Sports
Lunch Break: Mason's Most Famous Alum...
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Daily items of interest from all over the news and blog feeds.
Should George Mason's trustees have done this for the team's first round game against Notre Dame? It would have been nice to have had more fan support.
BLOGGER: Providence is Knocking
By Mason Blogger Ryan Kish for George Mason Basketball
After weeks of speculation on Coach Larranaga and the recent head coaching job opening at his alma mater Providence, I think it's time to share some perspective on the subject. After the Final Four run of 2006 many schools were pursuing the old ball coach, even NC State. I wasn't worried then about Coach L leaving and not really that worried now either. Today in Andy Katz blog he confirms that Providence has indeed been in contact with Mason.
- Listen to the Sportbreak's take on Larranaga:
Women's Basketball Coach Taneyhill Resigns
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Announced Monday on GoMason.com, women's basketball coach Debbie Taneyhill has resigned from her position to pursue other opportunities.
The 2001 CAA women's basketball coach of the year had high hopes for the season following a 6-4 start, including starting 5-0 at home for the first time in school history.
However, the Lady Patriots fell on hard times as they only won three of their last 20 games to finish the 2007-08 campaign at 9-21.
More updates to come in the next few days.
BLOGGER: Countdown to Game Time
By Connect Mason Soccer Blogger Mike Foss
The men's soccer team played our first game of the spring season on Saturday at 2 p.m. Up to this point, the focus of training has been to improve us physically as athletes and technically as soccer players. Our coaches have done such a meticulous job ensuring we keep our focus that it has almost come as a surprise to find myself preparing for our first game.
Basketball Team Comes Home Tonight
Leaving behind the dreams of another run to the Final Four, the men's basketball team and pep band are scheduled to return home at 11:15 p.m. tonight, according to an email sent out today. They will disembark at the loading docks behind the Patriot Center.
The team returns from Denver after their defeat to Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA championship tournament.
One and Done: Patriots Bounced By Irish
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photos by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland
DENVER - With as much optimism coming into this NCAA Tournament as a result of the 2006 Final Four run, many felt that the George Mason Patriots would duplicate that feat and make another appearance in late March.
As the final buzzer sounded, those thoughts of optimism were replaced with tears of sorrow as towel-covered heads were hung low as the players slowly walked to the locker room.
This did not go how it was planned.
- See photos of the pre-game festivities and the face-off against Notre Dame.
LIVE From Denver
Live NCAA coverage from Denver. Expect panelists to chime in from Mason's Fairfax campus and from local watch parties/venues.
Use the above chat to send your own game comments and analysis. Email your photos, videos and audio to cmasondirector@gmail.com and we'll feature them in the live blog and throughout Connect Mason.
Want to be a panelist? Comment in the chat and Connect Mason will make it happen.
Patriots Give Autographs at Open Practice
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photos by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland
DENVER – In their last day of preparation for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, the Patriots used a two-year-old philosophy that kept the attitude in the Pepsi Center relaxed and poised in their open practice Wednesday afternoon.
- See photos from the Pepsi Center.
- Watch footage from the Patriot Send-Off, courtesy of University Relations.
The same sentiment kept the team strong in their 2006 Final Four run.
At the end of the practice, Larranaga told the team to go into the crowd and sign autographs for Mason fans.
Denver Postcard: Just Landed and Already at Work
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
DENVER - It feels a little different being 5,656 feet above sea level, but the scenery here on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains is beautiful.
We are staying in the Marriott Denver Tech Center. Already ran into Coach Larranaga and Folarin Campbell while heading to the atrium to get wireless service. The Green Machine is here, as well, in full force and those guys can't wait to perform tomorrow evening.
Fairfax Campus Hosts NCAA Watch Parties
By Connect Mason Director Whitney Rhodes
Photo by Connect Mason Multimedia Director Grace Kendall
Can't afford the airfare to Denver? Don't worry. Mason's keeping the poor Patriot fan in mind with several watch parties featuring the first round NCAA tournament game against Notre Dame.
- Check back tomorrow for play-by-play NCAA action.
- Add your own game thoughts, analysis, photos, videos and audio by emailing Connect Mason here.
The Johnson Center Atrium and Bistro, as well as the Corner Pocket game room and Damon's in Student Union I will open to basketball fans at 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, according to Sandy Hubler, vice president of University Life.
These venues will air the 9:40 p.m. game and toss out giveaways.