From the article:
"If the true intent of the two-year transition is to ensure that schools are equipped to operate in a sustainable manner at the FBS level, we believe that we've already checked every box," JMU athletic director Jeff Bourne
told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "JMU never wanted any part of transitioning with uncertainty or on a whim; we wanted to be fully prepared, and we believe that plan was successfully executed."
It's certainly not beyond the NCAA to grant exceptions. When Liberty University made the jump from FCS to FBS in 2017, the NCAA
waived the requirement that a school must be invited by a conference.
Before this rule was adopted, teams could compete in bowls right away. When Marshall University joined the FBS in 1996, for example, moving from the Southern Conference to the Mid-American Conference, it immediately was bowl-eligible and
played in the Motor City Bowl following its first two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Sun Belt's bylaws prohibit teams that aren't bowl-eligible from competing for its conference title. Last year, despite leading the East division, JMU had to concede its title-game spot to Coastal Carolina University, which it had beaten 47-7 during the season.
Despite not making an exception in JMU's case, Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill credits JMU with making a successful transition to the big leagues of college football and called the NCAA ban "
unfortunate."
To be fair, the NCAA's rule isn't arbitrary and does have logic behind it — to a point. Writing for CBS Sports,
Shehan Jeyarajah explains:
"While the rule will be a frustration for James Madison fans, it's intended as a buffer for programs transitioning without putting thought into their decision. Some teams have a great quarterback or roster that could compete for national acclaim; a transition to the FBS level is supposed to be a 50-year decision, not to capitalize on one team."
At the same time, however, it's perfectly fine for student-athletes to be opportunistic and seek immediate payoffs. In 2021, the NCAA
relaxed its rules governing the
transfer portal, eliminating the one-year waiting period and allowing athletes to compete on their new teams right away. Many athletes have used the transfer portal to pursue lucrative
name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals without penalty.
So student-athletes can reap immediate rewards from switching schools, but schools cannot reap immediate rewards from switching subdivisions.
Putting together an undefeated season, college football's JMU Dukes can't compete for their conference title or play in a bowl game.
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