James Madison players to wear decals honoring TV shooting victims

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- James Madison players will wear decals on their helmets during Saturday's season-opening game in memory of the two journalists who were killed during a live television broadcast in Roanoke last Wednesday.

The decals, to be worn during the game against Morehead State, will honor reporter Alison Parker, a 2012 graduate of JMU, and cameraman Adam Ward from Roanoke's WDBJ Channel 7 CBS station.

Each decal will feature the number seven in reference to the television station, ribbons with the colors of the two alma maters -- purple for Parker and maroon for Ward, a Virginia Tech graduate -- as well as the initials for each.

A moment of silence will be held before the game and will be accompanied by a one-minute video board tribute.

"It is important for us as a community to come together in support after the tragic events of last week," JMU athletic director Jeff Bourne said. "Both Alison and Adam were shining lights for their alma maters, their families, their communities and their workplace at WDBJ."

JMU has established a memorial fund in recognition of Parker.

Liberty University also has announced its players will wear helmet decals honoring Parker and Ward when they face Delaware State on Saturday night. In addition, Virginia Tech will wear helmet decals in Monday night's game against reigning national champion Ohio State.