A Legacy of Patriotism: Exploring the History of George Mason University Athletics

George Mason University's athletic program has a rich and evolving history, marked by significant milestones, dedicated individuals, and a commitment to growth. From its humble beginnings to its current standing in the NCAA Division I, the university's athletic journey reflects its broader transformation from a small college to a major public research university. This article delves into the key moments and figures that have shaped George Mason athletics, highlighting the achievements, challenges, and the enduring spirit of the Patriots.

Early Years and the Rise to Division I

George Mason's athletic journey began in the late 1960s with the establishment of men's soccer as one of its first varsity sports. The Patriots began to move from NAIA and NCAA Division II status into the NCAA Division I ranks with men's basketball in the 1978-1979 season. Within a few years, all other sports also were elevated to Division I status. George Mason reached its current level of 20 varsity sports with the addition of women's lacrosse (1993-1994), women's rowing (1997-1998) and men's and women's swimming & diving (1999-2000). In addition, George Mason has fielded a varsity club football team since 1993 that competes intercollegiately. Their opponents range from other club teams to NCAA Division I FCS programs.

Men's Basketball: A Flagship Program

While many of the schoolʼs athletic programs have had historical seasons, the men's basketball program remains the flagship sport at the university. The menʼs basketball team has played at the Patriot Center since 1985 after playing prior seasons in the PE Building on the west side of the Fairfax Campus. The menʼs basketball team has made the NCAA tournament six times (1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, and 2011) and the NIT tournament five times (1986, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2025). The Patriot basketball team is most famous for its 2006 NCAA run to the Final Four. The programʼs largest rivals include conference foes George Washington and Virginia Commonwealth. The best-known player in Patriots history is George Evans, a Gulf War veteran who played from 1997 to 2001 and was a CAA player of year three consecutive seasons. He shares the CAA record with NBA legend David Robinson for winning the award three straight times.

The Historic 2006 Final Four Run

Now, 20 years later, the Patriots will honor that magical postseason journey on Saturday, December 13, when they host Old Dominion University at EagleBank Arena. That run endures as one of the most defining moments in the university’s history and one of the NCAA Tournament’s most memorable Cinderella stories.

“That definitely opened the door for mid-majors,” said George Mason men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn, who was the starting point guard on that Final Four team. They opened tournament play with a 75-65 win over a Michigan State, a team that had returned four starters from the previous season’s Final Four squad. Next came the North Carolina Tar Heels, the No. 3 seed and the reigning NCAA champions, who fell 65-60 in the Patriots’ second and final game in Dayton, Ohio. From there, George Mason returned to the nearby Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., where a heavily partisan crowd watched four Patriots score in double figures in a 63-55 Sweet 16 win over fellow mid-major and No. 7 overall seed Wichita State University. That victory advanced the Patriots to the Elite Eight against overall No. Loaded with talent, the Huskies featured four players who would soon be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and five who would be among the league’s top 40 picks. Fueled by a massive and vocal Mason Nation presence, the Patriots embraced the underdog role against UConn. “It was great for college basketball,” said Lamar Butler, a former standout senior guard on that Final Four team who now serves as George Mason’s director of player development.

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Before the tournament, George Mason was largely unknown beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. That changed almost overnight. “It was one of those moments that, when you experience it, it never really leaves your mindset,” Skinn said.

Notable Players

Kenny Sanders took Mason to its first NCAA Tourney. At the turn of the century, George Evans was a player that Coach L built his team around. Evans is responsible for two NCAA Tourney appearances, multiple CAA top honors. I don't see anyone else who was as transformative AND received top honors AND took Mason to two NCAAs? Only George.

Women's Basketball: A Half-Century of Growth

50 years of George Mason women's basketball means 50 years of wins and losses, heartbreaks and victories. Over the 50 years, the team has had 264 players, 10 head coaches, and numerous support staff who have helped build the program that is George Mason women's basketball. When George Mason University established a women's basketball program in the 1973-74 school year, only 94 of the current NCAA Division I schools had established a women's basketball program. When the NCAA established divisions for women's basketball, George Mason was one of 254 programs that had joined Division 1 by 1982. Initially passed to protect students from sex-based discrimination at any educational institution that receives federal funding, the passage of Title IX on June 23, 1972, became synonymous with providing more opportunities in sports for females. This sparked a revolution that has ultimately grown the number of female collegiate athletes from 30,000 before Title IX to over 220,000.

Early Coaching and Key Players

Spuhler tapped George Mason senior and former baseball player Kevin Colgate to be the first basketball coach of the Patriots women's basketball program. He was given $500 as his budget. "The first season under Hap," Colgate jokes, "it was just kind of like, scrounging together who could play and is trying to put something together and go from there." In his only season as head coach, Colgate orchestrated a 7-game schedule going 3-4. In a 1974 article, Colgate recalls the struggle of trying to set up matchups due to the holidays, schools not returning calls, and setting practice times. Colgate is proud to have helped and led his 10-person squad Mason for its inaugural season. "I didn't know much about coaching basketball but […] I've learned to recognize that success and moving forward, particularly in a startup, and incremental improvements are all that counts," Colgate said.

After Colgate, Jim Wolfe and Jim Conklin co-coached the team for two seasons, before Becky Burch took the reins of the women's team in 1976, being named the fourth head coach and first female in Mason history. That season would also bring 4'11" guard Patty (Collett) Wotring to Mason. With far less reach recruiting wise in the 1970s, Mason would scout the local talent. In 1977, Wotring was joined by her high school teammates Kathy "Punky" Orlando and Janine Nelson. Wotring says it was the family environment that she loved so much about George Mason: "Whatever it was when we won, we won as a team. When we lost, we lost as a team.

1977 was also the year that Kathy Kleha joined the Patriots. A four-year member of the team, Kleha remains one of the all-time greats and still ranks 14th all-time in scoring (1,233 points) and ninth all-time in assists (302). She led the team in scoring in the 1977-78 and 1978-79 season, averaging 16.7 and 15.7 points per game, respectively. While the players were certainly talented, the team had trouble finding schools to play and transportation to get to games. Looking back on her days and where the program is today, Collett says, "It's kind of unbelievable.

Transition to Division I and Key Players of the 80s

Head coach Pat Layne took over the program in 1977 and led George Mason women's basketball to the Division I ranks prior to the 1982-83 season. Just a few years later, George Mason opened the Patriot Center (now EagleBank Arena) to hold its basketball games. But before any of those changes, there was Jeanne Daunoras. Joining the Patriots in 1980, the 6'2" forward was an instant powerhouse, averaging 12.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in her freshman campaign. To this day, she is fourth all-time in scoring (a feat she achieved with no three-point line), third all-time in rebounding, holds the program record for most career field goals (698), and had seven 30+ point games. Daunoras was on the team when George Mason transitioned to Division 1, but she doesn't remember being intimidated. "I don't remember ever being like 'Oh my god, we're playing here!' I guess because I am very competitive. I'm going out there. I don't care who I'm playing with.

Two other incredibly prominent players of the early 80s were Valarie Douglas and Linda Jones. The two shared the court from 1981-85 and put up record numbers in several categories. In scoring, Douglas ranks 15th with 1,177 points and Jones is 16th with 1,175.

The Jim Lewis Era and the Stars of the 90s

Legendary head coach Jim Lewis was hired prior to the 1984-85 season and became the sixth head coach in program history. "I was jumping around as an assistant at several schools for college men's teams for more than 10 years and locally as the basketball coach at South Lakes High School, and I was just trying to develop a career when Athletic Director Jack Kvancz called," said Coach Lewis. "I had always had respect for women's athletics. My sister was a star basketball player and she humbled me. Coach Lewis is still the winningest coach in Mason Women's Basketball history. He has an overall record of 201-141 and went 82-77 in the CAA.

The 90s brought a coaching transition, five of the top ten all-time scorers, including 2009 CAA Legend Krista Jay who finished her career with 1,400 points and now sits at No. 9 all-time. The decade also featured All-CAA honoree Trish Halpin, the school's all-time blocks leader with 236. Keri Chaconas created a bond with Coach Lewis that extended past her time as a Patriot. In her four years at George Mason, Chaconas scored 1,747 points (second all-time), including 218 three-pointers (first all-time), and dished out 439 assists (fourth all-time). Chaconas still holds the program record for most points in a game with 51 against East Carolina in 1995. In 1997, after her time at Mason, she attended an open tryout for the newly formed WNBA Washington Mystics, now coached by her former coach, Jim Lewis.

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Nickie Hilton and Marcell Harrison came to George Mason together in 1990, and both sit in the top ten for all-time scoring, with Hilton at sixth with 1,565 points and Harrison at seventh with 1,499. Hilton is the program's all-time leader in rebounds with 1,037, and Harrison is in the top ten all-time in assists, steals, and three-pointers made. Harrison remembers her time at Mason fondly, and especially remembers the impact Coach Lewis made on her, saying, "I think Coach Lewis was a trailblazer in fighting for women's basketball. A lot of things just improved through the years, and he pushed the fans and the school to get behind the basketball programs. He gave us opportunities; scheduling to play in big tournaments and against some solid schools to compete with.

Debbie Taneyhill Era and WNIT Appearances

Debbie Taneyhill began her tenure at Mason as a player under Coach Lewis in 1988, earning All-Rookie accolades in her first season. She finished her illustrious career with 273 assists, good for 11th all-time at Mason, and several All-Academic nods off the court. However, she remained in Fairfax on Lewis' coaching staff, along with Marcell Harrison two years later, working her way up the coaching ranks as she went from an assistant coach to associate coach. On Dec. 27, 1997, Taneyhill was given a chance to coach her former team as she was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 1997-98 season after Coach Lewis announced that he was stepping down to become the first head coach of the Washington Mystics. After going 10-10 as interim, Taneyhill was offered the head coaching position on Feb.

As the century turned, one of Mason's all-time greats, Jen Surlas, joined the program in 1997. The two-time All-CAA honoree was one of the Patriots' deepest shooting threats, finishing her career with 213 three-pointers, good for second all-time. The 2000s started strong with the program's first-ever trip to the WNIT in the 2000-01 season. Led by seniors Tish Wescott and Jen Surlas, and a fierce freshman class that included Jen Derevjanik, Susan Otim, and Vernessa Neamo, the Patriots went 21-9 (11-5 CAA). They lost in the first round of the WNIT to Georgetown. After that loss, those freshmen were determined to return to the WNIT. Three seasons later, the Patriots were back in the WNIT after winning 18 games and reaching the CAA championship game. Now seniors, Neamo, Otim, and Derevjanik were joined by junior Laura Kooji in the second WNIT appearance. The team went 18-11 overall and 11-7 in conference. The Patriots lost by four points in the CAA Championship to long-time rival and powerhouse Old Dominion. That season, Derevjanik and Neamo were both named to regular season All-CAA teams and to the All-CAA tournament teams. In an interview in 2022, Derevjanik said, "Because of the opportunities George Mason gave me, it helped me play professional basketball.

During her time at George Mason, Coach Taneyhill took two teams to the WNIT tournament, a pride she still feels today: "I'm proud of my time [at George Mason]," said Taneyhill.

Recent Years and the Move to the Atlantic 10

Coach Taneyhill left George Mason in 2008, and Coach Jeri Porter took over. In 2013, George Mason University moved to the Atlantic 10, a basketball-centric conference with more prestige and tougher competition. Though she had left in 2008, Coach Taneyhill commented on the move to the A-10, saying, "The shift to the Atlantic 10 speaks to the commitment to the athletics programs at George Mason and I think you're gonna get a first-class education. It's definitely something that I'm proud to say. Coach Nyla Millseon took over for Coach Porter in 2013, a new coach for a new conference. With a new start, the Patriots were looking to have their first winning season in almost 10 years. The first few years of the Atlantic 10 were highlighted by Taylor Brown, a native of Bowie, Md. and transfer from Georgetown. The three-time All-A-10 selection and No.

The Historic 2017-18 Season

The 2017-18 season is the most successful season in George Mason women's basketball history. It was headlined by transfer graduate student Natalie Butler, senior Taylor Dodson, sophomore Jacy Bolton, and freshman Nicole (Nikki) Cardaño-Hillary. The team boasted a 24-10 record, going 11-5 in conference, the best record to date. The Patriots advanced to the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals, and because of their body of work that year, received a bid to the WNIT for the third time in program history to extend the season. For the first time in program history, they won a WNIT game, beating Stephen F. Austin 82-75 at home in Fairfax.

"It's so special to know we are the winningest team in program history," said Butler. "And I say that with such pride from a sense of the support that we had from the George Mason community, the Green Machine, the students, and other student-athletes. We had such great support from so many different people around us. [The season] really wasn't just a team win, it was a university win. The team set a program single-season records for most assists (500), most free throws (489), and most wins (24). Butler was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, All-Atlantic 10 First team, and Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team. She was also named to the Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American team, standing as the only Patriot to earn an All-American honor in program history. Butler also set a program single season scoring record (653), an NCAA D1 single-season rebounding record (563), led the country in rebounding (16.6 rpg) and double-doubles (33), and tied the NCAA D1 record for most consecutive double-doubles (33). Cardaño-Hillary was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, All-Atlantic 10 Third Team, and Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team. She spent two more years at George Mason after that magical rookie season before transferring to Indiana University. Shortly before Cardaño-Hillary broke the program's all-time scoring record, Keri Chaconas, the previous all-time scoring record holder, paid her a visit that Cardaño-Hillary remembers fondly, saying, "Before I had [broken] the scoring record, I met [Keri Chaconas] so that was a really great experience to kind of have a conversation with her.

The Vanessa Blair-Lewis Era

Since taking over the helm in 2021, Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis has been steadily building a program that has seen marked improvement. Blair-Lewis arrived after a 3-10 (0-14, A-10) season and in three years, has ushered a new wave of success into the program. "Our slogan is 'Believe Big','' Blair-Lewis said. "We don't just throw that around as a slogan lightly. Blair-Lewis recognizes the importance of this season and its meaning. "It's giant shoulders to stand on," said Blair-Lewis. "We have so many great players that have come through Mason and 50 years of women's basketball. It's exciting to be on this precipice of sports, especially women's basketball. It's also exciting; look at the stands, and you see players that have come through the program that are back! They're supporting us! Blair-Lewis recognizes the importance of the history of the program. The players who put the building blocks in place already recognize her impact on the program. Alum and former head coach Debbie Taneyhill has been following the season and said, "I know Coach Blair-Lewis from way back.

Other Notable Sports

Men's Soccer

Men's soccer was one of the first varsity sports to be offered when the then George Mason College began its athletic program in the late 1960s. Since then, it has become one of the most successful programs among the 22 NCAA Division I sports currently offered. In the 39-year history of George Mason soccer, the program has a record of 377-264-76 for a winning percentage of .579. including 14 in a row from 1980 to 1993, and they have finished a season nationally ranked nine times (1981, '82, '84, '85, '87, '88, '90, '92 and '96) in the last 24 years. At George Mason Stadium, the team's 5,000-seat home field which opened for the 1982 season, the Patriots have a record of 140-61-26 (.674 winning percentage). The men's team has reached the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship eight times (1985, '86, '87, '89, '90, '96, 2006 and 2008).

Women's Soccer

Women's soccer has been perhaps the most successful program at George Mason University. The Patriots have reached the NCAA Division 1 Women's Soccer Championship twelve times and the College Cup four times (1983, '85, '86, '93), in 1983 they reached the final but would lose 4-0 to North Carolina. Under Coach Hank Leung, the Patriots would again reach the final in the 1985 tournament, on Nov. 24, in front of a record-crowd of 4,500 people at George Mason Stadium and millions on national television on an ESPN broadcast, No. 3 George Mason would beat No.

Swimming and Diving

The George Mason Patriots swimming and diving program represents George Mason in the aquatics sports of swimming and diving. Records as of Sept.

Track and Field

Diane Guthrie wore the Green and Gold from 1991-1995 and was a five-time NCAA Champion, winning the 1991 indoor and outdoor long jumps, the 1994 outdoor heptathlon and the 1995 indoor long jump and outdoor heptathlon. She was a three-time CAA Female Athlete of the Year (1992, 1994, 1995) and captured 11 individual CAA titles and eight outdoor ECAC titles. Diane was the winner of the 1995 Honda Award and USTCA Female Athlete of the Year while holding school record in the long jump (6.92m), high jump (1.90m), and the heptathlon (6,527). She has written her name in NCAA history in 1995 where she not only was crowned champion in the heptathlon, but she broke the NCAA meet record held by Jackie Joyner-Kersee in 1983. Diane Guthrie represented her national team of Jamaica competing in the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games. She won a gold medal in the long jump with a mark of 6.64m at the 1991 Pan American games held at Havana, Cuba. One year later in 1992, Diane competed at the Barcelona Olympic Games in the long jump event. Diane Guthrie's remarkable achievements both on and off the field are a testament to her unparalleled dedication, skill, and leadership.

Wrestling

"This event will celebrate the rich history of George Mason wrestling that dates back more than 50 years. The George Mason University Wrestling Hall of Fame is established to recognize and honor outstanding achievement in wrestling, contributions to Mason athletics, and significant service to society. The 2025 inductees include a distinguished lineup of inductees comprising All-Americans, state and National Wrestling Hall of Fame members, wrestling legends, veterans, and distinguished coaches. The 2025 Hall of Fame class represents people that have enjoyed success at all levels of their career. In addition, they have positively impacted both society and industry.

The Future of George Mason Athletics

George Mason University’s Intercollegiate Athletics is now entering one of the most significant transformations in its history. With the House v. This isn't just a shift in policy-it's a shift in possibility. At George Mason, we are prepared and energized to lead in this next chapter. Our commitment to building championship-caliber programs remains unwavering, as proudly demonstrated by the success of our men's and women's basketball teams this past season. Now is the moment to rally. To invest.

"We are standing at the edge of a new era-one that redefines what it means to support and empower student-athletes," said Marvin Lewis, director of Athletics. "The House settlement isn't just about policy change; it's about opportunity. At George Mason, we're embracing this moment to elevate our programs, deepen our impact, and rally our community like never before. To meet the demands of this new era and build the championship-level resources required to compete, George Mason Athletics-together with our partners at PlayFly Aspire-has conducted its first comprehensive review of basketball season ticket pricing and seating structure in over a decade. As part of our commitment to delivering a first-class game day, we are reimagining the Gold Room-our premier hospitality space inside EagleBank Arena. This is more than a ticket-it's a statement. An investment in the future of our student-athletes, our community, and a university on the rise.

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