Meet the Dukes Day set for Aug. 29

The James Madison University football program’s annual “Meet the Dukes Day” is scheduled for Aug. 29 at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.
The event gives fans the opportunity to meet the nationally ranked Dukes’ players and coaches and is open to the public with no admission charge.

Activities will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., beginning with an intra-squad scrimmage. An autograph session will follow the team’s practice session.

Parking will be available in the Champions Drive parking deck and in the parking lots near Godwin Hall.

Football game-day concessions areas will be in operation and will offer $1 hot dogs, and inflatable games for children will be available. Other features will include Rosie the Clown face painting and caricaturists.

JMU’s athletics ticket office during “Meet the Dukes Day” will have for sale JMU single-game tickets and mini plans for the 2009 season.

The Dukes currently are conducting preseason drills in preparation for their Sept. 12 season-opening game at Maryland. JMU’s home-opener is Sept. 19 against Virginia Military Institute. The Dukes’ other 2009 home games are against Richmond Oct. 10, Villanova Oct. 17, Maine Nov. 7 and Towson Nov. 21.

JMU is coming off a 12-2 season in 2008. The Dukes won last season’s Colonial Athletic Association championship with an 8-0 league record and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

JMU has a 49-15 record and has made four NCAA playoff appearances since the beginning of the 2004 season.