The Shadow
HARRISONBURG, Va. (VR) — James Madison University will join the American Conference no later than July 1, 2028, following a unanimous vote by conference leaders.
The move ends JMU’s membership in the Sun Belt Conference and places 17 of the university’s 18 varsity sports under the American Conference umbrella. Field hockey will remain in the Mid-American Conference.
JMU officials said the move will strengthen the university’s academic and athletic opportunities while expanding its media exposure and national reach.
“The American Conference is the right home for James Madison University, academically, competitively, and geographically,” said Dave Rexrode, rector of the JMU Board of Visitors.
JMU President James Schmidt thanked American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and conference leaders for accepting the university’s application. He also recognized the Sun Belt for its role in the Dukes’ athletic growth.
JMU already competes in the American in lacrosse and swimming and diving. The Dukes have won the conference’s lacrosse championship in each of the past two seasons and reached the NCAA Championship in all four seasons as a member.
The Dukes joined the Sun Belt in 2022 while transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). They became full FBS members in 2024 and reached the College Football Playoff in 2025.
Since joining the Sun Belt, JMU has won conference championships in football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s soccer, and swimming and diving.
The Dukes also won FCS national football championships in 2004 and 2016, a lacrosse national title in 2018 and a field hockey national championship in 1994.
Athletic Director Matt Roan said the move will provide opportunities to grow the JMU brand and strengthen its athletic programs.
The American Conference has 13 full members, including Charlotte, East Carolina, Memphis, South Florida, Tulane and Tulsa. Army and Navy also compete in the conference for football.
JMU spent most of its Division I history in the Colonial Athletic Association before moving to the Sun Belt in 2022. The transition to the American Conference marks the next step in the university’s athletic expansion.
