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ELON, N.C. – As Elon embarks upon its membership in the Colonial Athletic Association and CAA Football, we will be posting a series of profiles on all of the CAA's current members – both full and associate – in sports in which Elon competes. These profiles will be posted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday through August 8. 

Today's profile is of all-sports member James Madison University.

 

James Madison University Nickname Dukes Location Harrisonburg, Va. Founded 1908 Enrollment 20,181 President Jonathan R. Alger Athletic Director Jeff Bourne Colors Purple & Gold CAA Member Since 1983 Athletic Web Page jmusports.com Distance From Elon 207 miles

James Madison University is a comprehensive university that is part of the statewide system of public higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is the only university in America named for James Madison.

Established March 14, 1908, the university offers programs on the bachelor's master's and doctoral levels with its primary emphasis on the undergraduate student. JMU provides a total education to students – one that has a broad range of the liberal arts as its foundation and encompasses an extensive variety of professional and pre-professional programs, augmented by a multitude of learning experiences outside the classroom. The university has been a coeducational institution since 1966.

JMU is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is approximately two hours from Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va.

James Madison University was founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. The university became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1924 and continued under that name until 1938, when it was named Madison College. On March 22, 1977, Virginia Governor Godwin Miles signed legislation renaming the university James Madison University.

JMU sponsors 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams.