First Week Update

The team did well during the first week of official practice. I was pleased to see positive results from their pre-season training. We put them through a difficult week of training and they responded in a positive manner.

Friday we hosted a coach’s clinic. The clinic began with coaches watching our team practice. I liked the knowledge and effort the team showed in their training. Canaan Bethea, Mark Weader and Kevin Steinhaus all did a good job with their presentations and also took time to answer questions. I was bummed by the low turnout, but hopeful those who attended found their time well spent.

On Saturday, we hosted a wrestling clinic. Kevin Steinhaus ran the clinic and was assisted by our entire team. I enjoyed watching the clinic and the interaction between our team and those who attended the event. After the clinic, the team participated in a public practice. I was excited with the turn out. George Mason University invited Alums and Families to campus for the weekend. Having a public practice, fit well with the other events on campus. It was a good day for our program.

We will have about a month to train before we compete. Our first official competition will be on November 17 as we host Indiana University at the RAC. We will compete at the Navy Classic on November 19. On Sunday, November 27 we will compete at the Grapple at the Garden. We will wrestle Buffalo and Hofstra. For those that want to join us at Madison Square Garden in New York City, you can buy tickets in the Mason section via our ticket office. Contact the George Mason Ticket office at 703/993-3270 or icatix@gmu.edu.

Fall Training, Clinics, Public Practice, and Schedule

Preseason Training has come to an end. I have been pleased with the effort and attitude of our team. They did well in their fall preparation. Our new staff has jumped in and I can see their positive influence on the team already. I am hopeful the guys stay focused on their goals and work to improve on a consistent basis.

The NCAA changed the rule on skill instruction this summer. We can now do skill instruction in bigger groups. I think this rule change helped us be more enthusiastic in our training. We got more done.

One thing I have struggled with this summer and fall is with having wrestlers choose not to return. I know it happens in all programs and there are often good reasons for guys to choose a different path. I just want to make sure it is done for the right reasons. I want to make sure it is not a flaw in my leadership. Some of the reasons given to me over the past few months for stepping away from the program are: health, school, family, finances, and motivation. These are all legitimate. I just hope the guys were retiring and not quitting. The window for being a D1 athlete is small. When it closes, it can’t be reopened. Living a life with few regrets is important. I don’t want guys looking back with regret for not finishing their college wrestling opportunity.

Our annual Paul Maltagliati Golf Tournament proved to be a fun day. George Mason Athletics Director Brad Edwards started the event off with encouraging words about the direction of the college team and Patriot Elite Wrestling Club. We are in good hands. After the beautiful day on the course, we had some time to share a meal, a few laughs and give away prizes to about everyone in the room. Thanks to all who attended the event, our event sponsors and the crew of volunteers who helped pull off another successful event. A special shout out to the tournament director – Tyler Corey. I am confident Paul would be pleased with the progress of the club he started.

Per NCAA rule, we can start official practice on October 10. We are going to roll the mats out in the Field House and wrestle for the public to watch for the entire first week of official practice. It will be nice to be outside the wrestling room for a short while.

For the 3rd consecutive fall we are going to host a coaches’ clinic. Although our numbers have been low, I think it is a good thing for us to try and build. My hope is local coaches will see it as a positive out reach. This year I am excited to have Kevin Steinhaus as our headliner. I know he will do a great job. It will also be a good opportunity for coaches to spend time with the new George Mason University Wrestling Staff. Please help spread the word. Here is the link about the October 14 event http://www.gomason.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25200&SPID=80369&SPSID=606332&DB_OEM_ID=25200

The following morning, after the coaches’ clinic, we will host a wrestling clinic. Kevin Steinhaus will headline this event as well. The athletes will receive lots of individual attention as our entire team will help Kevin. The flyer for this event can be found in the above link.

Following the wrestling clinic, the team will hold a public practice. This event will be free to attend. In conjunction with Alumni and Family Weekend at George Mason University, we thought it would be great for alums and family members to be able to watch the team practice. Alums feel free to bring your wrestling shoes so you can get on the mat and help the next generation of Mason Men.

In case you missed it our schedule has been released for the upcoming season.

Nov 17 INDIANA UNIVERSITY 7pm
Nov 19 @ Navy Classic (USNA) 10am
Nov 27 @ Grapple at the Garden (New York City, NY) – Buffalo 10am, Hofstra 12pm
Dec 3 @ Bloomsburg University 2pm
Dec 4 @ Lock Haven University Noon
Dec 9 NDSU v. MD 4pm, NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY 530pm, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND 7pm
Dec 21 @ University of Virginia (Richmond, VA) 7pm
Dec 29 @ Lock Haven Classic (LHU) 930am
Jan 6 @ Davidson College Noon
Jan 7 @ Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (@ VMI) Noon
Jan 7 @ Virginia Military Institute 2pm
Jan 15 CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY 2pm
Jan 20 @ Clarion University 7pm
Jan 22 EDINBORO UNIVERSITY 2pm
Jan 29 RIDER UNIVERSITY 2pm
Feb 8 UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY 7pm
Feb 11 @Franklin & Marshall College 6pm
Feb 17 @ American University 7pm
Feb 19 SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY 2pm
March 4 EWL @ Bloomsburg University 10am
March 16-18 NCAA @ St Louis, MO All Day

All of our home matches are listed in bold and are held at the RAC. We will have dual meets with teams from 7 of the 8 NCAA D1 conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, EIWA, EWL, MAC, Southern). The only conference we won’t see in dual meet competition is the PAC 12. Hopefully we can add them to the list next year.

Thanks for supporting George Mason Wrestling. Together we can do great things.