Family traditions, Madison Spirit

In Fall 2023, as Sonny (’82) and Pam (’84) Dyke parked their car ahead of the first men’s basketball game of the season, Sonny had a realization. “I thought … I’ve been doing this almost 50 years,” he mused. 

The Strasburg, Virginia native started attending JMU basketball games when he was 16 years old. Today, the retired educator and basketball coach returns to campus with his family, all Virginia educators — and all fans of JMU.

“We like excuses to come down [to JMU],” Pam said. “We just make a day of it.”

A family of ‘heroes’

The couple met during their first teaching job in Warren County, Virginia, where Sonny taught social studies and coached basketball, and Pam taught middle school band. They retired in 2022 after 40 and 38 years of service, respectively.

“Teachers are just heroes to us, and we can say it easier now that we’re retired, because we don’t feel like we’re talking about ourselves,” Pam said.

But retirement can’t keep her out of the classroom. Pam continues to supervise JMU student-teachers, serving as a liaison between the university, the school system and the student teacher.

“It is the perfect retirement job, because it really doesn’t take a lot of time, but I get to interact with students and stay in the classroom a little bit,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience.”

It’s meaningful experiences like this that inspire the Dykes to continue giving back to their alma mater. Together with their son, Ryan (’15, ’20M), the Dyke family has given to JMU for a grand total of 81 years collectively. In 2031, they will reach 100 years of family giving. They are Forever Loyal Dukes, people who continue to give every year, often multiple times a year.

“We love this place,” Sonny said. “I had a remarkable four years here.”

His fondest JMU memories are the evenings he spent among 5,500 other fans during the ’81, ’82 and ’83 men’s basketball seasons. “I’ve seen games all over, and there’s still no atmosphere like you had [in Godwin Hall],” he said. “If you were on the top row [of the bleachers], you could touch the ceiling. … It was packed every night, and people were rabid.”

As a basketball coach, Sonny would bring vanloads of players to campus for JMU games and camps. Often, he and Pam would bring their children. “The kids would each bring a friend,” she said, “and it was like a nice, safe family activity. Every time we came back, I’d feel like I’m coming home in a way.”

‘Raised that way’ 

If it weren’t for Sonny, “I just don’t think I would have thought about giving right out of school,” said Pam, who began giving after she learned Sonny was making modest donations to the Duke Club on his $12,000 salary.

“He was also raised that way,” Pam said. “Their family gives even though they didn’t always have a lot, but if you had something [and] you could help somebody, you gave it.” 

The family tradition has been passed to the next generation of Dykes. “Obviously, [JMU] is important to me, so it seemed like something good to support,” Ryan said, “but I give most of the credit for [my giving history] to my mom and dad because they … demonstrated doing it themselves.”

In addition to Athletics, the Dyke family supports causes close to their hearts. Pam, who majored in Music Education, continues to support former students who were in the Marching Royal Dukes. “In the last couple of years on Giving Day, it’s been a small amount, but I’ll give to the Marching Royal Dukes or somebody in the music department,” Pam said. “Whatever I give, it’s not going to be life-changing to anyone, but I’m still thoughtful about where I want to put it.”

 “In fact, the Dykes are changing lives,” said Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M), director of Alumni Relations. “Sonny and Pam are such great role models for all alumni. Theirs is a true gift of loyalty and love for JMU while also being an inspiration to all alums to give back to our alma mater.”

Coming home, again and again

Ryan Dyke didn’t plan on becoming a teacher. He graduated from JMU with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. Then, “I came to the realization that [teaching] would be something that I would enjoy and could be good at,” he said. He returned to JMU to get his master’s in education, and this fall begins his ninth year teaching special education in Virginia. Ryan’s sister, Natalie, is also an educator. 

“Neither of us was going to push either of our kids into education,” Pam explained, “but we’re super proud of them.”

Today, JMU sporting events continue to bring the Dyke family together. During football season, Ryan says they often tailgate with former JMU roommates — both his and his father’s. “Seeing all the people that you met [at JMU] at those events makes it that much more special,” he said.

Even after so many years, the Dykes still find campus exciting. “It sounds corny, but every time we interact with students — and we were teachers, so we know what kids are like — it’s always a positive experience,” Pam said. “I feel happy when I’m on campus.”

Sonny credits strong leadership for keeping the Madison Spirit alive. “[JMU has] done an incredible job hiring the right people,” Sonny explained. “Doing what we did, we see the value in leadership. The changes [to campus], they’re always dramatic, but the soul is still there.”

“Obviously the older side of campus on the Quad is a highlight with the bluestone buildings and views of the mountains,” Ryan added, “but I think the people at JMU are always so nice and kind and welcoming. It just feels like home.” 

“We love this place,” Sonny said.