From JMU Board - This was at the end of a long email from Pres. Alger to JMU employees titled "Spring Update" ...

Conference Affiliation Discussions: The topic of athletics conference membership continues to be on the minds of many of our constituents. As we plot our course through a constantly shifting landscape, we remain committed to thoughtful and open communication.

We are well aware of the changing scene within our conference as well as nationally. In response, we have engaged in a rigorous analysis of our athletic profile within the context of our strategic planning process. This process, resulting in The Madison Plan, confirmed our institutional core values: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus. Further, we determined that any new conference membership opportunity must align with the following guiding principles and criteria: academic profile and fit, university culture, student and student-athlete welfare, financial impact and sustainability, competitive balance, and geographic footprint. Feedback received from the JMU community and its many constituencies through extensive and thoughtful dialogue supports these values and principles, and we will use them as criteria for all future decisions, including those involving athletics.

Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria. If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. This process is ongoing and will require continued support on the part of the university, students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and fans.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the close of our spring sports season and looking forward to an exciting new year in 2014-15 across our entire athletics program.

As you can tell, it has been an eventful year at JMU. JMU is clearly on the move, and we are excited about the future as we continue to dream big together. Thank you all for being part of the JMU community!

Jon Alger

President

Wow! If that is legitimate it is also VERY telling about what the discussions sounded like in Harrisonburg.

Taking DG at his word, and assuming the CCG proposal is adopted. Why in the world would the SBC add UMass, even for a temporary period? Keep Idaho on for as long as the contract requires, then drop to 10 and call it a day.

(04-16-2014 08:35 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  From JMU Board - This was at the end of a long email from Pres. Alger to JMU employees titled "Spring Update" ...

Conference Affiliation Discussions: The topic of athletics conference membership continues to be on the minds of many of our constituents. As we plot our course through a constantly shifting landscape, we remain committed to thoughtful and open communication.

We are well aware of the changing scene within our conference as well as nationally. In response, we have engaged in a rigorous analysis of our athletic profile within the context of our strategic planning process. This process, resulting in The Madison Plan, confirmed our institutional core values: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus. Further, we determined that any new conference membership opportunity must align with the following guiding principles and criteria: academic profile and fit, university culture, student and student-athlete welfare, financial impact and sustainability, competitive balance, and geographic footprint. Feedback received from the JMU community and its many constituencies through extensive and thoughtful dialogue supports these values and principles, and we will use them as criteria for all future decisions, including those involving athletics.

Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria. If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. This process is ongoing and will require continued support on the part of the university, students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and fans.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the close of our spring sports season and looking forward to an exciting new year in 2014-15 across our entire athletics program.

As you can tell, it has been an eventful year at JMU. JMU is clearly on the move, and we are excited about the future as we continue to dream big together. Thank you all for being part of the JMU community!

Jon Alger

President

Like I said. They don't want to be with a bunch of deep south rubes. JMU is so academically superior with a better class of people involved with their program that affiliating would cause the walls to collapse and average students would suddenly feel welcome there.

(04-16-2014 08:38 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  Wow! If that is legitimate it is also VERY telling about what the discussions sounded like in Harrisonburg.

That's really been the party line the whole time.

http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=209320678

(04-16-2014 08:39 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-16-2014 08:35 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  From JMU Board - This was at the end of a long email from Pres. Alger to JMU employees titled "Spring Update" ...

Conference Affiliation Discussions: The topic of athletics conference membership continues to be on the minds of many of our constituents. As we plot our course through a constantly shifting landscape, we remain committed to thoughtful and open communication.

We are well aware of the changing scene within our conference as well as nationally. In response, we have engaged in a rigorous analysis of our athletic profile within the context of our strategic planning process. This process, resulting in The Madison Plan, confirmed our institutional core values: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus. Further, we determined that any new conference membership opportunity must align with the following guiding principles and criteria: academic profile and fit, university culture, student and student-athlete welfare, financial impact and sustainability, competitive balance, and geographic footprint. Feedback received from the JMU community and its many constituencies through extensive and thoughtful dialogue supports these values and principles, and we will use them as criteria for all future decisions, including those involving athletics.

Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria. If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. This process is ongoing and will require continued support on the part of the university, students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and fans.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the close of our spring sports season and looking forward to an exciting new year in 2014-15 across our entire athletics program.

As you can tell, it has been an eventful year at JMU. JMU is clearly on the move, and we are excited about the future as we continue to dream big together. Thank you all for being part of the JMU community!

Jon Alger

President

Like I said. They don't want to be with a bunch of deep south rubes. JMU is so academically superior with a better class of people involved with their program that affiliating would cause the walls to collapse and average students would suddenly feel welcome there.

That sucks for JMU fans. Let's just find the program that works best geographically and competitively for the SBC and move on.

JMU better hope another large realignment shift occurs in the next 12 months. If the MAC doesn't need members they aren't getting an invite.

If CUSA was raided and they needed members they are much more likely to look at the MAC or Sun Belt vs. another transitional.

Shortsighted.

(04-16-2014 04:26 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

If they cannot afford it truthfully, then they cannot afford it. Would be the same with Sun Belt, CUSA, or MAC it sounds like. You just would want to shake your administration though if they didn't tell you that long before now. Seems their Carr Report didn't see it the same way their administration does. Guess Liberty is the only potential Virginia candidate left. Would hate to be a Dukes fan under these circumstances.

Keep in mind the Carr Report was completed under the previous JMU administration. Having served on ASU's 1st 1A Study Committee (Carr also did our study) I know the report usually comes back saying what the administration wants it to say. After the conclusion of our study was revealed some on the committee disputed and proved, by the numbers, Carr's conclusions were flawed. Outfits like The Carr Group get future business by gaining recommendations from previous clients. You better believe they are going to give them exactly what they want to hear.

(04-16-2014 08:31 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  JMU very well could have said no to the Sunbelt, but the idea JMU wouldn't go to the MAC/CUSA if invited today seems incorrect IMO. There are fiscal concerns and an overreliance on student fees, but I have always been under the impression JMU doesn't think the Sun Belt is a good fit geographically (students don't come from south) as well as academic concerns (staying with peers).

As has been posted, the academic differences between the SBC, the MAC, and CUSA are negligible. That excuse can only be used to justify staying in the CAA, which by a number of metrics is indeed above the aforementioned three.

(04-16-2014 08:31 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  JMU very well could have said no to the Sunbelt, but the idea JMU wouldn't go to the MAC/CUSA if invited today seems incorrect IMO. There are fiscal concerns and an overreliance on student fees, but I have always been under the impression JMU doesn't think the Sun Belt is a good fit geographically (students don't come from south) as well as academic concerns (staying with peers).

There are a lot of white lies and half truths told so as not to disrespect fellow schools or in other words just being politically correct. Sometimes making these comments though is to coverup your own shortcomings. It's not always easy to figure out the entire truth. Sometimes one has to read between the lines. The full truth will likely come out in the wash.

I really feel bad for my JMU friends. They have a great school and an awesome fanbase. Hopefully the tide shifts for them in the coming years.

In the meantime, we continue to wear you all down with our availability.

(04-16-2014 08:35 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  From JMU Board - This was at the end of a long email from Pres. Alger to JMU employees titled "Spring Update" ...

Conference Affiliation Discussions: The topic of athletics conference membership continues to be on the minds of many of our constituents. As we plot our course through a constantly shifting landscape, we remain committed to thoughtful and open communication.

We are well aware of the changing scene within our conference as well as nationally. In response, we have engaged in a rigorous analysis of our athletic profile within the context of our strategic planning process. This process, resulting in The Madison Plan, confirmed our institutional core values: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus. Further, we determined that any new conference membership opportunity must align with the following guiding principles and criteria: academic profile and fit, university culture, student and student-athlete welfare, financial impact and sustainability, competitive balance, and geographic footprint. Feedback received from the JMU community and its many constituencies through extensive and thoughtful dialogue supports these values and principles, and we will use them as criteria for all future decisions, including those involving athletics.

Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria. If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. This process is ongoing and will require continued support on the part of the university, students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and fans.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the close of our spring sports season and looking forward to an exciting new year in 2014-15 across our entire athletics program.

As you can tell, it has been an eventful year at JMU. JMU is clearly on the move, and we are excited about the future as we continue to dream big together. Thank you all for being part of the JMU community!

Jon Alger

President

This is a rejection of the Sun Belt not the FBS. They have decided that they don't fit into the SBC and I respect that. It could be seen as snobbish but I think their administration just can't envision JMU as a deep South school. It tends to draw its students from Virginia north. Perhaps things will work out for them and something will open up in due time. However, I think they may be overlooking the notion that you first have to get on the train before you can get where you want to go. But, I'm sure they feel they are making the right decision for all aspects of the university. Short term pain, long term gain...I suppose that's the approach in Harrisonburg.

The bias against the south that still exists in the 21st century truly amazes me...and they call us ignorant and backwards? Give me a break.

How can we possibly expect JMU to play various sports contests against us dumb Southerners?

(04-16-2014 08:31 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  JMU very well could have said no to the Sunbelt, but the idea JMU wouldn't go to the MAC/CUSA if invited today seems incorrect IMO. There are fiscal concerns and an overreliance on student fees, but I have always been under the impression JMU doesn't think the Sun Belt is a good fit geographically (students don't come from south) as well as academic concerns (staying with peers).

How can that be true if by JMU's own report that only 30% of their students are from out of state.

I don't think it is that as much as the stretch they see in the footprint. I'm not offended by their decision. If it is a mistake, it is their's to make.

(04-15-2014 11:11 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 10:39 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 07:25 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  A very informed source has told me JMU's Board of Visitors met in a closed door session this past weekend to discuss SunBelt membership. After a lengthy discussion JMU's administration decided to turn down an opportunity to join the SunBelt. It was emphasised JMU does not have an invite to CUSA or the MAC as neither conference will be expanding in the foreseeable future. This is likely JMU's last opportunity to make the FBS move for some time to come. There are obviously financial situations in play as President Alger has told JMU alumni groups he would pursue FBS if someone steps up and writes a 7 figure check. It is believed the SunBelt will now pursue UMass for football only and NMSU for all sports.

So am I to assume that JMU would have turned down CUSA and The MAC without that "7 figure check"? So if they had a "7 figure check" then JMU would join the SBC?

Benson has clearly stated one team and a travel partner for App State. So UMASS for football and NMSU for all sports does not get to the goal that Benson set.

I think I will wait for an official yes or no from JMU. If it is a no, then I would bet the house on Liberty.

Based on what I was told yes they would have turned down a CUSA or MAC invite. This is clearly NOT just about the SunBelt, but FBS football overall. All my info tells me JMU simply isn't ready financially to make the jump. And that's OK. People are jumping to all kinds of conclusions over this post. I don't think it is a situation where the administration is purposely ignoring their fans, it may be they are just unsure how to approach them about it. If you're betting the house on Liberty, you better have another place to crash lined up. It's my understanding they've got no shot.

BUt EKU is ready ? I guarentee James Madison is in way better shape than EKU....

(04-16-2014 09:01 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(04-16-2014 08:31 AM)UofRfan Wrote:  JMU very well could have said no to the Sunbelt, but the idea JMU wouldn't go to the MAC/CUSA if invited today seems incorrect IMO. There are fiscal concerns and an overreliance on student fees, but I have always been under the impression JMU doesn't think the Sun Belt is a good fit geographically (students don't come from south) as well as academic concerns (staying with peers).

How can that be true if by JMU's own report that only 30% of their students are from out of state.

Northern Virginia is not very southern.

I think this is about not wanting to piss off their faculty and the like by moving to FBS. That group is never going to be happy so you can't worry about it.