Shane Mettlen

Virginia

James Madison Beat Reporter at Daily News Record

Covering #JMU men's & women's basketball, football and other sports for @DNR_Sports. USBWA & FWAA member. Co-Host Purple & Bold and FunBelt podcasts.

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Articles

Private capital in college sports could have pros and cons

5 days ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles on the possibility of private equity investments into college sports, including what it might mean for James Madison and other Sun Belt Conference schools. The league’s athletic directors attended an informational session on the topic last month in Destin, Fla., while the Sun Belt presidents heard the same presentation from Deloitte more recently in Atlanta.
Dukes out to recruit, retain young talent

5 days ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Revenue sharing has only officially been a part of college sports for a few weeks, but it’s already beginning to affect how coaches in a variety of sports approach recruiting. For men’s and women’s basketball, it may lead to mid-major programs such as James Madison putting a renewed focus on signing younger players. “I think it’s changed,” JMU women’s head coach Sean O’Regan said. “I want to sink my teeth in, and I like the high school recruits, and I want really good ones.
Private capital in college sports could be unique endeavor

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of articles on the possibility of private equity investments into college sports, including what it might mean for James Madison and other Sun Belt Conference schools. Despite not looking to profit in the traditional sense, Division I athletic departments are desperate as ever to bring in more money. With the recent approval of the settlement in the House vs. NCAA case, schools are now allowed to share revenue with athletes.
Sun Belt schools gathering information on private capital

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of stories on the possibility of private equity investments into college sports, including what it might mean for James Madison and other Sun Belt Conference schools. For better or worse, it appears private capital will become part of the college sports industry.
Dukes continue to recruit internationally

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Heading into one of the most anticipated seasons in program history, James Madison announced its incoming recruiting class earlier this week. And despite changes to the college sports and political landscapes, the Dukes will continue to have an international flare. Among the newest JMU players are those from Hungary, Sweden, The Netherlands and Germany. They join current Dukes from England and Chile.
Sun Belt Notebook: Dukes worked quickly in the portal

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

About a month and a half ago, a certain level of anxiety, if not panic, was expressed by some of the James Madison fanbase as the team had yet to announce any men's basketball transfer commitments. Then, former Vanderbilt guard Paul Lewis announced in late April he was heading to JMU and the string of commitments came fast and furious until within a couple of weeks the Dukes had eight new transfers to fill the roster.
JMU earning paycheck as TBT host

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

Whether or not the James Madison alumni team can win the $1 million prize as the winner of The Basketball Tournament, the school itself is guaranteed a payday for stepping in to host the popular summer event. According to the contract obtained via a public record request, The Tournament Enterprises will pay $60,000 to rent the Atlantic Union Bank Center July 17-22.
Dukes add Foley as assistant coach

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

James Madison head coach Preston Spradlin had been a mentor to Brendan Foley for years, but mostly from afar. Now they are working together. Foley was announced Wednesday as the Dukes newest assistant coach. “I got to know Coach P when he was an assistant coach at Morehead State,” Foley said. “He was the lead recruiter on a prospect I was coaching. They signed him and Preston wound up taking over when he got there. That kind of bridged the relationship. We’ve been friends and he’s given me guidance.
Dukes add walk-ons, close to finishing roster

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

James Madison’s roster is nearly complete with the Dukes officially adding a pair of walk-ons Wednesday. Madison Oliver, a 6-foot forward from outside Boston, previously announced her commitment to JMU, and will be joined by guard Ty Pinkston. Pinkston, a 5-foot-9 guard from Richmond, graduated from J.R. Tucker High School. She’d also previously played at Dr. Phillips in Orlando, helping that school to a Class 7A state title in Florida.
JMU outlines roster figures for 2025-26

1 week ago | dnronline.com | Shane Mettlen

On Tuesday, James Madison officially announced its future roster structures for all 18 varsity sports in the second installment of a series of communications detailing how the school will manage changes in the wake of the House settlement. Among the changes to Division I sports stemming from the approval of the settlement was the elimination of scholarship limits. Now each NCAA Division I sport will have a firm roster limit with the ability to distribute scholarships to every player on each team.