JMU names Dom Palumbo as new faculty athletic representative
News
SUMMARY: Dom Palumbo ('19) will serve as a key liaison between the university’s academic mission and its intercollegiate athletics program.
James Madison University has named Dom Palumbo ('19) as its faculty athletic representative for the 2026-27 academic year. His term runs from Aug. 10, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
A university faculty athletic representative is a member of a university's faculty appointed by the president to serve as a bridge between the academic mission and the intercollegiate athletics program.
Palumbo is currently a Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management lecturer in JMU’s College of Business.
His duties will include attending Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meetings, student-athlete welcome-back events, and eligibility meetings with head coaches. Palumbo also will attend Sun Belt Conference meetings in person during the fall and spring, chair JMU’s Faculty Athletic Advisory Committee, and sign waivers as part of his responsibilities.
“Dom brings a valuable combination of academic experience and knowledge of intercollegiate athletics to this role,” said JMU Director of Athletics Matt Roan. “Our student-athletes benefit the most when faculty and athletics work together to support their academic, personal and competitive development, and Dom will play an important role in strengthening that connection.”
The role also includes serving on search committees, including those involved in head coach searches, and meeting with prospective student-athletes at the request of individual sport programs.
“This role provides an important opportunity to strengthen the connection between JMU’s academic mission and its commitment to its student-athletes and their experience while representing their university, community and student body,” Palumbo said.
Before joining JMU’s faculty, Palumbo worked in athletics media relations at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and as a media relations graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee.
Palumbo earned a master’s degree in recreation and sport management from the University of Tennessee in 2021 and a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management from JMU in 2019.
