatched. It's energizing. The tour further validated to me that this was the right next step for my family and me. We're wearing purple with you!
There were multiple stops along the Duke Club tour, and each one offered a different crowd, different venue, different pulse, and different questions and insight. I learned so much from this experience and can't wait to build on these new relationships. The travel also provided critical time to spend with some of our key leaders, such as Scooter and head coaches, Bob Chesney, Sean O'Regan, and Preston Spradlin. We're fortunate to have these three leading their teams.
Following the whirlwind of travel, I've had the opportunity to get back to campus and get better acquainted with James Madison University and our people. I'm intentional about investing in people, as they are most critical to our success. I've had one-on-one meetings with head coaches and athletics administration staff members. These conversations have been very informative and have reinforced what makes JMU great. They have also provided a snapshot of areas where we can build upon our successes and rise to even greater heights. Ultimately, my goal is to uncover how we can make a great place even greater, and then work together to do just that.
These initial conversations and meetings have been beneficial, but at the end of the day we find the most joy in watching our student-athletes compete. So, it was exciting to cap off my first few months by watching JMU baseball compete in its first NCAA Regional in 11 years in Raleigh. It's not often one takes a job like this in late April and can step right into celebrating a big moment. As impressed as I was by the results on the field, I was equally impressed by the character of our student-athletes and coaches, so I want to commend Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry and the rest of the program. Again, I was also blown away by the passion, size and presence of JMU Nation in supporting our university. It was a pleasure to be among you in the stands.
End of Year Giving; Name, Image and Likeness; and the Montpelier Collective
As we close an athletics year and the 2024 fiscal year, I encourage everyone to consider an end-of-year gift to support our student-athletes and key initiatives for JMU Athletics. At JMU, we want to be proactive in maximizing our opportunities and putting our sport programs in the best position to succeed. This means making both a gift to the JMU Duke Club as the official fundraising arm of the department as well as to the Montpelier Collective, which provides NIL avenues for our student-athletes via a charitable 403B organization.
As we publish this letter with only a few days to go, we've already surpassed 7,000 donors for the first time in department history, and we've sold out of JMU football season tickets for the second straight year. Please consider a gift as we close the fiscal year 2024 and look ahead to 2024-2025. Also, a reminder that season tickets for the 2024-2025 basketball seasons are also currently on sale.
As a final fundraising note, I want to acknowledge Cliff Wood and the work of the Montpelier Collective officers and board. Cliff has been a key advocate for JMU Athletics as a longtime donor, former staff member, and now as head of the collective. I've enjoyed spending time with Cliff during the Duke Club Caravan, Alpha Dogs retreat, and via other ongoing conversations. His passion for JMU and our student-athletes is infectious. We're in this together.
University Leadership
Speaking of leadership acknowledgements, I want to thank outgoing JMU President Jonathan Alger. Unfortunately, my time serving JMU under his leadership will be short, but clearly JMU Athletics would not be in the position of strength that it is today without his support and strategic vision. Working with Mr. Jeff Bourne, he navigated this department to the Sun Belt Conference and to FBS football in unprecedented fashion. He departs with JMU Athletics well-positioned to be the leading national program among peer institutions and a true "Everything School."
I'm excited to take that next step under the leadership of Interim JMU President Charlie King, who has been an advocate of JMU Athletics for many years and whose fingerprints are all over our beautiful campus. I'm confident that Mr. King will help us to continue the upward trajectory of this athletics program within the existing values and culture, as well as in alignment with the university's mission and vision.
Creating a Vision and Building on Our Success
As I continue looking, listening, and learning about JMU, concurrently we're also charting a vision for even greater heights that can be achieved by JMU Athletics. How do we continue the transformation where JMU is no longer a stepping stone to a higher level, but it's a destination, whether that's for a coach or staff member or for a student-athlete? As has been shared with me, I want our people to make the big time right here. Interest in this university and our athletics program has never been higher, as evident by application numbers, donations, campus visits, ticket sales, licensing, corporate sponsorship and more. Job candidates increasingly cite JMU as a place on the rise.
The secret is out and we're not surprising anyone any longer. We've achieved so much, but we can't rest on our laurels. We matched a school record with 10 programs represented in NCAA postseason competition in 2023-2024. I want to push to see how we make that 11 or more. Six teams were nationally ranked this past year; how do we make that seven? Where can we strategically invest to maximize impact and best position ourselves for achievement? Attendance, donations, ticket sales, supporting NIL… I want to ensure that we're maximizing our potential in every area as we look ahead.
In August, we anticipate that JMU will receive its letter from the NCAA that it has completed its reclassification to the FBS level. This is another key moment in a line of transformational steps for this program. Our future is now, and I'm ready to embrace the challenge before us to continue this university's rise. Being director of athletics at James Madison University is a dream come true, and my family is honored to be part of JMU Nation! This is truly a special place, and let's chase rare air.
Go Dukes!
Matt Roan
JMU Director of Athletics
Happy summer! As the academic year concludes both for college students and for school-aged children, it's a time for many to unwind and enjoy a slower pace. On the contrary, for me it's been a time to dig in and fully acquaint myself with the JMU Athletics operation while also investing necessary attention towards ensuring our ongoing success in my first full year on the job in 2024-2025. It's been a fast paced, but thrilling time for me to come up to speed on all things JMU. As I've said before and I'll say again, I'm so excited to be home and be a Duke!
Out of the Gate
After a month of introductions at JMU and closing up shop at Eastern Kentucky University, I jumped right into the thick of things with my first day fully devoted to JMU being the Sun Belt Conference annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla. It was great to insert myself into the fabric of the league so quickly and to be surrounded by so many talented leaders in college athletics, many of whom I already know well. In particular, I want to be incredibly complimentary of Commissioner Keith Gill. There are not many leaders in college athletics with his combination of vision, forward-thinking, optimism, and confidence, all the while not sacrificing the student-athlete centered approach that remains our focus in this evolving environment of college athletics. I look forward to partnering with my counterparts and supporting the commissioner moving forward as we navigate remarkable change.
Upon our return from Florida, I almost immediately jumped into a car with Associate AD Scooter Renkin and a few of our head coaches for the annual Duke Club Caravan. It was a special opportunity to be among so many members of our amazing fanbase so soon. Our students, alumni, fans, and friends love the Dukes! The enthusiasm and passion of JMU Nation is unmatched. It's energizing. The tour further validated to me that this was the right next step for my family and me. We're wearing purple with you!
There were multiple stops along the Duke Club tour, and each one offered a different crowd, different venue, different pulse, and different questions and insight. I learned so much from this experience and can't wait to build on these new relationships. The travel also provided critical time to spend with some of our key leaders, such as Scooter and head coaches, Bob Chesney, Sean O'Regan, and Preston Spradlin. We're fortunate to have these three leading their teams.
Following the whirlwind of travel, I've had the opportunity to get back to campus and get better acquainted with James Madison University and our people. I'm intentional about investing in people, as they are most critical to our success. I've had one-on-one meetings with head coaches and athletics administration staff members. These conversations have been very informative and have reinforced what makes JMU great. They have also provided a snapshot of areas where we can build upon our successes and rise to even greater heights. Ultimately, my goal is to uncover how we can make a great place even greater, and then work together to do just that.
These initial conversations and meetings have been beneficial, but at the end of the day we find the most joy in watching our student-athletes compete. So, it was exciting to cap off my first few months by watching JMU baseball compete in its first NCAA Regional in 11 years in Raleigh. It's not often one takes a job like this in late April and can step right into celebrating a big moment. As impressed as I was by the results on the field, I was equally impressed by the character of our student-athletes and coaches, so I want to commend Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry and the rest of the program. Again, I was also blown away by the passion, size and presence of JMU Nation in supporting our university. It was a pleasure to be among you in the stands.
End of Year Giving; Name, Image and Likeness; and the Montpelier Collective
As we close an athletics year and the 2024 fiscal year, I encourage everyone to consider an end-of-year gift to support our student-athletes and key initiatives for JMU Athletics. At JMU, we want to be proactive in maximizing our opportunities and putting our sport programs in the best position to succeed. This means making both a gift to the JMU Duke Club as the official fundraising arm of the department as well as to the Montpelier Collective, which provides NIL avenues for our student-athletes via a charitable 403B organization.
As we publish this letter with only a few days to go, we've already surpassed 7,000 donors for the first time in department history, and we've sold out of JMU football season tickets for the second straight year. Please consider a gift as we close the fiscal year 2024 and look ahead to 2024-2025. Also, a reminder that season tickets for the 2024-2025 basketball seasons are also currently on sale.
As a final fundraising note, I want to acknowledge Cliff Wood and the work of the Montpelier Collective officers and board. Cliff has been a key advocate for JMU Athletics as a longtime donor, former staff member, and now as head of the collective. I've enjoyed spending time with Cliff during the Duke Club Caravan, Alpha Dogs retreat, and via other ongoing conversations. His passion for JMU and our student-athletes is infectious. We're in this together.
University Leadership
Speaking of leadership acknowledgements, I want to thank outgoing JMU President Jonathan Alger. Unfortunately, my time serving JMU under his leadership will be short, but clearly JMU Athletics would not be in the position of strength that it is today without his support and strategic vision. Working with Mr. Jeff Bourne, he navigated this department to the Sun Belt Conference and to FBS football in unprecedented fashion. He departs with JMU Athletics well-positioned to be the leading national program among peer institutions and a true "Everything School."
I'm excited to take that next step under the leadership of Interim JMU President Charlie King, who has been an advocate of JMU Athletics for many years and whose fingerprints are all over our beautiful campus. I'm confident that Mr. King will help us to continue the upward trajectory of this athletics program within the existing values and culture, as well as in alignment with the university's mission and vision.
Creating a Vision and Building on Our Success
As I continue looking, listening, and learning about JMU, concurrently we're also charting a vision for even greater heights that can be achieved by JMU Athletics. How do we continue the transformation where JMU is no longer a stepping stone to a higher level, but it's a destination, whether that's for a coach or staff member or for a student-athlete? As has been shared with me, I want our people to make the big time right here. Interest in this university and our athletics program has never been higher, as evident by application numbers, donations, campus visits, ticket sales, licensing, corporate sponsorship and more. Job candidates increasingly cite JMU as a place on the rise.
The secret is out and we're not surprising anyone any longer. We've achieved so much, but we can't rest on our laurels. We matched a school record with 10 programs represented in NCAA postseason competition in 2023-2024. I want to push to see how we make that 11 or more. Six teams were nationally ranked this past year; how do we make that seven? Where can we strategically invest to maximize impact and best position ourselves for achievement? Attendance, donations, ticket sales, supporting NIL… I want to ensure that we're maximizing our potential in every area as we look ahead.
In August, we anticipate that JMU will receive its letter from the NCAA that it has completed its reclassification to the FBS level. This is another key moment in a line of transformational steps for this program. Our future is now, and I'm ready to embrace the challenge before us to continue this university's rise. Being director of athletics at James Madison University is a dream come true, and my family is honored to be part of JMU Nation! This is truly a special place, and let's chase rare air.
Go Dukes!
Matt Roan
JMU Director of Athletics
Everything School 😎
— James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) June 20, 2024
All of these accomplishments are not possible without your support to the @JMUDukeClub! Time is running out, only 🔟 days left in the fiscal year - make your impact today!
🎁 | https://t.co/6TsCDMmxFX#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/qjDlO2lYdx
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