The NCAA Division I Board of Governors on Wednesday rejected James Madison’s second attempt at a waiver of full bowl eligibility, according to a person briefed on the decision. Here’s what you need to know:
- James Madison is in his second year on an FCS-FBS transition team, which means he won’t be eligible for this year’s postseason unless a 6-6 bowl team falls short. Despite the denial, JMU still has a chance of reaching a bowl game due to the lack of a good 6-on-6 team.
- After going 8-3 as an FBS team last year, JMU filed a waiver requesting a one-year transition instead of the NCAA-mandated two years. It was denied in the spring.
- This year’s JMU team is 10-0 and could earn a spot in the New Year’s 6 spot in Group 5 if fully qualified. Per conference policy, the Dukes are ineligible for CFP rankings and will not be eligible for the Sun Belt Championship Game.
- Jacksonville State’s FBS bowl and Tarleton State’s FCS playoff exemptions were also denied.
Is this a surprise?
JMU officials weren’t feeling optimistic heading into the hearing, but remained hopeful. JMU’s waiver claim is that it spent its first transition season in the FBS and Sun Belt, unlike most transition teams that spend their first year in the FCS (like Jacksonville State and Sam Houston). It was based on fact.
The Dukes have also clearly proven they belong at the FBS level, with an 18-3 record since the move and an athletic budget on par with their conference peers. If any team deserved a waiver, it was this one. — Chris Vannini, Senior CFB Writer
Why was it rejected?
Most of all, the NCAA committee and other schools didn’t want to set a precedent, especially after denying it in the spring. Rules are rules. JMU acknowledged that it was aware of the rules when it took this step, and did the same when it was initially denied a waiver.
These classification rules come up frequently in basketball. Fairleigh Dickinson only defeated No. 1 seed Purdue in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this spring. Merrimack, the Northeast Conference champion, was ineligible to participate in the tournament as a Division 2 transition school. This jump will take him four years.
This also comes at a time when FBS requirements are becoming more stringent. Last month, the Division I Board of Regents changed his FBS requirements, removing the attendance requirement, but adding him $5 million in application fees (from $5,000) and making the scholarship availability requirements more stringent. did. The FBS will expand to 134 teams next year with the addition of Kennesaw State. More guardrails are being installed and allowing schools to circumvent some of the rules is not compatible with areas where the wind is blowing. — Vannini
Why does the reclassification process exist?
“The requirements for members to transition to FBS are based on factors other than athletic ability,” the trustees said in a statement, in part. These aim to ensure that schools have properly assessed the long-term sustainability of their subdivisions. Sponsoring sports at this level requires increased scholarships, expanded athletics compliance efforts, and additional academic and mental health support for student-athletes. The transition period is intended to give members time to adjust to these increased requirements for placing student-athletes at these schools. for long-term success.
“Division I members are continually evaluating transition requirements, and the Board believes that if Division I members believe the requirements are not appropriate, their concerns should be addressed by a rule change rather than a request for a waiver.” I continue to believe that.”
What’s next?
JMU will host College GameDay this Saturday, and there’s no doubt the show will be filled with anger directed at the NCAA. It’s now the size of ESPN’s premier pregame show. Pat McAfee imagines he’ll have some things to say about this.
The Dukes will also host Appalachian State and play Coastal Carolina next week. Both App and Coastal are in the race for a spot in the Sun Belt East, which JMU is not eligible to play. JMU and Liberty could meet in a bowl game and both could be undefeated.this week’s The Athletic Bowl projection features JMU vs. Toledo in the Cure Bowl.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has already lobbied once on Dukes’ behalf, sending a letter to NCAA President Charlie Barker that was largely rejected. Miyares and other state politicians who have taken up the cause could create a new impetus.
If JMU runs the standings, like UCF did in 2017, there will be more fan support to declare them national champions. As long as we go undefeated, I have no problem with that. — Vannini
what they are saying
“We are clearly disappointed in the outcome of the NCAA’s review of our bowl relief request,” JMU said in a statement. “We feel sorry for our university community and are especially devastated for our football program, the coaches and student-athletes who put together a great season and earned the opportunity to do so. With a great week ahead of us with College Game Day and the final home game coming up, we are focused on making the most of this moment for our college and celebrating our senior class. .”
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(Photo: Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)