FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's volleyball program will hold a special ceremony during Saturday's Uvaldo Acosta Memorial Match against Ball State to honor the 25th anniversary of the 1984 team's third-place finish at the NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball Championships.

The ceremony will be held between the second and third sets of Saturday's match and will feature many of the stars, as well as the entire coaching staff, of that year's team. During the 1984 season, Mason defeated perennial powerhouse Penn State three times, including the championship match of the East Coast Volleyball League Tournament, to advance to the NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball Championships for the first time in school history. Despite losing to Pepperdine in the national semifinals at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, the Patriots rebounded with a straight-set victory over Ball State in the consolation match to take third place at the national tournament.

In addition to the ceremony for the 1984 team, Saturday's match will also honor the memory of Patriot men's volleyball legend Uvaldo Acosta, who made his mark on George Mason University as both a collegiate athlete and a coach. Acosta passed away at the age of 32 in a tragic swimming accident on a team trip to Hawaii during the 1998 season while serving as the head coach of the George Mason men's volleyball team.

In addition to Saturday's contest against Ball State (11-7), the Patriots (8-8) will also take on No. 14 Ohio State (8-8) on Friday. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets to individual matches can be purchased at the Field House on the day of the match and cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students at George Mason University get in free with a valid Mason student ID. In honor of George Mason men's volleyball alumni weekend, Mason alumni and family members will receive discounted tickets at a rate of $2 per ticket.

Friday's match features a package deal for families. The Mason Volleyball Family Four Pack features four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $24. Orders can be faxed in or called in at 703-993-3270. All orders must be received by March 19.