Topic: JMU will be full SBC and FBS member in 2022

[gochneaur645]

Although not eligible for title game or bowl game.

https://twitter.com/ChrisVannini/status/1488588582256316418

[herd2win]

What about us?  Very quiet.

[BerkshireHerdFan]

What about us?  Very quiet.

I think the SBC Presidednts met last week and if voted to go forward, Marshall should now be negotiating its exit with CUSA.

[gochneaur645]

What about us?  Very quiet.

Vannini noted later on in that thread that the status for Marshall, ODU, and USM is "still ongoing."

He wrote more about us and the others in an Athletic article posted below, but I can't access the paywall.

https://theathletic.com/news/james-madison-will-join-sun-belt-in-all-sports-starting-in-fall-2022-source/PSEFFdU45Kzd/

[GreenDaddy]

The article basically says that something will be known in the coming weeks. For what it is worth, some of the insiders over on the Sun Belt board are saying that a 14 team schedule has been drafted. Read into that as you like.

[Buffalo Bop]

https://twitter.com/GrantTraylor/status/1488657929569976323?s=20&t=2icm7y35VqGptqABTdBa0w

[muherd]

🙄

[forphase1]

They can't force us to stay.  Only question is how much would we have to pay to get out of the CUSA mess, and are we willing to pay it?  Only time and negotiations will tell.

[MUonium]

seems like just about everybody likes JMU coming in.  we may be cussing them before long because they're likely to give us/SBC real headaches sooner rather than later.  the east could be one of the best divisions in the the G5 in no time

[GreenDaddy]

seems like just about everybody likes JMU coming in.  we may be cussing them before long because they're likely to give us/SBC real headaches sooner rather than later.  the east could be one of the best divisions in the the G5 in no time

I personally believe they will become our most hated rival, even above Appalachian State. I am also willing to bet that if they have good teams that their fans will travel to Huntington in large numbers. Could be the start of something great. Also, I agree that the SBC East has potential to be really stout year in and out.

[mckayt]

They can't force us to stay.  Only question is how much would we have to pay to get out of the CUSA mess, and are we willing to pay it?  Only time and negotiations will tell.

My understanding is that we don't "pay" anything to get out of CUSA.  We only relinquish our share or portion of CUSA monies.  We just wouldn't receive what we have coming to us from CUSA.

[forphase1]

My understanding is that we don't "pay" anything to get out of CUSA.  We only relinquish our share or portion of CUSA monies.  We just wouldn't receive what we have coming to us from CUSA.

That's if we give proper notice and don't leave for 14 months.  Since we are trying to leave early there is a disagreement between us and CUSA as to what penalties, if any, should be assessed for not being willing to wait 14 months.  We will see how it all plays out.

[coalherd]

seems like just about everybody likes JMU coming in.  we may be cussing them before long because they're likely to give us/SBC real headaches sooner rather than later.  the east could be one of the best divisions in the the G5 in no time

Agree.  I remember reading an article on JMU sports in the Richmond newspaper early in the 2000s.  Their AD, IIRC, as well as others in their Administration apparently followed MU for a while and seemingly admired the way we transferred from 1-AA to D1 rather seamlessly and had smashing success in football. The article mentioned MU and it was stated that if JMU was to make the decision to "move up", meaning primarily in football, they would hope to copy in many respects.

Also, remember that they had a pretty longtime successful football program in 1-AA going back to the tenure of long time Head Coach, Chalice (sp) McMillon.  Some "old timers" might remember that we even hosted them during our earlier 1-AA Playoff days in a game at "Ye Olde Fairfield"!  Later they found greater post season success starting with the tenure of Mickey Mathews who had been a successful and popular D-Coordinator under Jim Donnan, including when we garnered our first National Championship under Coach D!  They've been a force and power in 1-AA football ever since, through a few Coaching changes, and have garnered at least 2 National Titles, same as the HERD, IIRC!

So yes, believe it, the JMU-MU rivalry, can be become one of the best and most rabid, not only in the Eastern Division of our new home, but in all of the SBC, fairly quickly!!

[puma]

It's kind of crazy to see a one-and-done money game matchup between G5 programs like that instead of a return game at an undetermined date. Even more bizarre that Middle Tennessee will apparently only have 5 home games next season.

[gochneaur645]

It's kind of crazy to see a one-and-done money game matchup between G5 programs like that instead of a return game at an undetermined date. Even more bizarre that Middle Tennessee will apparently only have 5 home games next season.

JMU was willing to pay out the ass for it so they could hit the 5 home game threshold vs FBS teams to be considered one themselves this season.

MTSU must be pretty desperate for cash considering exit fee money is the only reason they and WKU aren't headed to the MAC.

[svherd]

Frankly, I think JMU is much better positioned to have success coming into FBS and the SB than ODU and Charlotte ever were when they entered CUSA.

[herdhall]

Here is the Press Release from the JMU sports website:

https://jmusports.com/news/2022/2/2/administration-james-madison-to-compete-in-sun-belt-conference-in-2022-2023.aspx