It has been an exciting week at George Mason University. We started our strength, conditioning and skill instruction for the preseason. Having everyone together preparing for the year ahead brings great anticipation. I have challenged the guys to pursue excellence in everything they do. Whether it be in their training, competition, studies or life, I want them giving their best effort and having a great attitude. If we collectively strive for excellence, we will be able to achieve greatness together.
Our new coaching staff is in place. There will be an announcement made soon. I guess if you read this blog you will be ahead of most in finding out. As you already know, Greg Flournoy has assumed the position of Volunteer Assistant Coach. Joining the program this week as a full-time Assistant Coach was Canaan Bethea. I am confident he will have an immediate and positive impact on the program. Rejoining the program as a Coach is former Head Coach Mark Weader. His passion and knowledge of George Mason Wrestling has helped me since my arrival on campus. I am pleased to work with him in a more formal setting. I am excited about this staff. Together we can do great things.
Come meet and welcome the new wrestling staff this Wednesday at the Paul Maltagliati Golf Tournament at the Bull Run Golf Club. You can golf or just join us for the dinner portion of the event. To sign up go to http://www.patriotelitewrestling.com. It should be a fun day together.
The schedule has been done, for the most part, for quite some time. We are currently waiting for the A10 Basketball schedule to be finalized before we can release our schedule. Here is a sneak peek at our first semester dates as I believe they will not be altered. We will kick off the year with a home dual against Indiana University November 17 at 7pm at the RAC. Then we will be on the road for the Navy Classic on November 19 and at the Grapple at the Garden on November 27 where we will wrestle Buffalo University at 1030am and Hofstra University at 1230pm. We will have two conference duals on the road December 3rd at Bloomsburg University at 2pm and December 4th at Lock Haven University at Noon. We will host the Mason Duals at the RAC on December 9. North Dakota State University will wrestle the University of Maryland at 4pm, NDSU will wrestle us at 530pm, and finally UMD will wrestle us at 7pm.
I hope to see you often this year as your support helps the wrestlers achieve their dreams, build the program as a whole, and gives the wrestlers a meaningful D1 experience.
masonwrestling 