INCREASED ATTENDANCE AT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Since the James Madison women’s basketball team started its 30-game home winning streak and went to the NCAA tournament last year, attendance has slightly increased, especially student attendance.
“I think we have made some converters out of a lot people,” women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks said. “Once people come to the games, it becomes contagious from the standpoint that we put a product out there that people enjoy watching.”
Over the past couple of years, the average attendance has been 1,951 at a JMU women’s basketball game. This season, the current average is up to 2,128 fans.
“We go to different arenas throughout the season and sometimes there are only 200 people in the stands and you feel bad for the kids because they work extremely hard,” Brooks said. “The fact that our kids get to come out and play in front of thousands of people makes me very happy, and to be able to do it at my alma mater warms my heart even more.”
The Maryland game this season was a marquee event on the schedule. It not only shattered the previous pre-sale ticket record, but also attracted 5,046 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in JMU women’s basketball history. According to Mike Carpenter, Director of Ticket Operations, the average per game sales last year was about $1,200, and the ticket sales for the Maryland game surpassed $15,000.
Carpenter believes the big-name opponents helped increased attendance, as well as the return of Harrisonburg local Kristi Toliver, who plays for Maryland. Other games that have typically drawn large crowds over the years are Old Dominion, Delaware, and Hofstra. JMU marketing also helps to increase attendance with special promotions and giveaways.
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The baselines are prime
locations for JMU student-fans! |
One of the more interesting things is the increased student attendance. According to Carpenter, the largest student attendance recently is 825 against Hofstra last year. Currently, women’s basketball is averaging 184 students. At the Maryland game, there were 180 students in attendance, which is very impressive considering the game was played while students were on break.
“I think our student attendance has been really good over the years,” coach Brooks said. “It has really helped the atmosphere and our success because when students are there and they are getting after the opposing teams, it really gets into their heads.”
THE TRANSFER TRIO PART ONE
This year, the James Madison men’s basketball team has three new transfers on its roster, Dazzmond Thornton, Abdulai Jalloh, and Stephen Kendall. Over the next three weeks, each player will be highlighted.
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| Dazz Thornton |
Dazzmond Thornton, a sophomore from Denver, Colo., transferred to James Madison from Texas Tech after the 2005-2006 season. While at Texas Tech, he played under Bobby Knight, one of the most controversial coaches in college basketball.
“He wasn’t different from any other coach,” Thornton said of playing for Knight. “I just think he is more publicized and happens to make it on TV.”
After his freshman year at Texas Tech, Thornton was looking to transfer. Coach Dean Keener became aware of Thornton after they signed Pierre Curtis in April 2006.
“[Curtis] told us, ‘My high school teammate is looking to transfer, and he is a big kid who is a really good person’,” Keener said.
Thornton visited several schools during the spring of 2006 before deciding on JMU.
“I felt like it was a better fit for me,” Thornton said. “When I came on my visit, I had a really good time and I meshed well with guys.”
When asked if high school teammate, Pierre Curtis, had a part in the decision to come to JMU, Thornton responded by saying, “He played a part, but it wasn’t the main reason for coming here.”
Thornton became eligible to play for JMU this season, and has already shown how valuable he is to the team.
“[Thornton] provides us with a good low-post presence at both ends of the court and has a good IQ for the game,” Keener said.
After sitting out the 2006-2007 season, Thornton is still very pleased with his decision to come to JMU.
“I was reluctant to sit out a whole year, but it was definitely a good decision,” Thornton said. “[JMU] has been everything and more, and it’s great to be out there playing.”
JASMIN LAWRENCE NAMED THIRD CAPTAIN
Typically, team captains are appointed in the beginning of the year. The James Madison women’s basketball team was no different until this season. Two weeks ago, Kenny Brooks did something not many coaches do; he named Jasmin Lawrence the third team captain.
“I have been in coaching and associated with basketball on a college level for 20 years, and whether I have been a player or a coach, I have never see it done,” Brooks said.
Lawrence, a senior from Queens, New York, joins seniors Tamera Young and Jennifer Brown as tri-captains.
“I thought over the last month, Jasmin displayed the type of leadership that we need to be successful,” Brooks said. “She has done a fantastic job of doing not only what she is suppose to do, but also helping the underclassmen understand what they need to do.”
Lawrence has matured over the last four years and become a positive influence on the court to all her teammates. The last three years she sat and waited her time averaging 14 minutes a game. During her senior season, she has started all 18 games after starting only four games prior to the 2007-2008 season and has become a prominent leader on the court.
According to Brooks, Lawrence really did not care about the title, but he felt like it was something he needed to do.
“I felt like she deserved it,” Brooks said. “She is a beautiful young lady inside and out, and I love coaching her.”
SMALLER BITES
Johnson Moves Into New Role at JMU
Former JMU Lacrosse Coach Now at Florida
Jennifer Ulehla, who coached the JMU women’s lacrosse team to six NCAA tournaments during her eight-year stint (1995-2002), has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Florida. The Gators are just starting their program and will begin playing in 2009-10. Her 2000 JMU squad finished third in the NCAA tournament. Ulehla coached current JMU head coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe during the final three years of her career as a JMU player.
Teresa Garbee is a senior Technical and Scientific communication major with a minor in sports communication.
Courtesy: JMUSports.com
