James Madison has sent a letter to the NCAA Board of Directors requesting the organization allow the Dukes to be eligible for postseason competition. In the, letter obtained by multiple outlets, JMU points to its overall success in the Sun Belt and strong scholarship funding levels as extenuating circumstances.
The Dukes have put together one of the greatest transitional runs in NCAA history, posting a 17-3 record in their first 20 games as an FBS member. JMU sits at 9-0 in 2023 and ranks No. 21 in the AP Top 25, the second-best ranking in the nation for a Group of Five team. But thanks to NCAA transition rules which make an FCS-to-FBS transitioning team ineligible for the postseason in their first two seasons, the Dukes are unable to play for a Sun Belt title or appear in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
“JMU presents a unique set of factors in making this request for relief,” the letter reads. “No other school has gone above and beyond the transition requirements in all the ways we have. This request is specific, unique, and consistent with the principles of student-athlete welfare espoused by the NCAA.”
James Madison previously applied for a waiver to shorten its FBS transition from two years to one after the Dukes went 8-3 in their first FBS season under coach Curt Cignetti. The waiver was ultimately denied.
Said the NCAA in a statement to The Athletic: “The NCAA has received a waiver request from James Madison and the request will be considered by the appropriate membership committees in a timely manner.”
In their letter, the school’s administration points to amended requirements for FBS participation that include a higher minimum scholarship requirement and at least $6 million in annual spending. The Dukes have…
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