John Hollis

The run that changed a program: George Mason marks the 20th anniversary of its 2006 Final Four appearance

Katarina Benson — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:47:55 +0000

The run that changed a program: George Mason marks the 20th anniversary of its 2006 Final Four appearance Katarina Benson Wed, 12/10/2025 - 15:47

The 2006 Final Four run by the �� men’s basketball team was an achievement so improbable, so unprecedented, that it transformed how the college basketball world viewed possibility itself.

Photo by George Mason Athletics

Now, 20 years later, the Patriots will honor that magical postseason journey on Saturday, December 13, when they host Old Dominion University at EagleBank Arena. That run endures as one of the most defining moments in the university’s history and one of the NCAA Tournament’s most memorable Cinderella stories. What began as a hopeful March ended with a mid-major program standing on college basketball’s biggest stage.

They captured the hearts of the nation along the way.

“That definitely opened the door for mid-majors,” said George Mason men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn, who was the starting point guard on that Final Four team. “It showed that if you have belief, the right players, and the right coaches, anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.”

That belief was tested again and again throughout that 2006 run.

Competing out of the relatively unknown Colonial Athletic Association, the Patriots became the league’s first Final Four representative, toppling one powerhouse after another.

They opened tournament play with a 75-65 win over a Michigan State, a team that had returned four starters from the previous season’s Final Four squad. The sixth-seeded Spartans had outlasted George Mason by six points in an early regular-season meeting a year earlier.

Lamar Butler signing copies of Sports Illustrated at the Bookstore. Photo by Office of University Branding

Next came the North Carolina Tar Heels, the No. 3 seed and the reigning NCAA champions, who fell 65-60 in the Patriots’ second and final game in Dayton, Ohio. From there, George Mason returned to the nearby Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., where a heavily partisan crowd watched four Patriots score in double figures in a 63-55 Sweet 16 win over fellow mid-major and No. 7 overall seed Wichita State University. That victory advanced the Patriots to the Elite Eight against overall No. 1 seed University of Connecticut.

Loaded with talent, the Huskies featured four players who would soon be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and five who would be among the league’s top 40 picks. They were also led by Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun.

Fueled by a massive and vocal Mason Nation presence, the Patriots embraced the underdog role against UConn. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half and nine in the second, George Mason rallied to shock the sports world with an 86-84 overtime win—one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history —punctuating the victory with a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

“It was great for college basketball,” said Lamar Butler, a former standout senior guard on that Final Four team who now serves as George Mason’s director of player development. “That’s what people watch the tournament for.”

Final Four watch party in the Johnson Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In the years since, Virginia Commonwealth University (2011), Loyola Chicago (2018), UCLA (2021), and North Carolina State (2024) have also reached the Final Four as 11th seeds. LSU was the first to accomplish the feat in 1986.

“We believed in ourselves,” said Jim Larrañaga who serves as head coach at George Mason from 1997 to 2011. “We weren’t hoping to win. We believed we would win.”

More than 10,000 fans packed what was then the Patriot Center when the team returned home following its dramatic win over UConn.

Before the tournament, George Mason was largely unknown beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. That changed almost overnight. The team’s improbable run generated an estimated $677.5 million in free publicity from print and broadcast exposure, according to a study conducted by Robert Baker, former interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development and Professor Emeritus of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

The university also reported an 800% increase in traffic to its official website, while the university bookstore in the Johnson Center—typically averaging $11,000 in weekly sales—made shy of $1 million in the 10 days leading up to the Final Four. University admission inquiries increased by 350%, with out-of-state applications rising by 40%.

Butler still recalls when he playing overseas several months later, walking through a town in Croatia wearing a George Mason shirt, and a local boy approached him.

“George Mason–Final Four!” the boy exclaimed, much to Butler’s astonishment.

This weekend’s remembrance festivities will include the return of most members of the 2006 team, and the raising of a banner in EagleBank Arena in honor of the now-retired Larrañaga.

“It was one of those moments that, when you experience it, it never really leaves your mindset,” Skinn said. “To think that it was 20 years ago is unbelievable, but having a day to celebrate it is definitely exciting.”

This weekend, that memory returns to life as a new generation of Patriots gathers to celebrate the run that changed everything.

Learn about the Anniversary Event

Topics

Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:31:43 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott Colleen Rich Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:31

Jaylin Lott

Year: Sophomore

Major: Business with a minor in sport management

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

The athlete and competitor in her fuel George Mason’s Jaylin Lott’s love for volleyball, but it’s the inner serenity that singing brings her that she treasures away from the court.

Photo by George Mason Athletics

An Almost Idol: Lott experiences the best of both worlds as a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist for the Patriots women’s volleyball team who also moonlights as a singer—one talented enough to have performed the national anthem at numerous NBA games and in George Mason’s EagleBank Arena. Her powerful voice even carried her to the third round of last year’s American Idol tryouts, where she was one of just 15 singers selected from a pool of roughly 300 during an in-person audition in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It’s a Family Affair: Strong vocals run in the family. Lott’s grandmother, Ava, who passed away in 2020, sang in the church choir and remains her inspiration. Lott began singing around age 13 while competing and lettering in both volleyball and track at Clark High School in Texas. Her father, Jason, a former Division I track and field athlete at Texas State University, noticed early on that his daughter was gifted in music as well. “[Sports and singing are] both ways to escape the stress that naturally comes with life,” Lott said. “They’ve each been therapeutic in different ways and at different times. I have a deep love for both.”

At the End of the Day: Lott says it's not uncommon to find her singing along to her karaoke machine to unwind after a long day of classes and practice. Her musical inspirations include Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and other old-school artists she credits for shaping her style and confidence. “As I’ve gotten older, I look forward to coming home and singing karaoke,” she said. “It’s kind of been my peace, especially after moving so far away from home.”

Taking the Stage: She was just a sophomore in high school when she first sang the national anthem before a San Antonio Spurs game, a moment that felt larger than life. “It was pretty big,” Lott recalled, “I was nervous at first, but it was pretty cool.” She returned to perform at Spurs games many times since, and has even sung for a larger crowd before a Dallas Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center.

Photo provided

Passion on the Court: Lott continues to make an impact on the Patriots team that enjoyed its most successful non-conference season since 2009, surpassing last year’s 11-win total and earning a spot in the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament that was held in Richmond, Virginia, in November.

“She has such a gift for passing and defense in middle-back,” said George Mason women’s volleyball Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann, “and she’s one of the most naturally talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure to coach in that position.”

Bachmann first learned of Lott’s musical talent during recruiting and was immediately impressed. “We’re always hoping to hear even more from her, without putting too much pressure around it,” Shifflett Bachmann said, “It’s a joy every time I overhear her singing to herself in the hallway or along with the music at practice.”

Singing Her Own Song: Singing is more than a hobby for Lott, it’s a passion she hopes to turn into a career. Lott continues to reach out to NBA teams in the region and in her hometown about national anthem gigs while also eyeing possible future auditions on The Voice. Lott also wrote songs for fun throughout middle and high school, and she has long imagined taking the next step—writing music professionally and eventually recording her own music in a studio. Finding time between school and volleyball has been tough, but she’s determined. “I want to put in the work it takes to have people one day hear my music,” she said. “It’s a peaceful thing for me to do, and it carries my grandmother’s legacy, too.”

Learn more about Costello College of Business

Topics

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business

Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design

Colleen Rich — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:53:52 +0000

Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design Colleen Rich Wed, 11/05/2025 - 14:53

��’s Fuse at Mason Square was among the projects cited when Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate received national recognition for industry leadership and sustainable development.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The 345,000-square-foot digital innovation hub, where a celebration was held in late September to introduce the community to the building, earned the Environmental Impact Award at the Annual P3 (Public Private Partnership) Awards in New York City.

“We are proud and deeply honored that Fuse at Mason Square has been recognized with this award,” said Liza Wilson Durant, the associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement at George Mason and director of the Northern Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI). “This prestigious recognition reaffirms our bold commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible stewardship in campus development. In partnership with Edgemoor and other collaborators, we have reinforced George Mason’s vision of our campuses as living laboratories where infrastructure itself can teach, inspire, and scale sustainable practices.”

According to the competition judges, Fuse is “a highly commendable higher-education project that delivers exemplary environmental performance.” It was specifically praised for its cutting-edge approach to sustainability in design, construction, and operations. The building is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification and is net-zero ready, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious campus facilities.

“Receiving this high-level recognition is a tremendous source of pride and a clear testament to the groundbreaking work of the Fuse team and all of our partners,” said Edgemoor Managing Director Brian Naumick. “While the quality of the project is its own reward, formal acknowledgment from our industry peers and partners proves Fuse is truly leading the market for sustainability and resiliency.”

Adding to its sustainability achievements, Fuse earned a Fitwel 2 Star Rating, marking a first for George Mason. Fitwel recognizes facilities that enhance quality of life through design and operational strategies that promote physical, mental, and social health.

Conveniently located at the center of the Rosslyn–Ballston corridor, Fuse serves as a state-of-the-art tech hub digital innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The building, which welcomed students this semester, features specialized labs for robotics and virtual reality and data visualization, as well as office spaces, retail, and co-working areas to foster collaboration and innovation across sectors.

The $254 million project was funded through a collaboration that included $90 million each from George Mason and the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, along with $78 million from Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate.

Fuse was among several Edgemoor projects and personnel recognized across multiple categories.

Topics

Mason Enterprise at �� propels entrepreneurship across the region

Colleen Rich — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:18:05 +0000

Mason Enterprise at �� propels entrepreneurship across the region Colleen Rich Tue, 09/23/2025 - 16:18

Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington Region is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial destinations for investors and inventors, with ��’s investments and partnerships as a key driver.

From Accelerate investor Conference 2024. Photo provided

The state’s largest university-based business incubator, Mason Enterprise partners with the university’s schools and institutes, big business, start-ups, and venture capital investors to advance a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship and economic growth. This contributed to making Virginia a top state for business, according to CNBC.

“George Mason is powering Virginia’s future,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “The university is preparing students for high-demand careers, supporting entrepreneurs at every stage, and driving the growth of small businesses across the state. We’re not just in the degree business, we’re in the success business.”

Mason Enterprise played a key role in Virginia’s new Lab-to-Launch initiative, the first of its kind in the nation. Developed through a statewide collaboration led by George Mason and University of Virginia, with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) and the state’s four other R1 research universities—Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary—the initiative is designed to double the number of start-ups that originate from Virginia’s research universities and accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies.

Mason Enterprise leadership and impact highlights include:

$2.8 billion in bank loans, lines of credit, venture capital, angel investment, new revenues, and government contracts secured in 2024
65 invention disclosures by faculty last year—a 150% increase over five years
Growth from 300 to 2,000 supported tech start-ups in five years
One in six of the businesses served by Mason Enterprise are veteran-owned
58,000 entrepreneurs, small business owners, students and faculty participated in 2,600 workshops in 2024 (up from 19,000 attendees in 2020)
Helped in the formation of 409 new companies in 2024
Helped in the creation and retention of 6,351 jobs in 2024

“We’re proud to be building a culture of innovation that is reaping benefits for the region and beyond,” said Paula Sorrell, George Mason’s associate vice president of innovation and economic development. “The blend of education, research, and public–private partnerships has created a steady pipeline of new ideas and investments that ensure our regional and national competitiveness.”

The Mason Enterprise team, led by Sorrell, was recently recognized by the Virginia Association of Counties for its Accelerate Breakfast Series, which connects entrepreneurs and investors through curated pitch opportunities that strengthen the local start-up ecosystem and attract regional investment. In addition, the International Economic Development Council recognized Mason Enterprise for its multiyear efforts advancing the region’s tech innovation economy with its Innovation Ecosystem Building award, the result of creating several high-impact, tech start-up focused programs to help diversify the regional economy.

Mason Enterprise provides small business and start-ups with affordable office space, legal and accounting assistance, free mentoring, access to investor networks, makers’ spaces, and tailored programs designed to help get ideas get off the ground or take the next step to get to market. Working closely with VIPC and nearby local officials in Prince William, Arlington, and Fairfax counties, the team also manages the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network, called the Virginia Small Business Development Center and the Department of War’s (DOW) Virginia APEX Accelerator.

Mason Enterprise will host its fifth annual Accelerate Investor Conference 2025 on November 5-6 at the new Fuse at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s venture capital event will feature keynote speaker Sid Banerjee, chief strategy officer for Medallia, as well as a fireside chat co-hosted by Virginia BIO CEO John Newby and Jeff Conroy, managing director of Bayeux Ventures and former CEO of Embody, a successful Virginia start-up.

In This Story

Paula Sorrell

Learn more about Mason Enterprise

Topics

Small Business Development Center

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:17:12 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert Katarina Benson Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:17

Spending another summer in Southern California playing beach volleyball isn’t just fun in the sun for �� student athlete Jackson Herbert. The nuances and physical demands of the faster-paced beach game are considerably different from indoor volleyball, but he said playing has significantly elevated his indoor game. Now Herbert, a junior and men’s volleyball opposite from Ashburn, Virginia, feels he may be primed for a breakout season with the Patriots this year.

George Mason men's volleyball player Jackson Herbert. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“When I’m playing indoors, I feel like I’m flying because there’s nothing holding me down,” he said.

Herbert playing beach volleyball in California. Photo provided

Training Is a Beach: This summer, Herbert trained in the Los Angeles area, where his daily regime involved two to three hours of practice in the sand, followed by a dip in the ocean before grabbing a bite to eat, weightlifting, and recuperative time in the hot tub. Before finishing the day, he might have another dip in the ocean. Rinse and repeat.

Doing It All: Opposites, also known as the right-side hitter, are versatile players who rotate through both the front and back row, with key responsibilities that include hitting, blocking, and occasionally setting. The two-person beach game requires all that, and then some. “You have to be able to pass, set, and serve well,” said Herbert. “You have to be able to do it all.”

All in the Family: As a kid, Herbert would tag along with his parents who played in a co-ed league for Dulles Beach Volleyball. His mother soon enrolled him in volleyball clinics, and by age 10, he was competing in indoor volleyball. “My love for the sport grew from there,” he said.

Home Away from Home: When it came time to choose a college, Herbert considered two things: location and brotherhood. As the oldest of three, he wanted to stay close to home so he could be involved in his siblings’ lives, supporting them at their tournaments and games whenever possible. He also values the tight-knit, open-door culture of George Mason’s men’s volleyball team. “I knew some of the guys before committing, and every interaction pulled me closer to George Mason,” he said. “It made the decision really easy.”

Balancing Passions: A member of the Honors College, Herbert’s interest in technology comes naturally—his dad is a software developer, which inspired him to take cybersecurity and software development classes in high school. Enjoying what he learned, he decided to pursue computer science as a major.

Jackson Herbert (right) with Team USA teammate Kai Rodriguez. Photo provided

All the Way with Team USA: In October, Herbert, who previously played for the U.S. Beach Volleyball U19 and U21 teams, will join the U21 squad to compete in the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach World Championships in Puebla, Mexico. “It was an amazing experience,” he said of his previous opportunity with the national teams. “I’m excited to do this again.”

Setting His Sights: Herbert hopes to earn spots with the U.S. Collegiate and U23 Beach Volleyball National teams next summer. Beyond college, he would like to play professionally on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour—the premier professional beach volleyball league in the United States. “I’d like to continue doing this at the highest level.”

Volleyball at George Mason

George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

Katarina Benson — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:02:44 +0000

George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders Katarina Benson Wed, 08/06/2025 - 17:02

They’re proud �� graduates doing impactful work for the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Commanders and helping to change the face of professional football.

The irony? Neither Gayatri Nambiar nor Bridget O’Donnell had ever watched a football game before stepping into their current respective roles with the team—Nambiar as football solutions developer and O’Donnell as senior manager for premium client services.

The journey has been both challenging and empowering.

Gayatri Nambiar: From Mumbai to the gridiron

Gayatri Nambiar. Photo provided

A native of Mumbai, India, Nambiar earned her MS in applied information technology from the College of Engineering and Computing in 2018. With no sports background, she was surprised when the Commanders reached out to her in 2021 about joining their football technology team, but she was immediately curious.

“The sport wasn’t part of the culture I grew up in,” she said. “Everything—from the rules to the strategy—was completely new. Once I started working in football, I immersed myself in learning the game. The strategic side has been fascinating, and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for how much data, planning, and detail go into every decision.”

Based at the team’s training facility in Ashburn, Virginia, Nambiar works at the intersection of technology and football operations. Her team partners with scouts, coaches, analysts, and front-office staff to build tools that support player evaluation, draft strategy, contract planning, and performance analysis.

“No two days are ever the same,” she said. “And that’s what makes it so engaging.”

Nambiar credits her time at George Mason as foundational to her career. She worked as a research assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience, and learned from professors who were deeply supportive. Working at Ike’s dining hall was key to developing time management and interpersonal skills, and she landed her first U.S. job through a university career fair.

Bridget O’Donnell: From the court to the front office

Bridget O’Donnell. Photo provided

O’Donnell, who graduated in 2016 with a BA in communication with a concentration in journalism from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was a Patriots women’s basketball player before playing professionally in the Czech Republic with SBS Ostrava. She grew up in a basketball-focused family in New Jersey—her aunt was the late Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist women’s basketball legend Anne Donovan—so football wasn’t in the forefront.

“Luckily, I’m not out there coaching the team,” she joked. “But we’ve certainly learned a ton about the sport over the last three years.”

Now based at the Commanders’ corporate office, just 20 minutes away from Northwest Stadium in College Park, Maryland, O’Donnell oversees premium client services. She’s responsible for delivering top-tier service to annual suite clients, generating additional revenue with new business targets, renewing and negotiating multi-year suite lease agreements, and strategizing and executing year-round client engagements through partner events, away-game travel, and more.

“Being in sales is incredibly empowering,” she said. “Navigating tough conversations with influential business leaders, negotiating high-value deals, commanding rooms, and earning your own success. It’s not always easy, but I’m lucky to have many extraordinary, trailblazing women to look up to at the Commanders and across the industry.”

O’Donnell said her experience as a George Mason—as a student-athlete and Athletics communications intern—deepened her connection her to the university and continues to shape her approach to leadership and teamwork.

Advice for the next generation

Both women take their roles as trailblazers in a traditionally male-dominated industry seriously. They hope to inspire others who may not see themselves represented in such fields.

“What’s encouraging is how things are starting to shift,” Nambiar said. “More women are moving into roles across coaching, analytics, operations, and tech. Being part of that change—helping to redefine what the industry looks like—is both humbling and motivating.”

“When you find ways to connect your skills and passions to the business side, you open the door to making a real impact,” O’Donnell said, “and becoming an invaluable part of any team or organization.”

Explore your own career options

Join the Alumni Association

Topics

Alumni

Student Athlete

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Engineering and Computing

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:38:22 +0000

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:38

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former �� women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows.

Coach Tayler Cook with her Heritage team. Photo by Maya Lopez/LoCoSports

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship.

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.”

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George Mason alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.”

Coach Cook on the sidelines. Photo provided

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

It seems that winning is in her DNA.

Cook was a four-year player at George Mason, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons.

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development.

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.”

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects.

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.

George Mason Athletics

Topics

Alumni

Student Athlete

Mason Athletics

�� recognized as a top Military Friendly University

Katarina Benson — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:27:58 +0000

�� recognized as a top Military Friendly University Katarina Benson Mon, 06/30/2025 - 17:27

�� has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to military-connected students and their families, earning a Silver ranking in the Military Friendly® School designation for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.

The annual recognition honors colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. The full list of designees will be featured in the October issue of G.I. Jobs Magazine and can also be found at militaryfriendly.com.

“At George Mason, we are a mission-driven community,” said Jennifer Connors, director of the Office of Military Services. “I am proud of the work our team and our colleagues across campus do every day to ensure our military-affiliated students and families feel supported.”

More than 10% of George Mason’s more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past academic year, approximately 20% of incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students had military ties, reinforcing George Mason’s reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students.

Many of these students receive education benefits to support their academic goals. More than 2,000 use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, approximately 1,000 benefit from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, and more than 100 receive Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance.

George Mason’s commitment to military-connected students is also reflected in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report named George Mason one of Virginia’s best colleges for veterans. Its master of business administration (MBA) program for veterans ranked first among public universities both in Virginia and nationwide, and the master’s in nursing for veterans placed first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro region.

The university’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) focuses specifically on leveraging George Mason’s strengths as the commonwealth’s largest and most diverse research university by empowering servicemembers, veterans, and their families through connections to a wide range of campus and regional resources.

“It speaks to our ability to not only serve those who have served us, but to create an environment where our service members, our veterans, and their families can thrive,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and a professor of psychology.

Additional information on the ranking’s methodology can be found here.

In This Story

Keith Renshaw, PhD

George Mason Rankings

Topics

Military

Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)

�� News

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:31:48 +0000

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:31

It’s less about wins and losses for Marvin Lewis, and more about building enduring bridges for the long term.

The �� assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture.

The plan is designed to keep George Mason competitive in the fast-changing college sports landscape with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes.

“I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George Mason Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.”

Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated.

“If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member Jon M. Peterson said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.”

Key Highlights of the Plan

There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the Mason Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate George Mason Athletics, enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position.

Basketball Greatness:

The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George Mason as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia.
Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential.
A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes.

Sports Performance Ecosystem:

$8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources.

Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:

$3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:

Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.

Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George Mason. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million.

“Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.”

Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George Mason.

While most current George Mason students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter.

This season marked a historic year for George Mason Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95.

“Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.”

The magic starting to take hold at George Mason hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May.

But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community.

The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions.

Visit the Patriots United website

A historic year for George Mason Athletics

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:28:07 +0000

A historic year for George Mason Athletics Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:28

The 2024-25 school year was one for the record books for �� Athletics, delivering five Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) titles and the most successful run since joining the league 11 years ago.

The Patriots captured A-10 titles or championships in:

Men’s soccer—first regular season title in program history marking the team’s first title since winning the 2013 tournament championship
Men’s basketball—first regular season title in program history
Women’s basketball—first tournament championship in program history
Women’s indoor track and field—first championship since 2014
Men’s outdoor track and field—first championship since 2019

Women's basketball A-10 champions. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics

“This year’s success is a reflection of the passion, resilience, and drive our coaches and student-athletes bring every day,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “We’re proud to make history together and a strong sign of what’s possible for George Mason Athletics moving forward.”

This marked the highest single-school year total in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George Mason’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013–14. It also marked the first time since 1994–95, during the university’s tenure in the Colonial Athletic Association, that the Patriots won five combined regular season and conference championships in one academic year.

Men's outdoor track and field. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Athletics

Additional highlights from a banner year:

Men’s soccer Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to their first regular season title, finishing 13-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in A-10 play—their best conference finish—and earning them a top seed in the A-10 Championship.

Men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn was named A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the team to a share of its first-ever regular season A-10 conference title, a program-tying 27 wins, and its first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
The women’s basketball team recorded a program-best 27 victories, won its first A-10 Tournament title, and secured its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance.
Student-athletes earned a collective 3.32 grade point average (GPA), with a record 78 named Provost Scholars earning a 3.75 GPA or higher, and nearly half securing Dean's List honors. In total, 18 student-athletes earned all-conference honors or individual titles, and 75 earned weekly conference awards.

With historic wins, academic excellence, and rising national visibility, George Mason is building momentum, positioning the university as a competitive force in the A-10 and across the collegiate athletics landscape.

Topics

John Hollis

The run that changed a program: George Mason marks the 20th anniversary of its 2006 Final Four appearance

Related News

Topics

Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott

Jaylin Lott

Year: Sophomore

Major: Business with a minor in sport management

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Related Stories

Topics

Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Enterprise at �������� propels entrepreneurship across the region

In This Story

Related Stories

Topics

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert

Related News

George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

Gayatri Nambiar: From Mumbai to the gridiron

Bridget O’Donnell: From the court to the front office

Advice for the next generation

Related Stories

Topics

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Related Stories

Topics

�������� recognized as a top Military Friendly University

In This Story

Related Stories

Topics

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future

Key Highlights of the Plan

Basketball Greatness:

Sports Performance Ecosystem:

Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:

Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:

Related News

A historic year for George Mason Athletics

Topics

Mason Enterprise at �� propels entrepreneurship across the region

�� recognized as a top Military Friendly University