Preseason 2015

We are well underway in our preseason training. I am pleased with the attitude and effort of the team. As a whole, they are figuring out what it takes to be a successful Division 1 wrestler. Lifestyle is important as the margin for error is much less than when they were in high school. They need to train with intensity and frequency, but also take care of business in the classroom and in their personal life. The Mason Way is not easy, but if done right, it will give them the best odds for success.

One of the difficult things associated with being a head coach, with a roster cap, is making the necessary cuts to get to the allotted roster. After lots of discussion, thought, prayer and lost sleep, I have set the roster for the 2015-16 season. We certainly had guys not make the team that I hope continue to pursue the great things wrestling has to offer. My guess is many will.

The Patriot Elite Wrestling Club hosted the 4th Annual Paul Maltagliati Memorial Golf Tournament last week. Tyler Corey did a great job running the event. I certainly appreciate his leadership and effort. Our board members rallied to help make it our best fundraiser to date. We are fortunate to have the PEWC supporting Mason Wrestling. Thanks to all who supported the golf tournament. We are grateful.

Next month, we will host a coaches’ clinic (October 23) and a wrestling clinic (October 24). I am pleased that the Head Wrestling Coach for the United States Air Force Academy Sam Barber has agreed to be our headliner for both clinics. For more information about the clinics you can go online to http://www.patriotelitewrestling.com or contact me directly at jrusse13@gmu.edu.

Go Patriots.

September-School has Started

School has started. The boys are back in town. I enjoy seeing the crew start on a new journey. We have lots of new faces. Starting college, being away from home, can be a very difficult time but my hope is this team can pull together and help each other be successful.

I was pleased with some of the things I saw in the summer. We had lots of guys be diligent in their training. We had guys grow as responsible men. All of the returners read a book this summer for personal growth. We got better.

5 guys trained with the USA National Team at the Olympic Training Center last month. I was pleased they took advantage of the opportunity. I was also pleased to hear about their experience and the lessons they learned while in Colorado Springs. The World Championships are a few days away and I know the guys will be more in tune to watch the USA team compete as they were part of the preparation process. We are also fortunate to have our Head Assistant Coach Israel Silva serve as one of the USA Coaches. He will be able to represent George Mason at the World Championships and also will be able to share his experiences with us.

We will begin our first week of preseason training on the first day of the World Championships. We will have about one month to prepare before our first official practice. This is a crucial time to gain conditioning, build strength, increase technical expertise and to complete weight certifications.

On September 14, our club will host the 4th Annual Paul Maltagliati Memorial Golf Tournament. This is an important fundraiser for the club. We hope to have a good turnout of golfers and sponsors. Being an Olympic year, the club will need more money to get guys to competitions. Please support this event.

Our season schedule is complete.
Nov 21 @ Navy Classic 9am
Nov 29 @ Grapple at the Garden – Rutgers 10am
Dec 13 CLARION, Noon, GRAND CANYON 3pm (GCU v NCST 1030am, Clarion and GCU 130pm)
Dec 21 DAVIDSON 7pm
Dec 29 @ LHU Tournament – 930am
Jan 3 VA TECH 2pm
Jan 8-9 @ VA Duals (times and teams TBA)
Jan 16 @Cleveland State (noon) and @ Edinboro 7pm
Jan 22 LOCK HAVEN 7pm
Jan 30 @SHU 730pm
Jan 31 @ Rider 11am
Feb 3 @ Navy 7pm
Feb 6 BLOOMSBURG 2pm
Feb 13 F&M 1pm and Bucknell 300pm
Feb 14 @Maryland 7pm
Feb 18 VMI 7pm
Feb 21 AMERICAN 2pm
March 5 EWL @ Lock Haven 10am
March 17-19 NCAA @ NY, NY (MSG)

We hope to have a large contingent of George Mason Fans at the NCAA tournament this year. Soon we will be securing a block of tickets to sell for fans to sit together at Madison Square Garden for the NCAA Tournament. We have already reserved a block of hotel rooms at the Marriott Courtyard – Secaucus. If you would like to stay at this location the cost is $169 per night. You can call Marriott Reservations at 1(800)321-2211 on or before February 24 to make your reservation. Please identify yourself as part of the GMU Wrestling Fan Block staying at the Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands, located at 455 Harmon Meadow Boulevard, Secaucus, NJ.