HARRISONBURG, Va., Sept. 16, 2009 - Approximately 60 participants from Harrisonburg-area Special Olympics groups are expected to take part in "Day With The Dukes" activities at James Madison University Saturday (Sept. 19).

The day's events will be conducted in conjunction with the JMU-Virginia Military Institute football game Saturday evening and will include the Special Olympians interacting with members of several JMU sports teams.  JMU student-athletes will meet the Special Olympians, sign autographs and demonstrate various athletics techniques.

The group will arrive on campus by 12:15 p.m. and have a group photograph taken at the Duke Dog statue near JMU's Plecker Athletic Performance Center at 12:45 p.m.

The Special Olympians will meet with JMU football players from 12:45-1:45 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, with JMU basketball players from 2-3 p.m. in Godwin Hall's Sinclair Gymnasium and with JMU soccer players from 3:15-4:15 p.m. at Sinclair Gymnasium.  The Special Olympians may enter the football playing field through the Duke Dog tunnel, similar to how the JMU team enters for games.

The group will enjoy a tailgate dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the field adjacent to Godwin Hall and will be joined there by JMU athletics director Jeff Bourne.  The group will then attend the 6 p.m. football game.

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