The American Conference Board of Directors voted unanimously today to admit James Madison University (JMU) as a full member of the conference. James Madison will begin competition in the American no later than July 1, 2028.

https://theamerican.org/news/2026/10/12/...rsity.aspx

Good addition, happy to have them.

Unfortunately, it's another team that will beat down on Rice football.

I think they alfeady compete in swimming and diving in the American?

Seems fine, and we're certainly in no position to look down on anyone. But this makes the conference further irrelevant to current students. How many of them could name the state JMU is in?

I would hope the history and political science majors could.

(10-12-2026 03:18 PM)Intellectual_Brutality Wrote:  Seems fine, and we're certainly in no position to look down on anyone. But this makes the conference further irrelevant to current students. How many of them could name the state JMU is in?

They might not care about James Madison the school all too much, but James Madison the ranked opponent coming into town being broadcasted on ESPN2 would catch attention. As long as we don't play them on a Thursday night on Halloween, like Memphis last year, that's the kind of game that students get up for.

Good addition.

I think is a great addition. JMU is serious about sports and not just football. The volleyball is quite good, for starters. For those of us in Virginia, it will also increase opportunities to see the Owls!

(10-12-2026 03:02 PM)Texasowl Wrote:  I think they alfeady compete in swimming and diving in the American?

Yes, AND women’s lacrosse.

Only one time have two G-teams cracked the CFP code in the same year.* (JMU and Tulane, 2025)

And now they’re both AMERICAN teams.





(*honorable mention to Boise and TCU making the NYD show back in the day, actually that might have been what precipitated Boise getting the MWC invite if I have my timeline right)

Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

Our first regional win under Wayne Graham (in 1995) was against James Madison.

(10-12-2026 03:18 PM)Intellectual_Brutality Wrote:  Seems fine, and we're certainly in no position to look down on anyone. But this makes the conference further irrelevant to current students. How many of them could name the state JMU is in?

Most students from (or alumni living in) the greater DC/Baltimore area will know where James Madison is, and could travel to a game. It’s not the most prestigious university, but it certainly brings more to the table beyond athletics than, say, North Dakota State

(10-12-2026 11:37 PM)sammyleadstheway Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 03:18 PM)Intellectual_Brutality Wrote:  Seems fine, and we're certainly in no position to look down on anyone. But this makes the conference further irrelevant to current students. How many of them could name the state JMU is in?

Most students from (or alumni living in) the greater DC/Baltimore area will know where James Madison is, and could travel to a game. It’s not the most prestigious university, but it certainly brings more to the table beyond athletics than, say, North Dakota State

I believe it’s top five in the conference now.

(10-12-2026 10:08 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

Rice baseball played James Madison in one of our very first NCAA regionals, back when those were six-team tournaments. I'm pretty sure that my taunts of "Hamilton was a more original thinker!" and "You let the Brits burn the White House!" were the keys to Rice's victory. :)

(10-12-2026 10:08 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

How about our last CWS appearance?

(10-13-2026 11:17 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 10:08 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

How about our last CWS appearance?

That, thankfully was closer to today. (2008)

Also, as I bragged on the conference board, it occurred after our current team had already been born. Unlike JMU’s!

(10-13-2026 09:59 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 10:08 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

Rice baseball played James Madison in one of our very first NCAA regionals, back when those were six-team tournaments. I'm pretty sure that my taunts of "Hamilton was a more original thinker!" and "You let the Brits burn the White House!" were the keys to Rice's victory. :)

Well played!

Perhaps we can re-use those in a year or two once we start playing.

Also maybe mix in “your wife makes individually wrapped snack cakes!”

(10-13-2026 11:37 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 09:59 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 10:08 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice’s baseball national championship was closer in time to JMU’s CWS appearance (1983) than to today.

Rice baseball played James Madison in one of our very first NCAA regionals, back when those were six-team tournaments. I'm pretty sure that my taunts of "Hamilton was a more original thinker!" and "You let the Brits burn the White House!" were the keys to Rice's victory. :)

Well played!

Perhaps we can re-use those in a year or two once we start playing.

Also maybe mix in “your wife makes individually wrapped snack cakes!”

I love me some fresh Zingers (both the barbs and snack cakes - take your pick).