James Madison leaving Sun Belt for American after conference accepts application

JMU, the most successful Group of Six football program over the last four years, is set to join the American no later than July 1, 2028 James Madison announced on Monday that the school will leave the Sun Belt after its application to join the American Conference was accepted. The Dukes will join the American as a full league member "no later than July 1, 2028," with the official date of their change still to be determined. "The American is home to member institutions who share our ambitious academic goals and our unwavering commitment to student success," JMU president James Schmidt said in a statement. "Our student-athletes will compete in cities where JMU alumni are already rooted and future Dukes will fill the stands.

With this move, we carry deep appreciation for the Sun Belt Conference and its member institutions. Their partnership helped position JMU for this moment, and we are proud of everything we built together." While the move affects the entire James Madison athletics department, the focal point is the football program. James Madison has been one of the most successful Group of Six football programs since moving from FCS to FBS in 2022. The Dukes have amassed a 46-11 record in their four-plus years at the FBS level and have gone 28-7 in Sun Belt play. After