JMU Football Helps Spotswood Students "Feel Like Champions"

The students of Spotswood Elementary School were visited by members of the JMU football program on Friday, February 10 for a special visit. Music teacher Heather Eberly said the children "seemed to have sparkles in their eyes" as they watched a clip of football highlights from the Duke's championship season, listened to the student-athletes' advice to follow the rules so they can be whatever they want to when they grow up and played games and drills in small groups.

The football student-athletes took time out of their morning to share their wisdom about staying in school, following the rules and listening in class before warming up and playing games with the kids. Senior offensive lineman Nick Edwards led three groups throughout the day and reflected on how the kids looked up to him saying, "The best part of the day was setting a good example as a role model by doing the right thing in the classroom, being respectable to your teachers and to always tell the truth in situations that might not go their way."

The student-athletes used the three school rules - be safe, kind and focused - throughout the day. They began with some jumping jacks and squats to get warmed up, keeping their body safe while they played. The children had to be kind to one another and the players to make sure nobody got hurt and that each child had equal time spent playing. The kids were focused on the JMU students and the players were just as engaged with the children. The student-athletes were role models for the kids from kindergarten to fourth grade and enjoyed spending time engaged with the community.

The morning event left an impression on everyone involved. Freshman offensive lineman Robert Snead said, "One of the most rewarding things was at the end, one of the kids came up and hugged me and said 'this was the greatest day of my life and you inspired me to want to play football when I grow up,' so it was one of the best moments of my life to hear a kid say that to me."

With the recent FCS championship title, the JMU football team has a lot more fans looking up to them, including these kids at Spotswood Elementary and throughout Harrisonburg. Physical education teacher Joy Button commented on the football players' performance at the event saying, "I think they made our kids feel like champions today."

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