Fairfax, Va. – George Mason Athletics Adopt-A-School program received the John C. "Jack" Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations in the partnership category awarded by George Mason University. The George Mason Community Relations department has five athletic programs and more than 100 student-athletes participating in the Adopt-A-School program.
 
The award recognizes both Mason and community individuals and groups, as well as government, businesses, and not-for-profits who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community during the past year.

 
"We are extremely proud of this award, but even prouder of our Mason athletic programs and our student-athletes for their admirable work in putting others before themselves with their community efforts," Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Brad Edwards said. "The community outreach provides invaluable life opportunities and is a vital piece of our student-athlete development as future leaders. I am very appreciative of the outstanding leadership and collaboration Dawn Hicks and the Mason athletics community relations department has established on our campus community and throughout Northern Virginia."
 

The Adopt-A-School Program is a collaborative mentor/volunteer community service program between several of the Patriots' teams and Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, and Alexandria City Public Schools. 
 
Launched in the fall of 2017 by the women's basketball team, student-athletes' mentor, coach, tutor, encourage, and engage with students in grades K-6 academically, athletically, and socially. The schools work with the teams to determine how Mason student-athletes can best support their priorities and objectives through school visits during class instruction, lunch or recess time, and special events. The program provides Mason student-athletes with active leadership roles in the community.

 
  To broaden the experience, students from the school visit Mason's campus—many for the first time -- to watch their team compete and participate in a special game experience. The game is promoted during a school pep rally hosted by student-athletes. 
 
"Community service is a core value within our athletic department," Director of Community Relations Dawn Hicks said. "The teams and student-athletes who participate in the Adopt-A-School program believe in serving others, particularly young students. They were not asked to participate; they requested to volunteer. Likewise, each school partner and school system deeply values Mason, athletics, and service. They embraced the program, welcomed our teams and student-athletes into their schools and classrooms, and are committed supporters who have become part of the Mason Nation family. They all are very deserving of this award."

 

Mason women's basketball adopted Matthew Maury ES in Alexandria, women's soccer adopted Braddock ES in Fairfax County, baseball adopted Providence ES in the City of Fairfax, wrestling adopted Lanier MS in the City of Fairfax, and track and field adopted Daniels Run ES in the City of Fairfax, which was the first student-led, adoption.
 
The Award is named for John C. "Jack" Wood, Mayor of the Town of Fairfax from 1953-1964. Mayor Wood was the driving force for arranging a campus to be located on land adjacent to the town and deeding it to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the university, thus beginning a Town-Gown relationship. 
 
Follow Mason community relations on Twitter @MasonAthleticCR.