It’s less about wins and losses for , and more about building enduring bridges for the long term.
The George Mason ĢAV assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture.
The plan is designed to keep George Mason competitive in the with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes.
“I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George Mason Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.”
Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated.
“If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.”
Key Highlights of the Plan
There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the Mason Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate , enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position.
Basketball Greatness:
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The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George Mason as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia.
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Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential.
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A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes.
Sports Performance Ecosystem:
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$8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources.
Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:
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$3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:
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Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.
Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George Mason. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million.
“Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.”
Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George Mason.
While most current George Mason students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter.
This season marked a historic year for George Mason Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95.
“Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.”
The magic starting to take hold at George Mason hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May.
But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community.
The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions.
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