In the second off-season under head coach Nyla Milleson the Patriots are looking to set a new standard for Mason women's basketball both on the court and in the community. After working on the former in an early morning team practice Friday, the team started a new off the court tradition with the first of many trips to read to the students at Fairfax Village Elementary School.

“Having our team give back and hopefully become role models in the community is very important,” Milleson said. “The kids get to see how hard work and dedication pays off, but our student-athletes get so much out of it as well when they see the impact they can make in someone's life.”

 “It's important to give back to the community,” starting point guard Taylor Brown said. “Kids are very smart and they pick up things easily. Every time you give back you are setting a positive example.”

Between reading classic children's book such as “Clifford” and “Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs” the classes had the opportunity to ask the student-athletes questions on topics ranging from collegiate goals to their favorite foods.

For more information on Mason's student-athletes involvement in the community, please visit our student-athlete affairs website.