Mason Nation,
Basketball season is almost here, and the momentum across George Mason Athletics continues to grow.
We are building championship aspirations across our programs, investing in our student-athletes, and creating a game-day experience that brings the student body, alumni, families, and the Northern Virginia community together.
As we prepare to return to EagleBank Arena, here are five things I want Mason Nation to know about the season ahead and the larger opportunity in front of us.
Our Competitive Momentum Continues
Basketball season doesn't begin our momentum. It builds upon it.
Across George Mason Athletics, our student-athletes continue to raise expectations. Last year, that momentum included record academic achievement, significant fundraising growth, and celebrated competitive success across our programs.
This fall, we're seeing that culture continues to take shape across our teams. Our women's soccer and volleyball teams are near the top of their conferences and are positioning themselves for a run at the conference championships. Cross-country runner Alex DeRoussel has two individual wins this season and will lead our Patriots at the A10 Championships on October 31.
Our vision is bigger than success in one sport or one season. We are building a department that expects to compete for championships while developing outstanding student-athletes.
That's the standard established in Patriots United. Together We Thrive., and it's the standard we'll continue pursuing.
Basketball Is Ready for a Bigger Stage
Our inaugural Basketball Tip-Off Breakfast earlier this month brought our supporters, coaches and student-athletes together to celebrate what lies ahead.
Now, it's time to play.
What to watch:
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Our women will face a strong non-conference schedule highlighted by Maryland, Princeton, JMU, Florida Gulf Coast and the Puerto Rico Clásico.
Basketball is becoming a national platform for George Mason. Our opportunity is to capitalize on that exposure, compete at the highest level and make EagleBank Arena one of the best college basketball environments in the region.
We're Creating a Home Court for Northern Virginia
A great basketball program needs more than talented teams. It needs an environment that students and fans want to experience—and remember.
This season, we continue investing in making EagleBank Arena Northern Virginia's Home Court, with students at the center of the experience.
Our 2026-27 enhancements are designed to connect the energy of our student-athletes with the broader student body, alumni, families, supporters and partners. They build on three seasons in which our men's and women's programs have combined to win nearly 90 percent of their home games.
This season's new and expanded experiences and enhancements include:
The goal is larger than a single game. We are creating an atmosphere that celebrates our student-athletes, unites the student body and gives alumni, families and the Northern Virginia community another reason to connect with George Mason. That energy can give our home court a true competitive advantage.
That's where Mason Nation comes in.
Bring your family. Bring your friends and colleagues. Wear Green and Gold andelp us make Fairfax one of the toughest places to play in the Atlantic 10.
We're Breaking Ground on our Future
Our most significant investment isn't just about this season.
It's about the next decade.
The Basketball and Academic Performance Center (BAPC) represents a transformational investment in the future of George Mason Athletics.
The approximately 34,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide dedicated spaces for men's and women's basketball while creating an academic performance center supporting more than 500 Mason student-athletes.
The impact of the BAPC touches nearly every part of our mission:
Groundbreaking is an exciting milestone, but it is not the finish line.
Our next fundraising goal: $15 million.
We need Mason Nation to help us bring the full vision of the BAPC to life.
This is an opportunity for alumni, donors, corporate partners and members of our Northern Virginia community to make a lasting investment in student-athletes and in the future of George Mason University.
The Landscape is Changing. Our Ambition Isn't.
College athletics continues to transform.
Revenue sharing, NIL, student-athlete benefits, transfers and potential federal legislation are reshaping how universities recruit, retain and support student-athletes.
The institutions that thrive in this environment will be those with clear priorities, aligned resources and communities willing to invest in their vision.
George Mason Athletics has a clear mission: to inspire and transform lives through the power of sport. We also have a clear strategic direction outlined in our strategic plan, Patriots United. Together We Thrive.
We can't control every change occurring nationally.
We can control how prepared we are for it.
That's why our investments in people, partnerships, experiences, and facilities are so important.
The Opportunity Ahead
Basketball season gives us a tremendous opportunity to bring all of this together.
It is an opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes, create lasting memories for our students, showcase George Mason nationally, and bring our campus and Northern Virginia community together.
So here's my ask of Mason Nation:
Show up. Join us at EagleBank Arena.
Bring someone with you. Help us create an unforgettable experience for our students, grow the Mason community and strengthen our connection as NOVA's team.
Invest. Help us achieve our $15 million goal and bring the full vision for the Basketball and Academic Performance Center to life.
We have momentum.
Now is the time to turn that momentum into a lasting impact.
Go Patriots!
Marvin Lewis
Assistant Vice President & Director of Athletics
George Mason University
