JMU football adds seventh home game versus Charlotte for 2013

The James Madison University football program has added a 12th game to its 2013 schedule as the Dukes will host Charlotte on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m., at Bridgeforth Stadium. The game fills an open date for both squads, with a return game to Charlotte to be scheduled in the near future for this home-and-home series.

Returning as a member of Conference USA starting in the 2013-14 year, the 49ers football team will play its inaugural season in 2013 as an independent FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) program and will compete in its first FBS season in Conference USA in 2015.  Charlotte will be bowl eligible for football in the 2016 season.

“We have always kept our options open for a 12th game and this was a great opportunity to have one and to get it at home,” Head Coach Mickey Matthews said. “It gives us the chance to give the JMU Nation another great game day experience at Bridgeforth Stadium, while taking advantage of the first of the two years that allows us to play 12 games. I am grateful to the administration of both schools for working to make this game to occur.”

“I want to thank everyone at JMU as well as Charlotte AD Judy Rose for their work on this series,” Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. “We are always looking to maximize the experience for our student-athletes and this opportunity allowed us to do that for our football program. We are excited to be able to play an up-and-coming program like Charlotte, as it will give another one of our great JMU alumni bases an opportunity to see the Dukes play in their hometown.”

Season ticket holders will receive this bonus game at no extra charge as part of their season ticket package.  Due to the late nature of this schedule addition, most accounts will receive their tickets and parking for the game against Charlotte in a different mailing, separate from their season ticket package.

Single game tickets for this game are available to purchase online or by calling the Ticket Office at 540-568-3853.  This game will be featured in season ticket and min-plan packages going forward.

Direct link for single game tickets:  http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=FBS&linkID=jmu&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=