James Madison has had a rapid rise in the college football landscape, prompting plenty to wonder about “The Dukes’” story. Unlike many universities, James Madison’s name does not make it clear what city the campus is located.
James Madison is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as fans may remember “College GameDay” making two trips to JMU in 2017 and 2023. According to James Madison, the school has an enrollment of 21,112 undergraduate students plus an additional 1,767 graduate students enrolled.
“Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley,” James Madison boasts on the university’s website. “JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are here because they want to pursue knowledge and make teaching their No. 1 priority.”
Here’s what you need to know about James Madison.
Why Is JMU Called The Dukes?
There is plenty of confusion about James Madison’s nickname of Dukes. JMU’s mascot is technically a bulldog wearing a crown, but the nickname comes from the university’s former president.
“In all likelihood, James Madison University is the only college or university in the country whose athletic teams draw their nickname from the name of the school’s president,” JMU’s detailed on their website. “Men first enrolled at Madison College as regular session students following World War II as a result of a request to the college from the Veterans Administration. Thirty-nine men enrolled in 1946 and 101 during the 1947-48 session.
“The first men’s basketball team was formed in 1947 and the players chose the nickname ‘The Dukes,’ in honor of Madison President Samuel P. Duke. The players told President Duke they would name their team for him if he’d provide them with towels and equipment.”
Ex-Florida Coach Billy Napier Will Replace Bob Chesney at James Madison
James Madison just joined the FBS level in 2023 as JMU has made the College Football Playoff just three seasons into being the class of the Sun Belt. Bob Chesney is still coaching James Madison in the College Football Playoff despite the coach already accepting the UCLA job.
JMU already has a plan as former Florida head coach Billy Napier will replace Chesney. Napier may have struggled in the at Florida in the SEC, but the coach thrived during his previous Group of Six stop at Louisiana.
“I’ve been blown away with the alignment & vision at JMU,” Napier noted in a statement after accepting the JMU position. “There is dynamic leadership in this administration.
“Our team, staff and entire organization will work daily to promote a program with integrity and class that will be a source of pride for all of us. More importantly, we will build a culture that is centered around making an impact on our players as people, as students and on the field as elite athletes.”
James Madison heads into the College Football Playoff as a massive underdog against Oregon. Regardless of the outcome, JMU is already doing more with less and is taking full advantage of the program’s recent move to FBS.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post James Madison’s Location: Where Is JMU’s City Located Amid CFP Run? appeared first on Heavy Sports.