Indiana Hoosiers agree to deal with Curt Cignetti as new football coach
The Indiana Hoosiers have hired Curt Cignetti as their new football coach. James Madison also announced Cignetti had resigned. The 62-year-old Cignetti spent the last five seasons with the Dukes, who he led to one of the most successful transition from FCS to FBS in NCAA history. He's 52-9 there with three conference titles and led No. 24 James Madison to a Sun Belt East Division title this season. Cignetti replaces Tom Allen, who was fired Sunday after seven full seasons with the Hoosiers. Cignetti says โI am excited to lead this program forward and change the culture, mindset, and expectation level of Hoosier football.โ
Virginia Attorney General hires law firm to represent James Madison in bowl eligibility dispute
The Virginia Attorney General has hired a law firm to represent James Madison University regarding the NCAAโs decision Wednesday night not to grant the Dukes a waiver from a rule that prevents the unbeaten No. 18 football team from an automatic bowl berth.
US universities launch partnership to elevate free speech to counter threats to democracy
The presidents of 13 universities are elevating free speech on their campuses this academic year, as part of a new nonprofit initiative announced Tuesday.
Cignetti contract extended through 2028 season
As part of the latest extension, Cignetti will also have one year automatically added to his contract by achieving eight wins against FBS opponents in any season during the length of the contract.
Roanoke Valley Schools, Teachers, and Students Earn Top Awards for Teen-Related Traffic Crash and Fatality Prevention Efforts
The Liberty and Jefferson Forest high school YOVASO clubs were among the 15 award winners recognized during the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) Awards Banquet held Saturday night, July 16, at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Va. A Liberty High School teacher was also recognized, as well as two students from Jefferson Forest High School. From Roanoke Co., Northside High School was recognized, as well as a Life Counselor at the school.
Three Virginia colleges enter agreement to bring virtual mental health services to students
Virginia Tech announced in a press release Thursday that they, along with James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University, have entered into an agreement with TimelyMD for student telehealth and tele-mental health services.
Mental health awareness month begins just a week after JMU softball playerโs death
James Madison University softball player, Lauren Bernett passed away last week. Her death is shedding a light on mental health concerns for student-athletes and people everywhere.
James Madison University cancels final softball games after catcherโs death
The final games of the James Madison University softball season have been canceled after the death of sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett last week.
Sheriff: JMU softball starโs death an apparent suicide
The death of a James Madison softball star has been classified as an apparent suicide, but Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said Wednesday that an investigation into the death is continuing.
WATCH: Funeral service held for two officers killed in Bridgewater College shooting
A joint funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday for two fallen heroes who were shot and killed during an active shooting incident at Bridgewater College.
JMU makes it official; Sun Belt Conference is next stop
James Madison decided Saturday to pursue a move to the Sun Belt Conference despite being told by the Colonial Athletic Association that it will be barred from participating in CAA championships before its actual departure.
![No. 8 Missouri forces decisive game three with 7-1 win over James Madison](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2rZdOWOm5zPYawl0Y6vPtifOggI=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DDO57K25OJAOVEFIMSIGIWDCEE.png)
No. 8 Missouri forces decisive game three with 7-1 win over James Madison
No. 8 seed Missouri utilized a six-run second inning en route to a 7-1 win against James Madison to even the best-of-three Super Regionals on Saturday night at the Mizzou Softball Stadium.
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JMU new arena tour
Every turn with a view of the 8,500 seat arena. โThereโs so many different ways you can describe it, it really took my breath away the first time i walked in with the court down, it took your breath away. Fans can enjoy a great view from the arena, donors can hang out in the Campanelli club before games, the walls honoring JMUโs rich basketball history. The lower level includes a new weight room, practice gym, sports medicine suite, nutrition station, menโs and womenโs locker rooms, studio, control room, media room and more. The court, bleeding with JMU purple, boasts a huge graphics package, removeable surface for concerts or events, and room for 44 courtside seats.
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The Latest: Australian hot spot extends state of emergency
(AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)MELBOURNE, Australia Australias hot spot Victoria state on Wednesday extended its state of emergency for another six months as its weekly average of new COVID-10 infections dipped to 95. The state health department reported 90 new infections and six deaths in the latest 24-hour period. ___WASHINGTON Federal officials will begin shipping tens of millions of rapid coronavirus tests to state governors this month for use in reopening schools. ___LAWRENCE, Kan. The University of Kansas is requiring no fans at athletic events and Kansas State University is battling four new coronavirus outbreaks. In the Manhattan, Kansas, health officials say the four newest outbreaks include 10 positive cases among the Kansas State football team.
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JMU temporarily transitions to online learning as campus sees rapid increase in positive cases
HARRISONBURG, Va. James Madison University will temporarily transition to online learning with few exceptions through the month of September. In a statement released Tuesday, university president Jonathan Alger said most in-person classes will transition online by Monday. JMU initially started the academic year with a mix of in-person, hybrid and online classes. We spent the last several months planning to start this year with a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online classes. In-person classes will transition online no later than this coming Monday, Sept. 7.
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JMU cancels fall football season, hoping to play in the spring
HARRISONBURG, Va. There will be no football in 2020 at James Madison University. On Friday, the university announced that it has suspended its fall football season, with hopes of a spring season. James Madison has suspended its fall football season & turns focus to hopeful FCS spring campaign.#GoDukeshttps://t.co/uaJlNS9Wv5 pic.twitter.com/dp47vWRhtD JMU Football (@JMUFootball) August 7, 2020In July, when the CAA, the conference in which JMU plays, announced its fall football season was canceled, JMU said it was still planning to play fall football. The CAA is planning to have a spring football season. As of Friday afternoon, greater than 50 percent of FCS institutions have postponed their fall football season.
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JMU not giving up on fall football, despite CAA canceling conference play
HARRISONBURG, Va. While the Colonial Athletic Association will not have football this fall, James Madison University isnt giving up on a fall season quite yet. On Friday, the CAA announced its decision to suspend conference play this fall for football. That includes football as well as other Fall sports, said athletic director Jeff Bourne said. We believe that we have a responsibility to explore all of the possible options at this point in time. Accordingly, while the majority of CAA institutions have decided not to continue with Fall football, we are currently looking at how to rebuild a schedule for the Fall season while following health and safety protocols and guidance.
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JMU is renaming halls that bear names of Confederate leaders
HARRISONBURG, Va. Virginia's James Madison University is renaming three buildings that bear the names of Confederate leaders. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that university's board of visitors voted to change the names of three halls following requests by students, alumni and campus organizations. The school in Harrisonburg has removed signs for the buildings on the quad and assigned temporary names. And Maury Hall is named for Matthew Fontaine Maury, a scientist and Confederate naval officer. James Madison was the slave-owning fourth U.S. president and chief architect of the U.S. Constitution.
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Fleming football sending 40 percent of their senior roster to next level
Roanoke, Va. โ Itโs a number we like to talk about, and the larger it gets, the better off we all are. Forty percent of William Flemingโs senior class is headed to play football in college. Daequan Nichols is a versatile talent, passing for 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns, and catching five as well. โIt makes us feel great knowing that we have this many people are determined --not just to go to college but to play sports in college. Not many people get to play at the next level,โ Nichols said.
![Deaquan Nichols setting the standard for the neWFleming at the home of the Colonels](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/YGBpUGwNb8lT0D77B_Vn5Y2Fhb4=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/05-20-2020/t_f4f1b80648f945d69a145c64792b8f89_name_image.jpg)
Deaquan Nichols setting the standard for the neWFleming at the home of the Colonels
ROANOKE, Va. Deaquan Nichols has been a difference-maker for William Fleming, in more ways than one. One of the things we had to figure out was where to put him, said William Fleming head football coach, Jamar Lovelace. So I wanted to be the best student and the best athlete, Nichols said. Im just a kid from Roanoke City, William Fleming High School. This school is always talked bad about but yet I can go to Princeton, Harvard, go to all these great schools.
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JMU to continue with online learning for remainder of semester, postponing graduation
University leaders say degrees will be conferred on time in May and diplomas will be mailed this summer, in accordance with the standard university process. (1/4) โ JMU (@JMU) March 18, 2020ORIGINAL STORYAnother local university is adjusting operations during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Starting on March 23, university officials say most classes will be held online until at least April 5. The university will stay open to provide student services, including those provided by the University Health Center and Counseling Center. University officials say there will be another update by at least March 27 regarding the plan of action after April 5.