James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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It ' s Epidemic As the days begin to get warmer, students show symptoms of a very common disease known as Spring Fever. On Saturday, April 1 1 , students afflicted with the disease came out to the practice field next to Godwin Hall to welcome the beginning of warm weather. Dressed to the minimum to soak up the early Spring rays, students got wild outdoors after being cooped up all winter in rooms and classes. Campus organizations set up booths to earn money, while giving tipsy contestants a chance to prove their skills. Two of the more popular attractions were Sigma Nu ' s dunking pool, and the Food Service booth, where free balloons, ice cream, and iced tea were offered. Frisbees packed away all winter emerged and were suddenly whizzing everywhere. Students forgot their woes, downed a few cold ones, and enjoyed spending time with friends. The disease was in epidemic proportions, for Spring Fever was definitely contagious. Any student well enough that night enjoyed the comedy of Gallagher followed by Tom Chapin. Luckily, with the days activities most students worked out the fever — under the sun. 2 Students tested feats of accuracy and skill here in an out-of-the-ordinary view of the bean bag toss (left inset). Spring Fever even brought out community members, as the next generation got in on the action (far left). Teddy Bear ring toss was a popular attraction (left) as excited students competed to ' win one for the lady . NRBQ generated the musical vibes for the huge crowd (above) while uninhibited students responded to the sounds (top). Spring Fever 1 7

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16 Spring Fever

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Sounds of Music I wanted to establish a prestigious program that would speak for itself. 7 ' Michael J. Davis Director of Royal Marching Dukes As long as there are the Marching Royal Dukes, there will be the assurance of an outstanding performance every Saturday afternoon at home football games. Half-times have become a legend. Named one of the top ten bands in the nation by Marching Bands of America Association, the 270-piece band entertain spectators with precision marching steps combined with solid contemporary music that bring crowds to their feet. The Marching Dukes spend as much time on the practice field as the football team each week, working hard under the inspiring direction of enthusiastic leader, Michael J. Davis. Davis, selected twice as the director of the All-American College Band, came to the music department in 1977 with the goal of establishing a top-notch program. That goal has certainly been attained. The group has performed at Baltimore Colt, Washington Redskin, and Pittsburgh Steeler games, and have taped advertisements for WHSV TV-3 in Harrisonburg. Perhaps Davis has done too well. On November 1 , he left for Disney World to direct the Walt Disney World Band. By directing the 28 piece professional band, he will be given the opportunity to make music with many of the V.I.P. ' s in showbusiness. Davis will be sorely missed. This year was devoted to screening for a replacement. In the meantime, though, Davis feels the Marching Dukes will have little trouble maintaining their popularity and success with both critics and students. As Davis added, The way the students support us is just great. 18 Marching Dukes