Fairfax, Va. - George Mason University Track & Field head coach Andrew Gerard announced RJ Lightbourne and Matthew Svoboda as the program's newest assistant coaches.
"RJ was a tremendously impactful student-athlete for us, excelling on the runway as a jumper and, even more importantly, through the relationships he built and his understanding of the events," said head coach Gerard. "He is a perfect model of an athlete stepping into a coaching role. RJ is a true student of the sport and, as a young coach, has a strong ability to communicate with student-athletes because he understands where they are coming from. We are excited to welcome him into the fold as he crosses over from being an impactful student-athlete to an aspiring coach with a bright future."
RJ Lightbourne is transitioning into an assistant coach role for track and field after spending the previous four years competing as a triple jumper for the Patriots. As a coach, he will work primarily with the sprints, hurdles, and jumps athletes, supporting their development, training, and performance.
"George Mason has played a major role in my growth as both an athlete and a person, so the opportunity to return as a coach is incredibly meaningful," said Lightbourne. "What drew me back was the culture - one that values development, resilience, and doing things the right way. I'm excited to give back to this program and help our athletes continue to grow and compete at a high level."
Lightbourne graduated from George Mason University in 2025, earning a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
Matthew Svoboda joins George Mason as an assistant coach for track and field, working primarily with the pole vault, high jump, and multi-events athletes, after spending the previous six years at Western Colorado University.
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our staff," said head coach Gerard. "Our multi-events athletes and pole vaulters have been a major part of our success at George Mason, and Matt's enthusiasm, experience, and proven track record at the collegiate level will only strengthen those areas. He understands the recruiting landscape, is highly ambitious, and is excited to fully dive in here. Our student-athletes will greatly benefit from his ability to develop talent, something he has consistently demonstrated throughout his previous coaching stops."
Svoboda began his collegiate coaching career at Western Colorado University in 2020, where he served as the jumps and multi-events coach for the Mountaineers. During his tenure, Svoboda played a key role in elevating the program's competitive profile at the conference and national levels. His athletes collectively broke five school records, earned three All-American honors, and qualified for the NCAA National Championships on nine occasions. Additionally, more than 30 performances under his guidance now rank among the top ten marks in Western Colorado University history.
"I am incredibly excited to join Coach Gerard and his staff to coach these great athletes and to continue the excellence of George Mason Track and Field!" said Svoboda.
Svoboda graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Ambrose University in 2018, earning a bachelor's degree in history. He competed in track and field all four years at St. Ambrose and was a two-time all-conference athlete in the Heptathlon for the CCAC.
