JMU’s Board of Visitors approves move to FBS and Sun Belt Conference, and Marshall reportedly commits

Jami Frankenberry, The Virginian-Pilot
·1 min read
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JMU’s Board of Visitors approves move to FBS and Sun Belt Conference, and Marshall reportedly commits

Count James Madison and Marshall in.

Both schools took steps toward the anticipated completion of the new-look Sun Belt Conference on Friday — a day after Old Dominion officially announced the Monarchs were departing Conference USA.

JMU’s Board of Visitors on Friday voted unanimously to approve a move from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Sun Belt, the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record reported.

“I think the time is right for this conversation that the university is truly being recognized as a national university in multiple ways, as we all know, right now, “ JMU president Jonathan Alger told the board at the end of the meeting, according to the News-Record. “So, I think that the timing is right for this important conversation.”

Meanwhile, multiple media outlets — including Yahoo Sports and The Athletic — reported that Marshall has informed the Sun Belt the school will join.

ODU and Marshall are among the schools leaving Conference USA. Alabama Birmingham, Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice and UT San Antonio all previously announced they were leaving for the American Athletic Conference.

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com