Athletics

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr.

sbrown79 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:05:19 +0000

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr. sbrown79 Fri, 08/28/2026 - 17:05

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr.

Year: Junior

Major: Computer science

Hometown Indian Trial, North Carolina

Growing up, Michael Marcus Jr.’s family had an important rule: All the children would take part in both a sport and some form of art. For Marcus, that meant basketball and music. A starting forward on 91��’s men’s basketball team, Marcus has spent years refining his game on the court while also teaching himself to play the piano in his free time.

Becoming a Patriot: This summer, Marcus transferred to George Mason from Appalachian State ahead of his junior year. While entering the transfer portal can be overwhelming, he says the right people helped guide him through the process. The decision came down to finding the right fit both athletically and academically. “Fortunately, I had a formative team around me that brought me to Coach Tony Skinn and George Mason,” he said.

Playing It Forward: Although Marcus has always been a forward, he understands that basketball demands flexibility. “Versatility is the third most important ability behind availability and coachability,” he said. “Your size, who you can guard, and [the] skillset you have dictates the positions that you will play on the floor.”

Student-athlete and self-taught pianist, Michael Marcus, Jr. plays the piano in George Mason's Center for the Arts. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

Being a Team Player: Marcus’s basketball mindset is shaped by years of competitive experience. As a high school student, he helped lead his team to a runner-up finish at the North Carolina 4A state championship. He also won an Elite Youth Basketball League 15 and Under Championship during his Amateur Athletic Union career on the Nike Circuit. “That experience emphasized to me how important each team member’s role is, operating as one in order to win the game,” he said.

Finding His Sound: While basketball may take center stage, music has remained a meaningful outlet in Marcus’s life. “Since the fifth grade, I tried multiple instruments that just didn’t work for me before my father encouraged me to try piano.” Marcus taught himself piano by matching the notes he saw on screen with those on the keyboard. He also began studying basic music theory. “I figured out my own way of breaking the piano down and then building it back up into music,” he said.

Tuning Out and Tuning In: Whether on the court or at the piano, Marcus relies on a similar approach when the pressure builds. Every athlete feels overwhelmed at times, he said. The difference is how quickly they can reset. “I remind myself of the player that I am because of how I work, and my confidence is rooted in that.” He uses a similar approach when performing his music. “I learned to tune out the crowd playing in a game by being present and focusing on what I am doing, and now I do the same with music,” he said.

Creating a Musical Dialogue: While Marcus’s musical interests and influences are diverse, all lean toward a rich piano style. “[Jazz pianist] Art Tatum is someone whose left hand I’ve tried to mimic, as well as the walking bassline.” Marcus is also a fan of George Winston, especially his version of “Carol of the Bells,” and self-taught Japanese musician Daigo Hanada, who is also a former basketball player. As a self-taught musician, he’s had to find ways to measure his progress without formal instruction. For him, playing the piano feels less like a performance and more like an exchange. “I picture me and the piano having a conversation and as I’m playing the chord patterns, melodies, and rhythms—that’s my way of speaking to the piano. The sounds that come back as a result is the piano responding to me, and we just go back and forth.”

More than One Dimension: For Marcus, basketball and music aren’t competing passions—they sharpen one another. One teaches discipline, awareness, and adaptability. The other offers creativity and expression. Together, they reflect the balance he’s been building since childhood—and the kind of student-athlete he hopes to be at George Mason.

Connect with George Mason Basketball

Topics

Patriot Profile

Student Athlete

Athletics

College of Engineering and Computing

student artists

Students

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt

Katarina Benson — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt Katarina Benson Tue, 08/11/2026 - 11:22

Rebekah Schmidt

Job: Head Athletic Trainer, Intercollegiate Athletics

There’s a hush that often falls over a sports crowd when gameplay stops and a lone figure runs out to tend to a fallen player. No matter the injury, 91��’s student-athletes are in good hands with Rebekah Schmidt. She leads a team of 10 athletic trainers for George Mason’s 22 total Intercollegiate Athletics sports teams and is the trainer for the men’s basketball team. The position entails much more than ensuring players can play a good game. “We are their primary contact for all of their health needs while they’re here at George Mason.”

Bad Encounter Gone Good: When most people talk about an experience that influenced their professional path, it’s usually a positive one—but Schmidt’s story is different. After sustaining an injury as a high school soccer player, she went to her school’s athletic trainer for help. “He told me that I was just being a weak girl, that I was fine, and to ‘suck it up.’” Five hip surgeries later, she realized how wrong that trainer was. “I’ve since had many great athletic trainers in my life, but that one really made me want to be a better professional.”

Behind the Scenes: Schmidt works closely with George Mason's strength and conditioning and sports performance staff to develop intensive and customized treatments for each individual men’s basketball player, including adjusting their weights during workouts, prescribing extra stretching, taping joints, and so much more. During practices, Schmidt said, “I’m monitoring, looking at their mechanics—is someone limping when they weren’t yesterday? Is someone holding a knee who wasn’t before?” The work continues with post-treatments after practice and extensive documentation. “We want to make sure that we're showing progression, which is critical in any medical profession.”

Rebekah Schmidt is in her 13th year at 91�� Athletics. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Changing Times: While the game has very much stayed the same, treatment technologies have advanced in ways that allow Schmidt to do even more. She mentions wearable devices that measure “the physical load of a practice, how long they’re running, how much intensity…all of that cumulative stress on the body is the load.” George Mason is also one of the few universities to have Catapult ClearSky, an athlete tracking system that captures multiple data points. Schmidt and the strength and conditioning team then use that information to collaboratively create personalized treatment and workout plans for each player. “Having them overcoming injury and seeing them on the court for the first time…shooting the shot that they weren't able to do a couple months ago—that's just so rewarding because it's seeing all that hard work that we did together come to a great resolution.”

A Different Kind of Club: Collegiate athletics can be a male-dominated career field, but Schmidt saw that George Mason was different. "You don't always see females in leadership roles--but George Mason had that." She cites former Deputy Athletic Director Debi Corbatto, BS Marketing '86, MS Exercise Science, Fitness, and Health Promotion '03, PhD Education '18, a George Mason alumna who served as an athletic trainer during the Patriots’ legendary Final Four run, as a pioneer and mentor, as well as Linda Pullen, George Mason’s director of sports medicine. “The best thing about working here at George Mason is the community, the relationships, being able to see and help develop student-athletes.” Now in her 13th year at George Mason, Schmidt serves as a mentor herself, specifically for students in the College of Education and Human Development’s athletic training master’s program.

Advice for the Rest of Us: Not everyone can play at an elite level, but Schmidt has some universal advice: “Number one thing is making sure that you’re doing some kind of weight training…kind of loading the muscles at some point to make sure you’re preventing injuries.” And for younger athletes, she encourages a bit of diversification. “The best athletes that really develop are ones that do a multitude of sports [and] learn different ways to move their body.”

Learn more about Mason Athletics

Topics

Meet the Mason Nation

Athletics

basketball

Faculty and Staff News

Patriot Profile: Mia Arevalo-Delcid

Katarina Benson — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:06:50 +0000

Patriot Profile: Mia Arevalo-Delcid Katarina Benson Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:06

When the call-up to El Salvador's Senior National Team finally came through, Mia Arevalo-Delcid didn't need a moment to let it sink in. She already knew exactly what it meant. "That's the big leagues right there," said the George Mason women's soccer standout. "It's all eyes in the country on you. It's going to be amazing.”

Mia Arevalo-Delcid. Photo by Rafael Suanes/George Mason Athletics.

Home and Away: Arevalo-Delcid, a Manassas, Virginia, native and dual citizen of the United States and El Salvador, has been representing El Salvador on the pitch since earning her first call-up to the Salvadorian U20 National Team in 2022. That experience gave her a taste of something she hadn’t expected: the electricity of playing in front of family. "Family means everything to me," she said. "Everyone was so excited for me. We were in the newspaper, and my family bought like 50 papers. Representing my country was one of the best moments of my life."

Ready for the Big League: This summer, she did it again—only on a much bigger stage. She traveled south in early June to train with El Salvador’s top players for several weeks before a series of friendly competitions against neighboring countries. "I love playing for my family's home country," she said. "It's a way to honor my heritage."

“It's really pretty amazing,” said Aaron Brunner, George Mason women’s soccer head coach. "It's such a tremendous honor to represent your country. But I'm not surprised because Mia is so amazing."

Homegrown: The road to San Salvador ran through some familiar Northern Virginia zip codes first. Arevalo-Delcid was a four-year letterwinner and team captain at Colgan Senior High School in Manassas, earning All-District First Team, All-Region, and Honorable Mention for the Washington Post’s All-Met honors. She also starred in club soccer with the Virginia Development Academy (VDA), one of the top programs in the region, earning ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team honors in her junior year and a ranking of No. 16 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region by Top Drawer Soccer. She went on to James Madison University before transferring to George Mason in spring 2025. The decision was personal. "I wanted to be closer to home," Arevalo Delcid said, "and I believed in what Coach Brunner was building here."

A Team Player: Arevalo-Delcid quickly established herself as not only one of the team’s best players, but as one of its leaders. A natural attacking midfielder, she willingly shifted to a more defensive role to fill a need for the Patriots—and still managed to contribute a goal and two assists in her first season. “She had a great year for us and was always willing to do whatever the team needed of her,” said Brunner. “She’s grown a lot, she's learned a lot, and her confidence is high.”

This spring, Arevalo-Delcid signed with Loudoun United's semi-pro league. Photo by George Mason Athletics.

Turning Pro: The national team call-up is just one line on a resume that's been filling up fast. This spring, Arevalo-Delcid signed with Loudoun United in the USL W semi-pro league and landed an NIL deal with Tinycup Coffee, a George Mason alumni-owned company.

"A dynamic and tireless presence in the midfield," Loudoun United Head Coach Christian Cziommer said at signing. "Known for her relentless work rate and creative flair, she brings significant high-level experience to our roster."

Beyond the Pitch: When she's not training or playing, Arevalo-Delcid—a civil engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computing—works as a substitute teacher at Woodbridge High School, tutoring Latino students and helping them prepare for AP exams, and holds down a part-time job at a Starbucks near campus. "Yes, it's a lot," she said. "But you have to work for anything worth having."

Eyes on the Future: Arevalo-Delcid turned 21 in June, right around the time she boarded a plane for El Salvador. She's already thinking about what comes next and a professional soccer career is squarely in her sights. "I want to try," she said. "I want to see whatever opportunity I can get. Going to El Salvador has definitely been a game changer for me."

Brunner likes her chances. "She's going to be ready," he said, "and I think she's going to do awesome."

Northwest Federal Credit Union and George Mason Athletics expand partnership to advance student financial wellness on and off the court

Katarina Benson — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:07:58 +0000

Northwest Federal Credit Union and George Mason Athletics expand partnership to advance student financial wellness on and off the court Katarina Benson Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:07

91�� Athletics and Northwest Federal Credit Union announced an expanded partnership that connects student-athletes with financial education, simple banking tools, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities designed to support their success on campus, in the community, and after they graduate.

This collaboration was formally introduced at George Mason's inaugural Basketball Signing Day event. More than 200 fans, supporters, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the introduction of the 2026-27 men's and women's basketball teams.

Student-athletes at Basketball Signing Day. Photo by George Mason Athletics

As the Official Credit Union and Financial Wellness Partner for George Mason Athletics, Northwest is expanding its support beyond traditional sponsorship by helping student-athletes build financial confidence at a time when NIL earnings, personal branding, and early career decisions are becoming a big part of the college athletics experience. Participating student-athletes will open Northwest accounts, receive financial education and training, and serve as ambassadors promoting financial literacy across campus and throughout the Northern Virginia community.

"This expanded partnership marks an exciting step forward in how we support student-athletes during a pivotal moment in their journey," said Jeff Bentley, president and CEO at Northwest Federal Credit Union. "By combining these new NIL opportunities with financial education, we are helping equip them with the tools to make informed decisions today and build lasting success beyond the game. These student-athletes are inspiring the next generation, and Northwest is grateful to be part of making an impact in the community."

"Opportunities like this give our players experience in pursuing their sports career while also learning the practical skills to balance life," said Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, men's basketball head coach at George Mason. "Having access to financial education, professional development, and community connections helps maximize their time here at George Mason and set them up for the next chapter. Northwest has been an excellent partner to make that a reality for our teams."

Women's basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis added, "This is about developing the whole person. Even the term “student-athlete” represents our hope for each of these young people. We want their time with us to have been a season of life where they were fully supported to learn the most they can and be the best they can be. Financial education and life management resources are a critical part of that vision of helping our student-athletes build strong futures."

Basketball Signing Day is expected to become an annual tradition and serves as the first of several collaborative initiatives planned between George Mason Athletics and Northwest throughout the upcoming year.

Through this partnership, the credit union also became the first member of the "Starting 5" sponsors of George Mason Athletics' broader corporate partnership initiative, NOVA's Team. The platform connects organizations committed to building a stronger connection between student-athletes, businesses, and communities across Northern Virginia.

Topics

Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32

ckearney — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:27:23 +0000

Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32 ckearney Mon, 06/15/2026 - 12:27

91�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, securing her leadership of the Patriots through the 2031-32 season.

Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Photo by George Mason Athletics

Blair-Lewis has elevated the George Mason women’s basketball program into one of the premier programs in the Atlantic 10 during her five-year tenure, highlighted by the program’s first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship, NCAA Tournament appearance, and regular-season conference title.

“Vanessa Blair-Lewis has delivered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, while building a culture rooted in purpose, passion, and the development of young women on and off the court,” said Lewis. “Her impact goes far beyond wins and championships—she has united our community and redefined what’s possible at George Mason, and we’re proud to extend her leadership into the future.”

In 2025-26, Blair-Lewis guided the Patriots to another historic campaign, leading George Mason to its first regular-season championship in program history and a program-record 16 conference victories. The Patriots also hosted a postseason game for just the third time ever, while Blair-Lewis also earned the 400th victory of her head coaching career. George Mason women’s basketball also saw its highest attended home game ever, packing EagleBank Arena with 4,123 fans vs. Dayton on December 31, 2025.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Gregory Washington and Athletic Director Marvin Lewis for their trust and belief in our vision,” said Blair-Lewis. “This extension is not just about me—it reflects the hard work, dedication, and culture we have built together. We have achieved historic milestones, but I truly believe our best days are still ahead. We are redefining what's possible at the mid-major level, here at George Mason.”

The 2024-25 season marked a breakthrough year for the Patriots under Blair-Lewis, as George Mason captured its first Atlantic 10 Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The team finished with a school-record 27 victories, including the program’s first-ever 11-1 start and back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time. George Mason also achieved its highest-ever NET ranking at No. 40.

Blair-Lewis has engineered one of the nation’s most impressive program turnarounds since arriving in Fairfax in 2021. After inheriting a team that won just three games in 2020-21, she tripled the Patriots’ win total in her first season and snapped a 24-game conference losing streak. In 2022-23, George Mason recorded its first winning season since 2017-18 and advanced to the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. The following season, the Patriots posted 23 wins and earned a postseason berth to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament before breaking through with a championship campaign in 2024-25.

During her tenure at George Mason, Blair-Lewis has coached numerous Atlantic 10 award winners and all-conference selections, including back-to-back Most Improved Players, the league’s Rookie of the Year, multiple All-Conference performers, and All-Defensive Team honorees.

She has also earned national recognition, including consecutive selections as a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year award by Her Hoop Stats and recognition as the 2024-25 VaSID Coach of the Year.

Prior to George Mason, Blair-Lewis spent 13 seasons at Bethune-Cookman, where she led the Wildcats to four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles, a MEAC Tournament championship, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. She is a four-time MEAC Coach of the Year and has more than 400 career victories across 27 seasons as a head coach.

“I am excited to continue leading this program, developing exceptional young women and making the George Mason community proud,” said Blair-Lewis. “The future is bright, and we're just getting started.”

With this extension, George Mason reaffirms its commitment to the continued growth and national prominence of the women’s basketball program under Blair-Lewis’ leadership.

Jump into George Mason Athletics

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season

ckearney — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:06:20 +0000

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season ckearney Thu, 06/11/2026 - 13:06

91�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a two-year contract extension for men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, through the 2031-32 season.

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. Photo by George Mason Athletics

The 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and architect of George Mason's first A-10 championship team, Skinn has put together the best start to a coaching career in school history and cemented himself as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

He's set new program bests for overall wins (70), league wins (35), overall winning percentage (.693) and league winning percentage (.648) for a Patriot coach over his first three campaigns. What's more, Skinn's 69.3 overall winning percentage ranks 17th nationally among current Division I head coaches with at least 3 seasons at the helm.

"Tony represents everything we value in George Mason men's basketball and in our broader athletics program," said Lewis. "In just three seasons, he has elevated our competitive standard, delivered sustained success on the court, and built a culture rooted in accountability, player development, and integrity. This extension reflects our confidence in Tony's vision, his leadership, and his commitment to continuing to position George Mason as a nationally respected program. We're excited about what lies ahead for Patriot basketball under his direction."

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. The fastest bench boss to 50 wins in program annals, Skinn has guided the Patriots to two consecutive NIT appearances, marking the first time since 2007-09 the program has reached back-to-back postseasons (NCAA or NIT). George Mason is one of just three A-10 programs during Skinn's tenure to finish in the NET top-100 all three seasons.

"This extension is a testament to what our staff and players have built together while bringing the vision of Patriot Pressure to life," Skinn said. "We've set a strong foundation over these past three years and will continue to elevate our collective standard. I'm grateful to our fans and administration who have invested in this program and understand what it takes to compete at the national level. The best is yet to come."

Tony Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Photo by George Mason Athletics

As head coach, Skinn has mentored five All-A-10 selections, four NABC All-District picks and the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Skinn is a two-time finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, given annually to the nation's top minority head coach.

In 2025-26, he guided the Patriots to the program's best-ever overall (18-1) and A-10 (6-0) starts. Team 60 became the fastest in school history to reach 20 victories (22), shattering the previous mark of 25. Despite returning just 3% of the previous season's scoring output and losing Preseason All-A-10 First Team selection Brayden O'Connor to a season-ending injury in the first game of the campaign, the men’s team reached 23 overall victories and received a berth in the NIT. George Mason earned home wins over three NCAA Tournament Teams (#25/24 Saint Louis, VCU, Penn) and the Patriots were the only school in the A-10 to defeat the top-3 programs in the league standings. The 29-point win over the Billikens marked the 14th-largest margin of victory by an unranked team over a ranked program since the AP poll began in 1949.

After the 2024-25 season, Skinn was named a national finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the Division I head coach who wins with integrity both on and off the court. He also garnered VaSID Virginia Coach of the Year accolades at the conclusion of the Patriots' historic season.

George Mason's elite Patriot Pressure defense ranked in the top-25 nationally in 2024-25 and the Patriots ranked third in the country in field goal defense. The team's cumulative field goal defense marked a George Mason school record while its 3-point defense was second best all time.

Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Senior Jared Billups became George Mason's first conference Defensive Player of the Year since 2001 and was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award in 2025, given to the nation's top defensive player. Jalen Haynes earned NABC All-District First Team honors in 2024-25 and was just the second All-A-10 First Team pick in school history. Both Kory Mincy and Riley Allenspach garnered All-A-10 Second Team honors in 2025-26. With Haynes and Darius Maddox also being named All-A-10 in 2024-25, it marked the first time since 2008-09 the Patriots had multiple non-conference selections in back-to-back seasons.

George Mason Athletics

Secure Your Seats for 2026-27

Soccer alumna plays a role in FIFA World Cup

ckearney — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:38:06 +0000

Soccer alumna plays a role in FIFA World Cup ckearney Wed, 06/10/2026 - 11:38

Hollis Kosco, BA Speech Communication '94, has built a career that spans continents and stadiums, but her journey began on the soccer fields at 91��. A former member of George Mason's 1993 NCAA national runner-up women's soccer team, Kosco has turned her athletic experience into a global profession in sports management and operations.

Hollis Kosco (center) with the Alumna of the Year Award. Photo by Risdon Photography

Kosco is part of the team supporting FIFA World Cup 2026, adding another remarkable chapter to a journey that includes roles with the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, seven Olympic Games, two Asian Games, and the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games.

Kosco serves as a senior transportation manager for FIFA World Cup 2026, which is based in the Miami area. Her work requires complex operational planning across three countries, 16 stadiums, and 48 participating national teams.

Her journey began when she arrived at George Mason as a student-athlete. After watching the Patriots win the 1985 NCAA Women's Soccer National Championship, a landmark achievement that helped put the university on the national map, Kosco's interest in George Mason grew. She ultimately chose George Mason not only for its growing soccer program, but also for the opportunity to live on campus, compete at the Division I level, and be part of a diverse university community.

"Mason felt like home," Kosco said. "The soccer program, the people, and the opportunities all stood out to me."

A 2024 Alumna of the Year award-winner, Kosco has watched the university’s rapid evolution. When she enrolled, the university was a smaller regional institution, a world of difference compared to the George Mason of today—a leading public university and the largest public research university in Virginia.

"I've loved watching Mason grow," Kosco said. "The university has become nationally respected while still maintaining the sense of community that made it special."

Kosco credits her time at Mason with shaping both her professional career and her personal outlook. As a communication major, she developed skills that continue to guide her today as she works on the international stage with FIFA.

"Mason taught me how to communicate, connect with others, and understand different perspectives," Kosco said. "Those experiences prepared me for opportunities I never imagined."

Now preparing for a summer surrounded by the world's top soccer nations, Kosco still carries lessons learned as a Patriot. She points to the culture of hard work and perseverance instilled during her time at Mason as a driving force behind her success.

"You don't strive to be the smartest or the best," Kosco said. "You just keep working hard and don't give up."

Fun Fact: During Kosco’s time with the Patriots, she was a teammate of Kelley (Harlow) Pulisic, a standout defender in George Mason’s women's soccer program and the mother of current USMNT star Christian Pulisic. Christian's father, Mark, played forward at George Mason from 1986 to 1989 and is in the university’s Men's Soccer Hall of Fame.

George Mason Alumni Association

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Student Athlete

Athletics

McMeans named Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Year

Katarina Benson — Tue, 19 May 2026 20:34:56 +0000

McMeans named Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Year Katarina Benson Tue, 05/19/2026 - 16:34

91�� golfer Vaughn McMeans has been named the 2026 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Player of the Year, becoming the first Patriot in the program’s history to earn the conference's top individual honor.

McMeans holds several George Mason records. Photo by Rafael Suanes/George Mason Athletics

A native of Leesburg, Virginia, McMeans anchored the Patriots throughout the 2025-26 campaign with a program-record 70.8 stroke average and a scoring average versus par of -1.04, beating the prior best of 0.31. Both are the best marks in George Mason annuls.

The sophomore sport management major led the Patriots to a historic runner-up finish at the Atlantic 10 Championship and helped position the program among the conference's elite.

Individually, McMeans delivered a strong showing with a 3-under-par score on the par-72, 7,085-yard Evermore Resort's Cypress Course, while finishing seventh overall. His finish improved on last season's 15th-place showing at the 2025 A-10 Championship.

McMeans recorded eight top-25 finishes and five top-10 outings during the season. He also earned medalist honors twice, tying the school record for most tournament victories in a single season. Among his standout performances, McMeans captured co-medalist honors at the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational after finishing 11-under-par. He followed with another co-medalist finish at The Island at West Bay Collegiate Invitational with a 15-under-par performance.

The sophomore finished 7th at the 2025 A-10 men's golf championship. Photo provided

His fall season included back-to-back Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week honors and multiple entries into the George Mason record book. Last season, McMeans earned Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors as a freshman after posting seven top-25 finishes and three Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week awards.

"Vaughn's season has been nothing short of remarkable," said George Mason head golf coach Greg Pieczynski. "He has elevated our entire program with his leadership. To become the first conference Golfer of the Year in school history is an incredible accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work he puts in every day."

Topics

Students

Athletics

Student Athlete

College of Education and Human Development

Jay and Carolyn Marsh honored with George Mason Medals

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:17:00 +0000

Jay and Carolyn Marsh honored with George Mason Medals ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 12:17

The George Mason Medal, the highest honorary award bestowed by the 91�� Board of Visitors, recognizes individuals whose service reflects the character and commitment of George Mason himself. A Northern Virginia native and influential voice for liberty during the Revolutionary War, Mason never held elected office, yet his leadership and dedication to the public good left a lasting mark on the nation. The medal, presented at Commencement with special distinction, honors those whose lives embody that same spirit of service.

Few exemplify that legacy more fully than Jay and Carolyn Marsh.

Jay and Carolyn Marsh in 2021 the men’s basketball film room named for her. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Office of University Branding

Together, the Marshes devoted a combined 90 years to George Mason Athletics before retiring in 2021. Their careers shaped generations of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, leaving an enduring imprint on the university community. Carolyn passed away in 2025, but her warmth and influence remain woven into the fabric of the program she helped nurture for nearly half a century.

Carolyn Marsh began her career at George Mason in December 1975 as a sports information assistant. She soon became executive assistant to the men’s basketball program, serving eight head coaches over the decades. From John Linn to Dave Paulsen, she was a steady and trusted presence. Known for her compassion and personal touch, Carolyn built lifelong relationships with student-athletes, many of whom stayed in contact long after graduation. She often described her role simply: caring for the players like a mother.

Jay Marsh’s journey began as a student-athlete. After serving in the U.S. Army, he enrolled at George Mason, earning a degree in business administration in 1973 while playing two seasons of men’s basketball. After graduation, he briefly worked in construction and coached part-time before returning full-time in 1976. Over nearly five decades, he became synonymous with athletics operations, overseeing facilities, events, and fundraising while ensuring a first-class experience for athletes and fans alike.

Mason Medal awardee Jay Marsh (right) with the student speaker Saniya Darediya before the ceremony. Photo by John Boal Photography

From leading the Patriot Club to serving as senior associate athletic director for events and facilities, Jay earned a reputation for steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge. His expertise extended beyond campus, particularly in managing the Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament for many years. He also played pivotal roles in historic moments, including the 1985 women’s soccer national championship and the Patriots’ 2006 Final Four run.

The Marshes’ generosity includes an endowed scholarship for basketball student-athletes and support for locker room renovations. The men’s basketball film room now bears Carolyn’s name, honoring her quiet but profound impact. Married since 1967, they built a life intertwined with George Mason. Their legacy—rooted in loyalty, service, and love for the university—continues to inspire the Mason community today.

George Mason Athletics

Topics

Wrap up for April 30 BOV meeting

Katarina Benson — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:52:50 +0000

Wrap up for April 30 BOV meeting Katarina Benson Mon, 05/11/2026 - 14:52

At its final meeting of the academic year, the 91�� Board of Visitors saluted graduates from the Early Identification Program, received an update on the men’s basketball program from Coach Tony Skinn, and passed a six-year capital plan, among other actions, including approval of a tuition and fees increase for 2026-27.

Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, reported that 41 proposals (16 large, 25 small) had been submitted for the Grand Challenge Initiative. The initial funding recipients were announced in The George on May 6.

Faculty from all colleges and schools, including Mason Korea, submitted applications. Marshall noted that 38 of the proposals included more than one George Mason college or school and six proposals involved five or more colleges and schools.

“This initiative strengthens George Mason's competitiveness for large interdisciplinary awards,” Marshall said. “It also reshapes how we organize our institutional research. Finally, most importantly, it positions us to lead solutions to some of our most urgent societal needs, living up to our responsibility as a top-tier research university.”

Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, shared successes from his department and brought along a special guest—men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn. Women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis will be a guest at a future Athletic Committee meeting.

Lewis reported significant increases in corporate sponsorships, fundraising (including $2 million on Giving Day, doubling last year’s total), ticket sales, and men’s basketball attendance.

To improve student turnout at athletic events, the university is creating the position of assistant director of student involvement for student fan engagement. According to the job posting, the role “focuses on fostering connections between students, student organizations, and athletic programs to build a vibrant, spirited campus culture.”

“Most schools don't have that,” Lewis said. “But it shows the shared commitment in engaging our students, creating a community for our students, and our investment at the university level to make that happen.”

Under Skinn, the Patriots have posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history and amid a challenging recruiting environment. The team was co-regular season champion of the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2024-25 and has reached the NIT the past two postseasons. George Mason will enter the 2026-27 season seeking its first NCAA men’s basketball berth since 2011.

Skinn said the Basketball and Academic Performance Center for the men’s and women’s teams set to open in 2027 will be “transformational” for the program because it combines the team’s athletic and academic resources. The BAPC is a 27,870 square-foot addition and 14,341 square-foot renovation to the existing Recreation and Athletic Complex and will include a modern academic advising center for all George Mason student-athletes.

“Through men's basketball, I believe a return on investment reaches far beyond the game itself, driving enrollment, strengthening alumni engagement, fueling fundraising, elevating national relevance and deepening George Mason pride,” Skinn told the board. “That is what a successful basketball program can do for this university.”

Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the 91�� Foundation, reported that the university has raised more than $639 million toward its $1 billion Mason Now: Power the Possible goal. That includes $2.95 million raised from Giving Day on April 2, topping the $1.5 million collected last year for Giving Day.

Athletics, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Costello College of Business each had a record number of donors this year.

Bowden said that 237 faculty and staff made donations on Giving Day, and the day included 500 first-time donors.

The board congratulated 19 members of the Early Identification Program (EIP) who are graduating this month. Among them was Monica Amaya, an Honors College student and University Scholar who is earning a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in management information systems.

EIP provides academic preparation, leadership training, and college process guidance for first-generation students starting in the eighth grade. EIP is marking its 40th anniversary this year. More than 200 EIP alumni are currently enrolled at the university.

“When I arrived here at George Mason, I didn't feel like I was starting from scratch,” said Amaya, who is from Manassas Park, Virginia. “It felt like I was continuing a journey. One I had already been prepared for. I felt supported, and most importantly, I felt like I belonged.

“I carry with me everything that EIP and George Mason have given me: Resilience, a drive to learn, and a strong sense of community. My success didn't happen by chance. It started with access, it started with support. It started with EIP.”

Amaya, an EIP peer mentor, has a job lined up at CACI as a software developer.

Leaders from three of the university’s schools and colleges made pitches to the board for new or upgraded facilities.

Alpaslan Özerdem, dean of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, presented a plan to turn Point of View into a retreat and conflict center that could accommodate overnight visitors. Özerdem envisions a “civilian Camp David.”

Point of View, located in Lorton, Virginia, about 18 miles from the Fairfax Campus, is a retreat and research center guided by Carter School faculty. The facility, on 120 wooded acres on Belmont Bay, provides space and support for groups to resolve conflict, heal, and reconcile, and is also a community event space.

Özerdem said that the most effective conflict resolution programs enable participants to spend extended time together in common living and gathering spaces.

“When people share the dinner table, if they sleep under the same roof, they start to think about peace in a different way,” Özerdem said. “Live, think, negotiate together is what we want to achieve.”

Ozerdem said the university has secured $4 million from the state and needs another $10 million to upgrade the facility. He said a public–private partnership is one option.

Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, made a presentation to the board about CVPA fundraising activities and a proposed $104 million project for a new Center for the Arts. The current center opened in 1990.

“When the arts programs of 1990 are all counted up, we had 250 students and we now have 1,800 students majoring in all of our arts disciplines,” Davis said. "The building that we designed in the 1980s was designed for a whole different universe.”

Davis mentioned other potential projects, including a planning study for a new facility for the film and video studies program and game design program to share. Those programs currently are based in the Art and Design Building. Davis also discussed an “arts district vision” that would include a sculpture garden and campus museum.

Patrick Soleymani, associate dean of the Costello College of Business, presented a plan for a new business school building, an initiative that began in 2018. The proposed $165 million project is part of the university’s six-year capital plan (see below).

Soleymani said that Northern Virginia has more than 130,000 open jobs, including 80% in tech-related field, many of which are affiliated with business school graduates.

“Our reputation has outgrown our infrastructure,” Soleymani said. “A new home for Costello directly enhances student success and strengthens the university's position as being in charge of the economic engine of this community and region.”

The six-year capital plan includes several proposed projects. It establishes the university’s capital requests to be submitted to the commonwealth for consideration. The plan is updated on an annual basis and approved by the Board of Visitors.

Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB): Proposed as 150,000-square-foot building that will modernize and replicate the spaces within David King Hall and Planetary Hall to allow George Mason to repurpose or demolish the two antiquated facilities in accordance with the Master Plan.
Costello College of Business Building: The approximately 150,000-square-foot building is anticipated to collocate the Costello College of Business operations. A new building would allow for technology-rich, experiential business education while significantly improving visibility and competitiveness.
Baseball Stadium: Would address long-standing facility shortcomings and support the student-athlete experience and recruitment. The current facility has metal bleachers and no restrooms, lights, or concessions.
High-Performance Training Center: Envisioned in partnership with a potential private partner to leverage shared investment and expertise.
Field House: The current facility has exceeded its useful life and no longer meets current programmatic or building system standards.

The April 30 meeting documents can be accessed here. A video recording and transcript of the meeting is here.

More about the Board of Visitors

Topics

Campus News

Board of Visitors

Athletics

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Costello College of Business

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Athletics

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr.

Related News

Topics

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt

Rebekah Schmidt

Job: Head Athletic Trainer, Intercollegiate Athletics

Related Stories

Topics

Patriot Profile: Mia Arevalo-Delcid

Related News

Northwest Federal Credit Union and George Mason Athletics expand partnership to advance student financial wellness on and off the court

Related Stories

Topics

Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32

Related Stories

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season

Related Stories

Soccer alumna plays a role in FIFA World Cup

Related Stories

Topics

McMeans named Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Year

Related News

Topics

Jay and Carolyn Marsh honored with George Mason Medals

Related Stories

Topics

Wrap up for April 30 BOV meeting

Related News

Topics