This past weekend a little taste of home arrived in Fargo. The James Madison University football team traveled over 1300 miles, played football and unfortunately, lost. Out of the over 18,000 people that filled the Fargodome, only a mere 50 or so sported purple and gold in support of the JMU Dukes. Even though we were extremely out numbered and in enemy territory, Midwest nice held true and gave some Virginians a great taste of North Dakota.
The game that divided our household: JMU vs. NDSU
There were a few other JMU alums in town for the game. I was able to meet up with a handful of them the night before in Downtown Fargo and show them around. Of course, we were all proudly wearing our JMU gear. In any other town, I would expect to be ostracized when in enemy territory. Other than one isolated incident with a very passionate Bison fan, we were met with friendly comments and questions about where we were from and how we were enjoying Fargo. (Of course my story wasn’t as exciting since I am now a local Fargoan).
The next day I decided to fraternize with the enemy and meet up with some of my favorite Bison fans at Buffalo Wild Wings before the game. Unfortunately, I had no other JMU Duke by my side, only a boyfriend decked in green and gold. In fact, this was a game that divided my household. I was bleeding purple while Blake was bleeding green and gold. While we were able to withstand a move to Fargo together, we were unsure if our relationship would sustain throughout the game.
I took a breath, summoned every ounce of courage, and navigated my way through the sea of green and gold to my seat. Like the previous night, the only harassment that ensued was by only a few close friends poking fun at me before the game. As I looked around I saw one other table of JMU fans. I noticed that every so often, a Bison fan would walk by the JMU table and stop to chat. From what I could tell, it seemed like they were experiencing the same thing I had the night before: friendly chat and honest curiosity. People seemed eager to chat about Fargo, NDSU, and the Midwest in general. They wanted to know how they were enjoying themselves and if they had ever visited previously.
While I was enjoying my pre-game meal, my JMU friends from the night before were wandering around the NDSU tailgate. I had
J-M-U DUUUKES!
warned them that they might not be met by the friendliest of spirits walking around the tailgate in their purple and gold. They informed me later that instead of hostility, they were welcomed into tailgates, offered food and beverages, and had an all together fabulous time.
At the end of the game, as I was wiping away my tears (metaphorically speaking of course) the announcer came on and congratulated JMU on their excellent season. “Are you kidding me?!” a fellow JMU fan exclaimed, “I can’t even be mad at them for beating us! They’re just too freaking nice here!”
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This blog was featured in today’s newspaper. Nice going, Hailey! But…. I’m sure fans back east are ever as polite as they are here in the Midwest. No?
Rats! I don’t get the paper copy of the Forum. I would have liked to see that. Did you clip it out and hang it on the COMM student bulletin board?
Hmm… as friendly as out here? I’d have to say probably not.
There is one problem with your blog. There is not enough of them!!!!! You write the stories that make me happy.
Love your blog!
Yet I got threatened in a Bar cause someone thought my bison jersey was a Packers jersey. I love this state!
Thank you for this wonderful story, and also for the Blog. Of all the resources we have here in the upper midwest, the people are the best you could ask for! And you seem to be the best-of-the-best!
Thank you so much for the compliments and of course, for reading!
“Other than one isolated incident with a very passionate Bison fan”
Sorry I didnt give you my #, you’re boyfriend was standing right there geeesh. ha ha
I saw your link on the inforum.com web site. I taught at JMU for 13 years (1996-2009) before being hired away by NDSU in July of 2009. We lived in Bridgewater and Dayton and our four children all graduated from Turner Ashby High School. The Forum did an article about me (http://bit.ly/ta17Sh) and my affiliation with JMU.
According to the JMU website, there are 0 JMU business alums in North Dakota (see http://cob.jmu.edu/alumdistribution/ and put your mouse over North Dakota), so it is good to see at least one JMU grad in the area, even if you aren’t a business grad.
I just read the article, thanks for posting it! I’m attending grad school at NDSU but had to stick with my Purple and Gold this game and turn against NDSU. I will however be switching back to green and gold as they continue on in playoffs. There are actually 2 JMU grads in North Dakota now… both from the SMAD department. I have a friend working for the Minot Daily News and just moved out about a month or so ago.
I took a lot of SMAD students to Europe for study abroad programs while at JMU. Small world.
I am a Southern boy (FL & LA) that has lived in ND, SD, and WY for the past 31 years while in the military and now retired. What I have experienced is that the truly local folks in ND are friendly, work working citizens…and their kids, those in high schools and colleges, are being raised the same way. I was at the game and other than a nut or two on the railing seats in the endzone that trashed talked to the visitors, the NDSU crowd was loud, but fair. Also, Geaux Tigers!!
Yes, I was sitting in the visitor’s section. I saw a few of those “nuts”… but one or two are all in good fun.
Thank you for the kind words! The spirit of sportsmanship among fans is such a wonderful thing. As a Bison fan, I’ve experienced it almost everywhere I’ve gone to see my team play, and often wondered how those teams and their fans who visit us have been reciprocated.
Thank you so much! I love my Bison, and am honored to have hosted your James Madison Dukes. They’re a young and exciting team, and I’m certain we’ll be facing one another again next year!
I enjoyed your story on your Fargo experiance. Fargo is a great place to live and work Welcome!
Signed: ALABAMA Fan ROLL TIDE