"JMU has been extremely successful during its time as a member of CAA Football and has brought great recognition to the conference. The conference had told James Madison that it will be barred from participating in CAA championships before its actual departure. The Dukes' withdrawal from the CAA is effective June 30, 2022, the CAA said. James Madison decided to pursue a move to the Sun Belt Conference despite being told by the Colonial Athletic Association that it will be barred from participating in CAA championships before its actual departure. We have always sought to do things the right way as a university for our students, faculty and staff, student-athletes and coaches and the time is right for JMU to move up to the highest level in D-I athletics and enter the Sun Belt!" "We are thrilled to have received and accepted an invitation into this conference, with a new and visionary opportunity for high-level competition within the eastern region. "As James Madison University prepares and anticipates to earn additional national recognition for our academic programs and excellence, admission into the Sun Belt Conference is a natural and complementary next step for our institution," Alger said. The Dukes participate in 18 varsity sports. James Madison, previously a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference, will compete in the Sun Belt in all sports. The Dukes' addition brings the number of Sun Belt members to 16, with the Dukes joining Appalachian State, Little Rock, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisiana, ULM, South Alabama, UTA, Texas State and Troy, along with new members Southern Miss, Old Dominion and Marshall, which announced plans to join the Sun Belt last week. I am grateful to JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletics director Jeff Bourne for their leadership during this process and look forward to working closely with them moving forward." "This move brings another strong brand and passionate fan base into the Sun Belt and elevates the Dukes' storied football program to the highest level of NCAA competition. "We are thrilled to welcome James Madison University to the Sun Belt Conference," Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill said. James Madison has officially accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, it was announced Saturday.Īn FCS powerhouse that won the national title in 2016 and has made two title-game appearances since, James Madison will begin a two-year transition to the FBS after this season and will join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2023. James Madison Dukes making move to FBS, joining Sun Belt ConferenceĬollege Football, Men's College Basketball, Women's College Basketball, NCAA - Other, James Madison Dukes, James Madison Dukes, James Madison Dukes You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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