Mason Nation,
As we close out 2025 and turn the calendar to 2026, the momentum across George Mason Athletics is unmistakable. Our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters continue to demonstrate what it means to compete with purpose, pride, and unity—on and off the field of play.
Academic Excellence Continues
In the classroom, our student-athletes continue to raise the bar for academic success. Following the fall semester, George Mason Athletics achieved an impressive department-wide cumulative GPA of 3.40 across all 22 sports and nearly 500 student-athletes—a true testament to their dedication and commitment to balancing academics and athletics.
Winter Sports Spotlight
Our winter sports are in full swing, with Men's Basketball leading the charge. The Patriots have opened the season with a historic 14–1 overall record and a 2–0 start in Atlantic 10 play, continuing to build momentum as conference competition intensifies.
Women's Basketball has also started strong, opening A-10 play at 3–0 following a challenging non-conference slate, while head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis recently earned her 400th career victory—a remarkable milestone and testament to her leadership and impact on the game.
Swimming & Diving is preparing for the Atlantic 10 Championships in February, while Wrestling continues to post strong early-season results at 4-2 overall and demonstrate sustained growth across the program. For the second year, the Patriots will uniquely bring Wrestling to the heart of campus, competing at the Johnson Center on Friday, January 30—and we encourage all of Mason Nation to come out and support the team.
A Historic Night at EagleBank Arena
One of the most memorable moments of the season came as we proudly honored the 2006 Final Four team and legendary head coach Jim Larrañaga, with a commemorative banner unveiled and raised to the rafters at EagleBank Arena. It was truly special to welcome Jim and Liz back to campus and celebrate a team that forever changed the trajectory of George Mason Athletics—and the entire university.
The evening was made even more meaningful as our current Men's Basketball team rose to the moment, securing a hard-fought victory over ODU in front of a passionate Patriot crowd—connecting George Mason's historic past with the momentum of today.
Moments like these remind us of who we are, where we've been, and what's possible when Mason Nation comes together.
New Initiatives & Fan Experience
We are continually exploring innovative ways to elevate the game-day experience while generating critical resources to support nearly 500 Mason student-athletes. In early December, we distributed a fan survey to better understand your perspectives. Thanks to the nearly 400 fans who responded—your feedback is invaluable! Initial insights highlighted opportunities for improvement, particularly within our concessions program, and this input will guide future enhancements. Together, we're shaping an even better experience for Mason Nation! Survey Results
During the Men's Basketball game vs. Penn, we piloted a baseline hospitality experience for our corporate partners. With many students away for winter break, we temporarily relocated student seating closer to the Green Machine and repurposed the baseline space to host nearly 60 corporate partners- to providing an opportunity to thank them for their support while testing an enhanced premium offering. Early feedback was extremely positive, and a second baseline hospitality pilot is planned for tonight's Women's Basketball vs. La Salle.
Fans may also have noticed our new retail trailer, launched in partnership with Barnes & Noble and located at the South Entrance for each game. This addition is already increasing convenience, energy, and access to George Mason gear on game nights.
New Teammate
We are excited to welcome Joe Rafanelli as our new Deputy Athletics Director for Revenue Generation and Brand Strategy. His leadership and experience will be instrumental as we grow our external resources, enhance our storytelling, and broaden George Mason Athletics' impact throughout the region.
Looking Ahead
Excitement continues to build as Men's Basketball prepares for a marquee Atlantic 10 home matchup vs. VCU on Saturday, January 10—one of the most anticipated games of the season and a key opportunity to protect our position as Northern Virginia's Team. Be sure to wear your GREEN and bring the #PatriotPressure!
We're also excited to kick off the baseball season with the First Pitch Dinner on Friday, January 30, in support of the George Mason Baseball program. The evening will feature special guest José Bautista, legendary former slugger of the Toronto Blue Jays, and promises to be a great night of storytelling, connection, and momentum as we officially launch the season. We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Mason Baseball and the future of the program. Click HERE for more information.
Homecoming planning is also underway, beginning January 31 with Women's Basketball and culminating with Men's Basketball hosting Saint Joseph's on February 7. We look forward to welcoming alumni, families, students, and fans back to campus to celebrate Mason pride and community—together.
As you plan ahead, don't forget about the upcoming Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament in Pittsburgh, PA (March 11-15), and the Women's Tournament in Henrico County, VA (March 4-8). We need Mason Nation to show up and show out as we look to propel our programs toward NCAA Tournament opportunities. Click HERE for more information and to secure your tickets today.
Moving Forward—Together
The landscape of college athletics continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This past year marked a transformational shift with the launch of the revenue-sharing and NIL era, and our department has been working intentionally to build the structures, systems, and strategies required for sustained success in this new environment.
In response, we introduced the Basketball Greatness Campaign, a focused effort to strengthen the foundation of our men's and women's basketball programs. This initiative supports the infrastructure necessary to compete at the highest levels, including revenue sharing, facilities such as the Basketball & Academic Performance Center, and critical operational investments. Together, these priorities position George Mason Basketball to compete for Atlantic 10 championships and earn consistent NCAA Tournament opportunities.
Even as the model changes, our purpose remains constant. Like the best athletics programs in the country, we are committed to investing in our student-athletes, competing with integrity, and creating an environment where they can thrive academically, athletically, and personally. The progress we continue to make—from competitive success to fan experience, partnerships, and community engagement—reflects a shared belief in what George Mason Athletics can be and our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sport.
Thank you for your continued support, energy, and belief in our student-athletes and programs. We look forward to seeing you at EagleBank Arena and across our venues as we continue building momentum together—as Northern Virginia's Team.
Go Patriots!
