William & Mary to join Patriot League in 2026

[Wood Hall]

You seem informed about the Georgetown program, why haven’t they upgraded it a little with scholarships
and a more serious approach to winning?

IDK, but they must be happy with what they are doing because they haven't changed anything. They can recruit quality kids who value a GU education and don't cause problems. Winning would be a bonus.

 

[SFspidur]

Regarding positioning of PL football:

The additions of the University of Richmond and William & Mary could be viewed as the Patriot League’s trending moments toward becoming the premier FCS league in the east.

“It’s our goal,” Jennifer Heppel, the Patriot League commissioner, said in a Tuesday afternoon interview. [...]

“We’ve heard a lot of incredibly positive reaction, which we anticipated,” said Heppel, the PL commissioner since 2015, said of the UR and W&M additions. “Our schools that have been members for a number of years have been making strategic decisions to put Patriot League football in a place to become attractive to schools like Richmond and William & Mary.

“And so it is fantastic to see that pay off.”

Regarding potential for additional expansion (*cough* Villanova *cough*):

“Right now, I’m getting ready to go into spring meetings. We’re not making any moves this week,” Heppel said.

Regarding grad transfers and possibility of full membership for W&M:

The Patriot League prohibits graduate transfers, but Heppel said that’s a policy “we continue to discuss.”

Regarding the possibility of W&M bringing its other sports to the Patriot League, Heppel said, “as a league, we are not looking to expand beyond our (current membership).”

With UR, W&M double-scoop, Patriot League on pace for elevated FCS space

The Patriot League elevates in the FCS space with Spiders, Tribe aboard.

richmond.com

 

[whampas]

Regarding positioning of PL football:


Regarding potential for additional expansion (*cough* Villanova *cough*):

Maybe a call from the Pope will get her out of that meeting. Come on over Villanova.

 

[spiderstudent17]

The article is saying all the right things. 1) the PL commissioner emphasizing desire to become premier east coast conference in FCS. Hopefully the “in discussion” for allowing grad transfer is code that it will inevitably happen like I believe will happen. 2) JOC sources saying Villanova is seriously considering a move to PL. 3) I can’t help but chuckle with D’antonio’s comments to try and maintain CAA as a top conference by saying how the CAA is responsible for 3 teams in playoffs 17 out of 19 years and 10 of 12 years at least one advancing to semi finals. JOC correctly points out that practically all those teams have left or will likely leave (JMU, Delaware, UR, W&M, Villanova).

 

[spiderstudent17]

Long article but interesting read. Dives into history of Richmond and W&M with conferences and the PL. Also some present day quotes from PL commissioner.

William and Mary Joins The Patriot League In Football, A Journey More Than Forty Years In The Making - The College Sports Journal

For the second year in a row, an announcement was made that the Patriot League football would be adding a new member.

www.college-sports-journal.com