Dr. Ronald Carrier was JMU's president from 1971-98, a period of tremendous growth at JMU overall and for the athletics program. JMU's intercollegiate sports offerings grew under the leadership of Dr. Carrier and athletics director Dean Ehlers, including the addition of football in 1972. JMU's move to the NCAA's Division I level of competition took place while Dr. Carrier was president, and many of the university's current athletics facilities were established during his tenure.