Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Coastal Carolina on November 4, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1
MSOC
Final
James Madison
1
at Coastal Carolina
1
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
A Letter from AD Jeff Bourne Regarding FCS Playoff Bid
12/9/2014 10:00:00 AM | Administration
To the JMU Community:
The photo below is an advertisement that appeared in Saturday's Daily News Record. I'd like to join Coach Withers and our entire football program in thanking our fans, alumni and Duke Club donors for their support and energy in making this season exciting and memorable.
Upcoming News Story and Release of Information
While I respect the purpose of open records laws and the ideals of transparency, it would have been my preference to maintain the confidentiality exercised by the NCAA. Our competitive stance when provided with future opportunities to bid on home playoff games will likely be impacted by releasing our financial details and the guarantee offered to the NCAA.
The media will share the very real details of our financial bid. First and foremost, please know that we submitted our bid with the expectation that we would use private athletics sources to cover any difference between the guarantee of $200,677.50 and game-day operational expenses of $152,330 that are not covered through ticket sales. Hosting NCAA playoff games is important because it is our responsibility to put the Dukes in the best position to compete and win.
As you consider these totals and see media reports in the coming days, I would like to offer some important additional background involved in our bid and its importance to our campus, community and, ultimately, Coach Withers and our football program.
Background on the Process
I'm familiar with the manner in which the financial bidding has changed and escalated in recent years. Further, we have experienced the very real impact of the NCAA's use of regional match-ups in the first round of the playoffs, with trips to Youngstown State (2006), Appalachian State (2007) and, most recently, Eastern Kentucky (2011). Quite frankly, we missed the opportunity to host games in those years and I was determined that we would not find ourselves in that situation again.
Preparing Our Bid
It's important to note the process used to develop the final guarantee. The NCAA uses a formula to calculate an institution's guarantee based on submitted revenues and expenses. Then upon final settlement, we must show actuals in relation to the submitted numbers.
Benefits to JMU Beyond the Football Program
Additionally, a home game allowed us to reduce expenses across the entire spectrum of our programs that would have been normally associated with an away playoff game. While the NCAA provides reimbursement for a prescribed travel party for the team, it does not cover a wide array of people and support groups associated with the University. The Marching Royal Dukes, spirit squads and our students are among many groups that would have had additional expenses for a game away from Bridgeforth Stadium.
I'm excited about our football program and the leadership provided by Head Coach Everett Withers – the sky is the limit! While I join with everyone in being disappointed with the outcome and end of the season, please know that I am extremely pleased that we were able to host this game for the benefit of the entire University and community.
Thank you for the role you played in our success and the excitement of this season.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey T. Bourne
Director of Athletics
The photo below is an advertisement that appeared in Saturday's Daily News Record. I'd like to join Coach Withers and our entire football program in thanking our fans, alumni and Duke Club donors for their support and energy in making this season exciting and memorable.
Upcoming News Story and Release of Information
I'm also writing to you because later today we will be releasing information associated with our home FCS Playoff bid to both The Breeze and Daily News Record. Our information will be shared as a result of requests made by these organizations through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Freedom of Information Act.
While I respect the purpose of open records laws and the ideals of transparency, it would have been my preference to maintain the confidentiality exercised by the NCAA. Our competitive stance when provided with future opportunities to bid on home playoff games will likely be impacted by releasing our financial details and the guarantee offered to the NCAA.
The media will share the very real details of our financial bid. First and foremost, please know that we submitted our bid with the expectation that we would use private athletics sources to cover any difference between the guarantee of $200,677.50 and game-day operational expenses of $152,330 that are not covered through ticket sales. Hosting NCAA playoff games is important because it is our responsibility to put the Dukes in the best position to compete and win.
As you consider these totals and see media reports in the coming days, I would like to offer some important additional background involved in our bid and its importance to our campus, community and, ultimately, Coach Withers and our football program.
Background on the Process
It was my privilege to represent the Colonial Athletic Association on the NCAA FCS Football Playoff selection committee from 2010-2013 and serve as the committee's chair in my final year. This experience, combined with our previous opportunities to submit financial bids, provided me with a unique perspective on the evolving dynamics involved in the process.
I'm familiar with the manner in which the financial bidding has changed and escalated in recent years. Further, we have experienced the very real impact of the NCAA's use of regional match-ups in the first round of the playoffs, with trips to Youngstown State (2006), Appalachian State (2007) and, most recently, Eastern Kentucky (2011). Quite frankly, we missed the opportunity to host games in those years and I was determined that we would not find ourselves in that situation again.
Preparing Our Bid
In consultation with our Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, Charlie King, we placed significant emphasis on the changing financial dynamics and the use of regional pairings as we prepared our bid for the likely outcome of a possible first-round NCAA selection. As the deadline for submitting our bid approached, we were quite aware of all the teams being considered for the playoffs, and placed significant emphasis on the potential that we could be paired with Liberty University in the event that both programs made the field. While Liberty was seeking its first appearance in the playoffs, I've had the pleasure of working with AD Jeff Barber and members of his staff for years. Further, Jeff and I served on the NCAA selection committee at the same time, meaning that he was well aware of the bid process as well. While I do not know the exact amount that Liberty bid, (given they are a private institution and do not need to disclose their data) I am confident that Jeff Barber prepared and submitted what he believed to be an extremely competitive financial guarantee on behalf of his institution.
It's important to note the process used to develop the final guarantee. The NCAA uses a formula to calculate an institution's guarantee based on submitted revenues and expenses. Then upon final settlement, we must show actuals in relation to the submitted numbers.
Benefits to JMU Beyond the Football Program
The home game also provided benefits beyond just the team and action on the field:
- Exposure for our community, campus and athletics facilities
- A reward to our community for its outstanding spirit and support
- National exposure for our program in various media
- Positive economic impact on Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
- Opportunities for increased outreach and engagement
- Opportunities to meet with many donors and prospective donors to the University and its academic programs
- Recruiting for all of our programs
- The ability for our award-winning Marching Royal Dukes and spirit squads to perform
- Future ticket sales and Duke Club contributions
Additionally, a home game allowed us to reduce expenses across the entire spectrum of our programs that would have been normally associated with an away playoff game. While the NCAA provides reimbursement for a prescribed travel party for the team, it does not cover a wide array of people and support groups associated with the University. The Marching Royal Dukes, spirit squads and our students are among many groups that would have had additional expenses for a game away from Bridgeforth Stadium.
I'm excited about our football program and the leadership provided by Head Coach Everett Withers – the sky is the limit! While I join with everyone in being disappointed with the outcome and end of the season, please know that I am extremely pleased that we were able to host this game for the benefit of the entire University and community.
Thank you for the role you played in our success and the excitement of this season.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey T. Bourne
Director of Athletics
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