Game 13: GMU (11-1) vs Penn (6-5) on Sunday, December 28, at 5:00 PM.

[GunstonsGhost]

Attendance: 3860
Seemed bigger than that. Family Day promotion--long lines in concourse for balloon animals/ face painting.

I thought maybe they had the idea of changing the student section as last week's winter graduation would have changed/taken out the bleachers. With classes not starting again for 3+ weeks, no particular need for a significant space for students. There were some folks sitting above the portal at what would have been the student section.

Family day did seem to draw a good crowd for a late Sunday game. I thought we might have been over 4k. The kids around me were loud and into the game.

As for the green room taking over the student section, I like it as a temporary solution for student engagement. Student seats are now more limited, hopefully drawing only the ones who are actually there for the game. They're also next to the band and might take some cues from them. Once they show they are more than passive observers then the give them the section back. I also realize classes are out, so it might not have the desired effect...

 

[GMUgemini]

The fact that he did NOT talk address moving out the ball and sharing the basketball is troubling.

They have regressed both offensive and defensive end analytically.

Its the reason Mason will drop outside of the NET TOP 75 later on tonight.

Mason had 13 assists on 34 baskets with Penn making 19 assists on 30 baskets says it all.

Part of why they had such low assist numbers today is because they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn (1-15 on 3s). Most of their offense in the second half was guys just taking it to the rack or getting fouled and going to the FT line. It’s hard to get credit for an assist when the guy you pass the ball to misses the shot.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I heard conflicting reports/rumors about the student section last night and whether or not this will continue.

 

[psyclone]

Box score:

Men's Basketball vs Penn on 12/28/2025 - Box Score - George Mason University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Basketball vs Penn on 12/28/2025

gomason.com

Note:
Ellington-16 pts, 11 rebounds in 17 min
Hill-18 pts in 20 min
Kanga-4 pts, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks in 13 min

 

[NewPatriot]

I heard conflicting reports/rumors about the student section last night and whether or not this will continue.

Everyone is on vacation! Why would students be there?

That's crazy that the university would consider getting rid of it based on OOC attendance..at least wait til the end of the season.

 

[mkaufman1]

Family day did seem to draw a good crowd for a late Sunday game. I thought we might have been over 4k. The kids around me were loud and into the game.

As for the green room taking over the student section, I like it as a temporary solution for student engagement. Student seats are now more limited, hopefully drawing only the ones who are actually there for the game. They're also next to the band and might take some cues from them. Once they show they are more than passive observers then the give them the section back. I also realize classes are out, so it might not have the desired effect...

I heard conflicting reports/rumors about the student section last night and whether or not this will continue.

For buy games in November and December its fine.

For real games against conference opponents I can't imagine this will continue. I think this is a pilot program from what I heard.

Thats my opinion at least.

 

[DRK331]

Good breakdown of the Penn game by Finest Magazine on Youtube

Video starts at 1:17 mark

 

[GM Logo Guy]

I heard conflicting reports/rumors about the student section last night and whether or not this will continue.

The concept is good, but the execution looks temporary and messy.

 

[GM Logo Guy]

For buy games in November and December its fine.

For real games against conference opponents I can't imagine this will continue. I think this is a pilot program from what I heard.

Thats my opinion at least.

I like the idea of flattening part of the student section, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. What about a true standing, walk-around student zone behind the hoop instead of seated space? Could boost energy and look more intentional.

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

I like the idea of flattening part of the student section, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. What about a true standing, walk-around student zone behind the hoop instead of seated space? Could boost energy and look more intentional.

This is a good idea! Hopefully Mason Athletics see this

 

[mkaufman1]

I like the idea of flattening part of the student section, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. What about a true standing, walk-around student zone behind the hoop instead of seated space? Could boost energy and look more intentional.

This is a good idea! Hopefully Mason Athletics see this

I’m with you, I agree. There was talk of chairs being pulled out a few years ago but if I recall, someone in the AD vetoed it.

@MasonFanatic probably remembers the details better than me.

 

[jkh1978]

I like the idea of flattening part of the student section, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. What about a true standing, walk-around student zone behind the hoop instead of seated space? Could boost energy and look more intentional.

That little standing section works well at the soccer games

 

[jessej]

I’m with you, I agree. There was talk of chairs being pulled out a few years ago but if I recall, someone in the AD vetoed it.

@MasonFanatic probably remembers the details better than me.

i can imagine the students saying that our fees pay for seats at the game so you should have seats at the game

 

[GM Logo Guy]

i can imagine the students saying that our fees pay for seats at the game so you should have seats at the game

Mason students pay about $800 a year in athletics fees. JMU students pay around $2,400. Suck it up, Mason. Plus, students can still sit with the band or in the upper-level seats.

 

[MASONscott]

My understanding is the temporary setup was a one off (there may be one more) thank you to corporate donors. They were allowed to bring invited guests to the game. I actually thought it was a good idea given students are generally out this week and raising money will for the foreseeable future be a necessity.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I’m with you, I agree. There was talk of chairs being pulled out a few years ago but if I recall, someone in the AD vetoed it.

@MasonFanatic probably remembers the details better than me.

It's not a new idea but we couldn't execute on it until they replaced the bleachers. Since we don't have suites, they need to experiment with other options. I personally don't want to see this one become a permanent thing, but I appreciate theat they're trying new stuff instead of settling for the status quo or making excuses.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

It's not a new idea but we couldn't execute on it until they replaced the bleachers. Since we don't have suites, they need to experiment with other options. I personally don't want to see this one become a permanent thing, but I appreciate theat they're trying new stuff instead of settling for the status quo or making excuses.

Makes sense to me. How are we supposed to get corporate sponsors if there is no where for the companies to socialize with their people at the game. Can't just block off a couple rows of seats, that's lame.

 

[FlPatriot]

They could probably build a multi-tiered area with tables arranged in a manner that maximizes sight lines. Put a bar on the upper level and have menus from select concessions available with an Uber Eats kind of delivery system.

 

[Jack Strop]

...students can still sit with the band or in the upper-level seats.

As a student-fan, I would not have sat in upper-level seats. That would have been an insult. The whole point of being at the game was cheering on my Patriots close to the action. We didn't come to games to SIT anywhere.

Drawing the bleachers back for a couple of games per season during winter break is fine. Student participation is minimal during this time—not much lost. It cannot, however, become a regular thing if one is attempting to nurture students into becoming better fans of the game. Yes, progress is slow on that front, but cutting off the bleachers to students permanently??? That would kill off student participation faster than anything.

 

[Verdad]

I love that they are even considering something like this and trying it out - make that area the gold room please!

If it works and we keep it, move students behind visitors bench and next to band where they should be.