Basketball and School Identity

For many students and alumni, basketball has always been more than just a game at George Mason, it’s been a way to feel connected to the school. The 2006 Final Four run was a turning point in how people saw GMU. It turned a relatively unknown commuter school into a nationally recognized name almost overnight. That success brought more than media attention. It sparked school pride, boosted applications, and helped change the perception of what kind of place Mason is. Students who weren’t even basketball fans felt the energy. Faculty and alumni started wearing green and gold more proudly. The Patriot Center (now EagleBank Arena) became a real symbol of that identity shift.

GMU’s run also helped shape its branding. News outlets called the team a Cinderella story, and that label stuck, painting the university as an underdog that could go toe-to-toe with giants. Since then, the story of 2006 has been used in admissions material, alumni campaigns, and sports promos. Basketball helped give GMU a sense of community, something especially powerful at a campus known for being spread out and diverse. It gave students a reason to come together, and something to cheer for that truly felt like Mason.