Fairfax, Va. -- George Mason University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis announced today that Katie Pate has been named the department's Senior Associate AD, Director of Development.
 
Throughout her more than 23-year career within intercollegiate athletics, Pate has excelled in many leadership positions as a head coach, a broadcaster, an external relations leader, and a fundraiser.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Katie to the George Mason Athletics Family," said Lewis. "We are adding a dynamic leader with a diverse and extensive background within intercollegiate athletics and a proven track record in fundraising and relationship building. Her energy, innovation, passion for intercollegiate athletics, and competitive spirit make her the perfect fit as we elevate our engagement with alumni, supporters of Mason Athletics, and the local community.
 
"I want to thank Renaissance Search & Consulting and the search committee, Jenny Everett (chair), Folarin Campbell, Eileen Kennedy, Kara Mupo, and Sumeet Shrivastava, for their dedication, commitment, and care throughout the process, which made for a very efficient and successful search."
 
"I am truly excited to add Katie to our strategic leadership team as we shape the future of Mason Athletics through the Mason Now: Power the Possible fundraising campaign," added Lewis."  
 
Most recently, Pate served as the Associate Athletics Director for Development/Major Gifts at Appalachian State University. In two years, Pate played a significant role on the major gift development team to realize $15M in fiscal support. In 2022-23, nearly 61% of all major gifts were from new prospects. Her major gift portfolio eclipsed $4.85M in Pate's two years with the Mountaineers. Spearheading a capital project for renovating the men's and women's basketball office suites, Pate brought in $650K in a short three-month span.
 
"It didn't take long for me to realize that Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis is crafting a vision for the Patriots that I wanted to be a part of," said Pate. "With an athletics tradition already rich with history, helping create a strategy for new growth that celebrates the student-athletes, Mason's championship legacy, and most importantly, the position of George Mason University in the current collegiate sports landscape - is simply an opportunity I couldn't miss."
 
"I look forward to connecting with the Patriot community to develop and execute a plan that serves as a benchmark for Atlantic 10, MAC, and EIVA institutions," added Pate. "The next generation of Mason success is around the corner! Thank you to Marvin Lewis, Trishana Bowden, Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Relations and President of the George Mason University Foundation and the various committee members for the opportunity to be a part of something very special."
 
A former basketball standout at Coker College, Pate was the architect of App State's Women In Motion initiative, which promotes awareness and financial support for women's sports. Women In Motion was launched in 2022, establishing the Women In Motion Scholarship Fund while celebrating the incredible women who paved the way for current and future student-athletes. 

Pate laid out a strategic vision and communications plan to enhance stakeholder participation, promotion, and celebration. She developed and launched a major gift event series, "App on Tap," a multi-city program designed to educate and cultivate new major gift donors. She Created "The Training Table Experience" program, an annual support drive to augment team meals for football with an experiential dividend for donors. 
 
Before App State, Pate oversaw the coordination and strategic planning of Longwood University Athletics' most public-facing units, including alumni relations, communications, game operations, marketing and promotions, name, image and likeness programming, and ticketing. In addition to her duties on the external relations team, Pate also served as Senior Woman Administrator. She oversaw five varsity teams while promoting meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports.

In addition to her administrative success, Pate had several coaching stops, including head coaching positions with Belmont Abbey, Lenoir-Rhyne, and her alma mater, Coker College, and DI stints at Marshall and Georgia State. She was instrumental in fundraising efforts as a member of the coaching staff.

Pate coached women's basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne for seven seasons, including three as the program's head coach.
 
During her tenure as the head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne, Pate spearheaded the program's fundraising for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, raising nearly $10,000 for research, more money than any other NCAA Division II institution on the national level (300 programs). She also oversaw lucrative fundraising campaigns and the budget, which led to a team trip to Alaska.

Pate helped lead the Bears to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and top 25 national rankings in 2012-13 and 2013-14, a season in which they also won the conference's regular-season crown and the number one seed in the Southeast regional. During her time in Hickory, N.C., the Bears captured numerous All-American, all-region, and all-conference honors.
 
Pate has been an educator and researcher during her career, teaming with national basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli on the pair's "Sweet 16 to Vegas" feasibility study. The project is designed to explore new and groundbreaking ways to re-brand the sport of college women's basketball while creating a distinct and unique vision for the sport.
 
Deeply involved with professional development organizations, Pate frequently speaks with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, NIKE Assistant Coaches Roundtables, NACDA, and USA Basketball. She has guest lectured on several topics ranging from player and program development to entrepreneurship.
 
Pate graduated from Coker and the Universidad de Complutense de Madrid in 1997 with bachelor's degrees in Spanish and Exercise Science (Coker). In 2004, she received a master's degree in business administration from Webster University. She has professional memberships with the Women's Basketball Coaching Association, National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators, National Association of Athletic Development Directors, and Women Leaders in College Sports.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
"Katie Pate is a rockstar. Katie's attention to detail and her ability to connect and build lasting relationships with constituents is unbelievable. She brings a tremendous blend of thoughtful strategy and high energy. George Mason is getting a good one, and I can't wait to see the success that follows." -- Patrick Ransdell, Appalachian State University, Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations 

"Katie Pate is an absolute star in the athletics industry! Her passion and energy for creating championship experiences for student-athletes, coaches, and communities is unmatched. She is a consummate leader and professional with vision, thoughtfulness, integrity, and an extraordinary relationship-building ability. Congratulations to Marvin Lewis and the entire George Mason community on a slam dunk addition to their department!" -- Michelle Meadows, NJCAA, VP/COO 

"I'm so excited for Katie to bring her enthusiasm and vast insight of college athletics to George Mason. With a fresh perspective, while honoring institutional traditions, Katie has a unique way of applying her thought process to projects and initiatives. She especially excels at developing sensible strategies that deliver strong results. The future is bright for the Patriots with the addition of Katie Pate." -- Kirsten Krug, Kansas City Chiefs, Executive Vice President of Administration 

"A win and a great hire for George Mason! Katie Pate has the energy, passion, and vision to do what's best for student-athletes. She leads with vision, she follows with a great ear as a listener, and adds value as a teammate who makes the team better. Katie has done a little of everything in college athletics. She is a former athlete, coach, administrator, and teacher and brings with her the skill set to recruit, cultivate, and close the deal." -- Debbie Antonelli, ESPN College Basketball Analyst