Pride of Mason

The 2006 NCAA Final Four appearance sparked an overwhelming wave of pride and unity across the George Mason University student body, igniting a sense of belonging and school spirit unlike anything the campus had experienced before. An important example of this was the Johnson Center, the heart of campus life, packed with a never-before-seen crowd of students, faculty, and alumni for the university’s official watch party of the Final Four game. The energy was electric, with cheers and chants echoing throughout the building as Mason’s "Magic Carpet Ride" captivated the nation.

The alumni magazine, Mason Spirit, showcased much of the energy in its Spring 2006 issue. All around campus, students were eager to show their support. Many scrambled to find GMU merchandise that was sold in record numbers, wanting to represent the school with pride during such a historic moment. The buzz of excitement wasn’t limited to campus. The spirit spread into the surrounding Fairfax community, where parades and public displays of support created a sense of connection between the university and the city. There were even banners sprawled across road signs around Fairfax, as described by Bill Rohland, GMU's women's basketball announcer at the time. It was a moment when George Mason University became a central point of pride for people well beyond its student body.

However, as the tournament faded into memory and normal routines resumed, the extraordinary sense of unity that had filled the campus began to fade. The powerful surge in school spirit that accompanied the 2006 run, while unforgettable, proved to be a unique and momentary high. Over the years that followed, that level of widespread engagement and visible pride slowly dissipated. Today, while the memory of that magical season is still honored, it has become a distant part of history that is yet to be recreated.

The Final Four run remains a cherished chapter in Mason’s story, a moment when it felt like anything was possible. Yet for many, it also stands as a reminder of what school spirit once looked like in its most vivid form, drawing a sharp contrast to what exists today. Some even argue that the event's success was its own downfall, as put forth by the Fourth Estate. It was a remarkable flashpoint in the university’s history, a time when the community came together as one. But ultimately, it was all confined to that moment. Despite its lasting emotional resonance, it has not continued to define the everyday culture of George Mason University.