Sports
Mason Alumnus The New Face of Chicago Fire
By Connect Mason Sports Reporter Michael Foss
Photo courtesy of MLSnet.com
America loves to root for the blue-collar hero.
We adore the guys who reach success through hard work, determination, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. But why?
Because they did it right, and so did Mason alumnus Denis Hamlett.
Larranaga Picks Up 400th Win Over Blue Hens
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photos by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland
The loss was still fresh in their mouths. Walking into the building that just a few days prior experienced loss for the first time in over a year, the George Mason Patriots even had to wait until a 9 p.m. start to finally get back into Colonial Athletic Association action.
It was just a matter of taking advantage of two seniors who wanted redemption and could see where the mismatch was the entire game: in the paint.
Will Thomas scored 24 points, Folarin Campbell added 19 and the Patriots used a 32-point advantage in the paint to defeat the Delaware Blue Hens 70-58 Wednesday before 4,667 at the Patriot Center.
George Mason (19-8, 11-5 CAA) placed four players in double figures, with Louis Birdsong and Dre Smith scoring 10 apiece. Thomas added a game-high 14 rebounds and Birdsong added eight.
Students Write Notes for Men's Basketball
Compiled by Grace Kendall, Cheryl Jones and Elizabeth Stern
- Men's Basketball goes up against Delaware tonight! Check out how some Mason students show their support for the team!
Baseball Swings Into Play
By Broadside Staff Writer Danny Uscinski
The George Mason University baseball team will open their season on Feb. 22 against the College of Charleston. Looking to improve on their fifth place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association last year, the Patriots are stronger than ever.
The Patriots lost three players from last year’s roster, but they were substantial losses. All three players - Chris Fournier, Jason Bour and J.J. Pannell - signed at last year’s Major League Baseball draft.
Lacrosse Season Kicks Off
By Broadside Staff Contributer Will Scullion
George Mason University Women’s Lacrosse team is poised for a strong season and possible run at the Colonial Athletic Association title.
The Patriots, who finished a disappointing 1-6 in CAA play last year and 6-10 overall, were picked fifth in this year’s CAA preseason poll.
Head Coach Amy Bokker, in her 11th year as the Patriots’ coach, believes that her team has a good chance to be the CAA champion.
Mason Softball Hopeful for New Season
By Broadside Staff Writer Brandon Simmons
Although the Patriots finished last in the CAA a year ago, they won 11 more games in 2007 than they did in 2006. After missing the CAA tournament last season, coach Joe Verbanic hopes that this year’s squad will be good enough to make the tournament in 2008.
Wilmington Bests Mason For Second Straight Day
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
If the weekend could not get any worse at George Mason University, the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks decided to stay in the area for one more day.
Brittany Blackwell scored 22 points and was joined in double figures by two other Seahawks as UNC-Wilmington (15-9, 5-7 CAA) defeated the George Mason Patriots (9-15, 3-10 CAA) 69-55 Sunday before 654 at the Patriot Center.
O’Connor Visits Class for Mock Press Conference
By Connect Mason Sports Reporter Mike Coppinger
Photo courtesy of GoMason.com
On Thurs., Feb. 14, George Mason University athletic director Tom O’Connor visited Professor Steve Klein’s Sports Writing and Reporting class.
In addition to his position as athletic director, O’Connor also has the honor of serving as Chair for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Committee for the 2007-08 season. O’Connor spoke to the class and answered questions from students regarding the selection process.
When asked what is considered when two teams are competing for a spot, O’Connor said, “The rule of thumb is who you played, where you played, and how you did.”
Patriots Lose First Home Game, Second Place in CAA
By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photo by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland
Talk about a bad time to lose the first home game of the season.
With second place in the Colonial Athletic Association at stake, the George Mason Patriots could have taken control of their position and prepare for the final few games of the regular season.
Instead, T.J. Carter’s fall-away lay up as time expired lifted the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks (17-10, 10-5 CAA) into second place and past the George Mason Patriots (18-8, 10-5 CAA) 75-73 Saturday before 9,840 at the Patriot Center.
Will Thomas was at the free throw line with six seconds remaining after he was fouled by Vladimir Kuljanin. Thomas hit the first and then missed the second. That allowed Carter enough time to race up the court and hit the game-winner.
John Vaughan Steps Up His Game
By Broadside Staff Writer Matt Molina
Photo by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland