JMU lovin'

I have a vendetta against people who haven't attended JMU. It's not that I don't like you, in fact I probably like you a lot, however you will never understand some aspects of me. Ever.

You won't understand my school pride and the magnitude of love I have for JMU. You won't understand my hunger to return even for just a day or a weekend, and splurging on a plane ticket just to do so. You won't understand my overflowing wardrobe of purple and gold clothing.You won't understand that although I have a real home, I will ALWAYS look to Harrisonburg as my second home, no matter where I may be.

You won't understand how I actually craved food on campus, and how my life is so much less convenient now that I don't have punches. You won't understand how disappointed I am in myself that I never made it on the wall of Jack Brown's as part of the 100 notch club. You won't understand that pre-riot Spring Fest was the best experience in the world (the whole world).

You won't understand that naps in a public place, as long as they are confined to campus grounds, are completely and totally acceptable. You won't understand that Ashby or Hunters Ridge will never be referred to as their new names. You won't understand just how frustrating it is that Jimmy John's does not deliver to Copper Beech.

You won't understand that Gold Crown, one of the sketchiest looking bars in all of the world, has led me to some of my greatest nights of college. You won't understand that your taxi driver might as well be on speed dial. You won't understand that although North 38 was only roughly two miles away, it seemed like a lifetime.

You won't understand that Sundays were often more fun than Friday or Saturday nights. You won't understand that when the snow starts falling, the kegs come out. You won't understand the bond you have with the people who lived in your dorm freshman year.

You won't understand the magnitude of Uggs and Northfaces that surfaced once the fall hit. You won't understand what the tunnels are. You won't understand what SMAD and the APL are.

Most importantly, you won't understand that we don't care what you say about our sports teams. If our football team is having a winning season or a losing season, we will be there to support them regularly. Tailgating and going to games is a way of life. If you went to JMU you WILL understand this. And you WILL understand what 21-16 means, and you will remember where you were and what you were doing when it happened.

And although our basketball team hasn't made it to the NCAA tournament since '93, or had a win in the tournament since '83, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that we made it right now.

All that matters is that every single status on my news feed last night was JMU related. The outpouring of love and support for the basketball boys is something that makes me realize why I love my school.

If you didn't go to JMU there are so many things you won't understand about me. But if you meet anyone who went to JMU, and you mention any one of the things above, they will sure as hell know what I'm talking about.