James Madison to compete in Sun Belt in all sports starting July 1, 2022

NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference and James Madison University announced on Wednesday that the Dukes will compete as a conference member in all sports sponsored by the Sun Belt, including football, with an official transition date of July 1, 2022. The announcement comes following a Nov. 6, 2021 announcement that the move would occur no later than July 1, 2023.

“We look forward to JMU competing as a full member of the Sun Belt Conference in the Fall of 2022. I want to thank JMU President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne for positioning themselves so well to allow for such a quick transition. None of this could be possible without tremendous leadership and preparation,” said SBC Commissioner Keith Gill. “I’d also like to thank our current member institution presidents and athletic directors for helping make this transition for JMU take place a year ahead of schedule. We certainly appreciate the collaborative process.”

JMU will compete in the Sun Belt in the Fall of 2022 in volleyball, cross country, women’s soccer, football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, track & field, softball and baseball.

“JMU is ecstatic to be joining the Sun Belt Conference, and it’s a win-win for everyone involved that this transition will take place this July,” said JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne. “Each of our sports will be a great fit for the Sun Belt and bring value to the conference while also being positioned to be successful from day one. I’d like to thank Keith Gill, the rest of the Sun Belt staff, and the member institution presidents and athletic directors for their hard work to make this happen.”

JMU football went 12-2 in its final FCS season, reaching the national semifinals for the fifth time in the last six years. The Dukes are 33-5 in three seasons under Head Coach Curt Cignetti.

“We believe that JMU is uniquely situated for a successful transition to playing FBS football,” said Bourne. “Given the overall strength of our program and the attractiveness of the move to the Sun Belt, we did not feel it was in our best interest to construct a gradual transition. The opportunity to play a full FBS schedule as a member of the Sun Belt, including five FBS programs visiting Bridgeforth Stadium, is a significant step forward for our program and our university.”

Beginning July 1, 2022, members of the Sun Belt Conference will include App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, ULM, South Alabama, Texas State and Troy.

About the Sun Belt Conference

App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisiana, ULM, South Alabama, Texas State and Troy give the league 10 football members. Little Rock and UTA compete as Sun Belt members in sports other than football.