Newspaper Articles

[ 1969 | 1972 | 1973 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1990 | 1994 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2007 | 2008 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 ]

1969
Nov 12, 1969 - The Breeze - page 3

Announcement of the creation of the basketball Pep Band by Phi Mu Alphia Sinfonia.

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1972
May 12, 1972 - The Breeze - page 3

Announcement of fielding the first "official" Madison College marching band. A date is given for it's organization: June 15, 1972

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May 12, 1972 - The Breeze - page 1

A mention of the premiere of the new JMU Fight Song written by Dr. George West.

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Jun 22, 1972 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 28

"Madison names director for new marching band" - bio article on Malcolm Harris for the new band.

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Sep 5, 1972 - The Breeze - page 1

Announcement of fielding the first "official" Madison College marching band. A date is given for it's organization: June 15, 1972

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Sep 29, 1972 - The Breeze - page 5

The first parade competition of the Madison Marching band

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Oct 6, 1972 - The Breeze - page 4

"Nine Band Performances Scheduled"

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1973
Oct 30, 1973 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 16

Discussing the first and second years of the band and growing the program.

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1977
Sep 2, 1977 - The Breeze - page 11

Hand drawn "Join the Marching Dukes of JMU" ad and form. "All instruments welcome. Particularly interested in Trumpets, Trombones, and Tubas"

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Sep 9, 1977 - The Breeze - page 15

Teaser page in The Breeze about the debut of the new "Marching Royal Dukes."

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Sep 13, 1977 - The Breeze - page 12

In the sports column commentary on the game: "the most exciting thing to watch ... was the JMU marching band."

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Nov 15, 1977 - The Breeze - page 3

Letter to the editor by Joan Ditmore chastizing The Breeze for ignoring the hard work of the new "Marching Royal Dukes."

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Nov 15, 1977 - The Breeze - page 8

Announcement that the Marching Band will present a concert of their half-time performances which will be recorded live. (The first LP of the band.)

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Nov 18, 1977 - The Breeze - page 3

In a letter to the editor, Michael Ratcliffe complains that the newspaper lacks JMU related news. Top of his list of things that could be covered: "marching band."

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Nov 22, 1977 - The Breeze - page 6 of sports insert

A short humor piece in the football insert of the newspaper, high-lighting that not everyone knows the words to the fight song. The words are then printed at the end of the article. These differ from the current words.

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1978
Oct 13, 1978 - The Breeze - page 12 & 13

A 2-page spread on the band. First in-depth article in the Breeze covering the marching band.

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Oct 17, 1978 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - Excerpt

"Pro Debut Successful" - article on the MRDs playing an NFL game.

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Oct 20, 1978 - The Breeze - page 14 & 15

Another 2-page spread of the band. This time to highlight their first "professional" performance at Batimore Colts vs New York Jets NFL game.

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Oct 24, 1978 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - Page 5

Add for the Marching Bands of America Mideast Regional Championships. AKA: the first Parade of Champions.

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Oct 27, 1978 - The Breeze - page 12

Article about JMU hosting a Bands of America competition. This is the pre-cursor to the annual "Parade of Champions" competition hosted by JMU.

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Oct 28, 1978 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - Excerpt

"University Hosts Band Competition" - notice on the upcoming BOA competition.

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Oct 30, 1978 - Hanover Evening Sun - Page 1

POC: coverage of the Hanover "Nighthawk" band that won Division "A"

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Oct 30, 1978 - Hanover Evening Sun - Page 1

POC: coverage of the Hanover "Nighthawk" band that won Division "A"

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Dec 8, 1978 - The Breeze - page 5

Photos of the MRD's second appearance at an NFL game: the Redskins vs Dolphins game at RFK stadium.

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1979
Oct 23, 1979 - The Breeze - page 27

"Castoffs in the end zone" - Letter from Dr. George West (Music professor and composer of the fight song) citing the poor location of seating for the band compared to how other colleges treat their marching band. Also, requesting that the words of the fight song be displayed for the student populace.

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Nov 09, 1979 - The Breeze - page 3

Article on if the dukes will play more NFL games. Also a small article on how the first LP was recorded.

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1980
Oct 21, 1980 - The Breeze - page 5

Announcement of the upcoming performance at the Steelers game

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1981
Jan 20, 1981 - The Breeze - page 21

Madisonman Comic - asked to lead the fight song, Madisonman doesn't know the lyrics.

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Jan 27, 1981 - The Breeze - page 17

George West "de-composer" - writes Madisonman to demand $4.98 (canadian) for a copy of the fight song lyrics.

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Feb 10, 1981 - The Breeze - page 18

Letter to Madisonman - from someone who took up Dr. West's offer - includes the fight song lyrics, and also chides the school for not including them in football and basketball programs on a regular basis.

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1982
Sep 2, 1982 - The Breeze - page 28

Article on the new MRD director: Pat Rooney

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1984
Sep 17, 1984 - The Breeze - page 10 & 11

Article on members of the MRDs participating in the Olympics.

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1985
Sep 5, 1985 - The Breeze - pages 14 & 15

Introducing the new uniforms.

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1986
Nov 24, 1986 - The Breeze - Basketball Preview Insert - page 15

Article on the pep band. Comments include mentioning the new uniform and noting this is the first season the pep band plays all Womens games.

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1987
Oct 29, 1987 - The Breeze - page 16

"Dukes on Disc" - recording for Columbia Pictures.

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1990
Oct 5, 1990 - The Breeze - Homecoming insert - page 19 & 21

Article on the MRDs in the Homecoming insert.

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1994
Jan 20, 1994 - The Breeze - page 19 & 21

First announcement of receiving the Sudler Award.

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October 20, 1994 - USA Today - Life Section

National coverage of the Marching Royal Dukes receiving the Sudler trophy.

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October 29, 1994 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 1

A special full-color section on the Sudler trophy. Pg 1

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October 29, 1994 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 2

A special full-color section on the Sudler trophy. Pg 2

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October 29, 1994 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 3

A special full-color section on the Sudler trophy. Pg 3

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October 29, 1994 - The Harrisonburg Daily-News Record - page 4

A special full-color section on the Sudler trophy. Pg 4

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Dec 8, 1994 - Beckley Register Herald - Page 4

Local commentator praising the performance of the Dukes. Also, sending clippings to the Marshall band director asking him to be more like the Dukes.

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1997
Jan 9, 1997 - The Breeze - page 5

Article about upcoming performance in the Clinton Inaugural Parade

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Apr 24, 1997 - The Breeze - page 3

Announcement of the Dukes going to Monaco, due to the Inaugural appearence.

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1998
Jan 15, 1998 - The Breeze - page 3

Half-page article on the recently-completed Monaco tour.

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1999
Oct 25, 1999 - The Breeze - Parents Day Insert - Cover & page 11

Parent's day insert. MRDs on the cover and details on a scheduled evening performance.

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2000
Mar 23, 2000 - The Breeze - page 3

Article about Dr. Rooney receiving the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award by the Governor. This is the states highest honor for faculty.

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2001
Jan 16, 2001 - The Breeze - page 5

Article on the Dukes performing at George W. Bush's inaugural.

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2007
2007 - www.JMU.edu - web page

Centennial Celebration - the 100th anniversary of the University - webpage article focusing on the marching band.

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2008
Sep 15, 2008 - The Breeze - page 9 & 10

Announcing the upcoming season, including the Macy's Day parade.

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Dec 04, 2008 - The Breeze - pages 3, 4, 9, 11 & 18

Coverage from the Macy's day parade. Two separate articles, a "pat" and resolution passed by the SGA.

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2012
2012 - sites.JMU.edu - web page

The "Mad" 70s - Enter "James Madison" - article on the renaming of the university and changes in the band.

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2012 - sites.JMU.edu - web page

The "Mad" 70s - article on the founding of the MRDs

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2012 - sites.JMU.edu - web page

The "Mad" 70s - A House of Cards - article on the "playing card" uniforms.

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Oct 22, 2012 - The Breeze - page 3 & 6

Article about the bands who attend Parade of Champtions. Also a mention of the MRDs going to Macy's Thanksgiving parade this year.

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2013
2013 - JMU - Be The Change - web page

Be The Change wordpress article - Article on the MRDs 3rd appearance in the Macry's Day parade. This time, leading the parade.

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2014
Mar 27, 2014 - The Breeze - pages 1 & 12

Article about the pep band in the NCAA tournament, including compliments from the opposing Texas A&M fans and team.

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2015
Mar 19, 2015 - The Breeze - page B4

"Craziness in the Convo" - how the pep band and the cheer leaders are an X-factor in the team winning at home.

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2016
Oct 13, 2016 - The Breeze - page 1 & 10

"Marching Band Members Get Engaged After Big Game"

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