As Duke Club members, you are making a BIG impact on the JMU student-athlete experience. Your gift to the Duke Club goes to benefit the Proud & True Fund and supports all of JMU's 18 varsity sports, cheerleading, and the athletics operating budget.
As a great THANK YOU for all you do to support our JMU student-athletes, we want to feature you in the Duke Club Donor Spotlight, a new initiative to celebrate our donors.
The Duke Club invites you to provide a glance into the JMU donor and fan experience — through the lens of a Duke Club member — as we spotlight JMU Athletics donors who are making an impact on Dukes' student-athletes.
- From tailgating, game day traditions and fan fun...
- To favorite sport teams and favorite JMU sports history moments...
- To reflections on why you donate to the Proud & True Fund and why/how you encourage fellow JMU fans to give too!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT DONOR
Name: Will Macgill
City/Town: Summit, New Jersey
JMU Affiliation: College of Arts and Letter Alumni board member: Class of 1992 (Mass Communications)
What is your current job title? Where do you work? What is a brief summary of your job description?
I am a senior director for Macy's Inc in New York City. I am part of corporate communications and oversee all video and event production internally (and some externally). I have been with the company for over 24 years.
Why did you decide to become a member of the Duke Club and make a gift to the Proud & True Fund?
I have always been proud of my degree from JMU and when I was able to give back, I wanted to start with athletics. I believe in all that sports can do for a university in terms of visibility to the rest of the world.
What has been your favorite part of being a member of the Duke Club?
Just the pride of it all. Knowing, and hoping, I am making a difference in a small way. I also love the fundraising events like Friday Night Lights and the Pickle Ball tournament last year and getting to take part in these events with my brother, who is also a Duke Club member.
What has kept you involved as a member of the Duke Club?
My love of JMU and my love of all sports and again, hoping I am making a difference in some way.
Do you have a favorite JMU team(s)? Why is the team(s) your favorite?
I love all of the teams and sports, but if I had to pick one, it's the 2008 football team. From seeing the hail mary at Villanova in the pouring rain, to the first semifinal playoff game ever at Bridgeforth (in the freezing cold!) with my brother (also an alumni), there are just so many amazing memories from that year.
What do you love most about JMU Athletics?
I love how we compete in all sports. It's not just football or basketball. Softball and lacrosse and field hockey and volleyball and soccer and baseball. All of them. There is so much to love and the fact that not one of our programs finished under .500 last year (our first in the Sun Belt!) is testament to all of the hard work put in year after year.
Do you have a favorite moment in JMU Athletics history?
I have so many favorite memories but my favorite has to be beating Villanova, at Villanova, on a hail mary in a monsoon in 2008. I married in to a Villanova family (my wife, my son, her 5 siblings, her dad, 15 grandkids) and it was nice to get that last second victory and remain undefeated and number 1 in the country.
Do you have any game day fan traditions?
Yes. In 2016 my brother moved to Harrisonburg and we started trying to attend at least one game a year. In 2021, we bought season tickets and haven't missed many games since. Our tradition is tailgating. We like to be the first one in the lot by 8am and enjoy a long day of tailgating. In the 3 years as a season ticket holder, we have moved from C4 to P Lot to F Lot. They have all been great spots and look forward to another great season this year!
What advice do you give to other JMU fans and friends to encourage them to give and get involved with the Duke Club?
We all take great pride in JMU and its success. We all want that success to increase! So, all Dukes are needed, even if at small donation amounts, to grow the Duke Club and the success of the athletic programs. It’s the dawn of a great, new age in JMU athletics, so be a part of it!
Your gift/membership to the Proud & True Fund/Duke Club supports JMU Athletics and makes a big impact. What motivates you to give and be a part of this program?
It’s amazing to see the time, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears that JMU athletes put into their sport. These athletes represent our school on a national stage from softball to lacrosse to football, and all the other sports. They have earned and deserve our support, and it gives me incredible satisfaction to know that I’m a small part of helping student-athletes be at JMU, and to succeed at JMU!
Are you a JMU Duke Club member who is interested in being featured in a Duke Club Donor Spotlight? You could be chosen next...all you have to do is complete the brief Duke Club Donor Spotlight survey and submit your photo!
