James Madison Athletic Director Urges Fans to Stop Throwing Snowballs After Near Miss at Sun Belt Championship
HARRISONBURG, Va. — A spirited college football championship game between James Madison University and Troy University took an unexpected turn on December 5, 2025, as fans at Bridgeforth Stadium engaged in a snowball-throwing frenzy that nearly endangered a Troy player. The incident occurred during the Sun Belt Conference championship, a high-stakes contest with playoff implications.
James Madison’s athletic director, Matt Roan, was compelled to address the crowd over the public address system, pleading with fans to cease throwing snowballs onto the field. The warnings came after Troy’s punter, Evan Crenshaw, was almost hit while attempting a punt from his own end zone, with the JMU student section positioned directly behind him. The disruption contributed to a shanked 26-yard punt, which set up James Madison’s first score, a 40-yard field goal.
Roan’s announcement underscored the seriousness of the situation, cautioning that continued snowball throwing could result in penalties against the home team. Despite the warnings, fans had begun pelting the field with snowballs during pregame warm-ups, initially targeting the James Madison marching band. The behavior persisted through much of the first half, creating a chaotic atmosphere that momentarily overshadowed the on-field competition.
The snowfall that day was Harrisonburg’s first measurable accumulation of the season, with approximately 1.5 inches blanketing the area. While the winter weather added a picturesque backdrop to the championship game, it also inadvertently fueled the snowball-throwing antics among the enthusiastic crowd.
James Madison, ranked No. 19 nationally, was vying for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. A victory over Troy, combined with a loss by No. 16 Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, could have propelled the Dukes into the postseason spotlight. The stakes heightened the intensity of the game, but also amplified the consequences of the distracting fan behavior.
Officials and university representatives emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for players and fans alike. The NCAA has long upheld strict codes of conduct to ensure player safety and sportsmanship during collegiate competitions. Incidents like the snowball throwing at Bridgeforth Stadium highlight ongoing challenges in balancing passionate fan engagement with the integrity of the game.
James Madison’s athletic department has since reiterated its commitment to preventing similar occurrences in future events. Fans are reminded that actions jeopardizing player safety can lead to penalties that affect the outcome of games, as well as possible sanctions against the institution.
For more information on sportsmanship policies and fan conduct, resources are available through the National Sportsmanship Foundation and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Additionally, local authorities and campus security coordinate to enforce regulations designed to protect athletes and spectators.
As college football continues to captivate audiences nationwide, the incident at James Madison serves as a reminder of the responsibilities fans bear in supporting their teams safely and respectfully. The athletic director’s earnest appeal, “Please stop,” encapsulates the urgent need for decorum amid the excitement of championship competition.
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