Lamar Butler joins Men's Basketball Broadcast Team

[Washingtonian]

http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25200&ATCLID=209604207

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason men’s basketball legend Lamar Butler will join play-by-play veteran Bill Rohland as color analyst for the 2014-15 men’s basketball season. Butler, Mason’s Atlantic 10 Conference Legend last season, will make his debut as color analyst opening night, Friday, November 14 when the Patriots tipoff the season against Cornell.

“I’m looking forward to bringing all the action of Mason basketball to the fans as a member of the broadcast team for the Patriots,” said Butler. “To come back to a place where I have so many great memories and be a part of something I enjoy fulfills a dream of mine.”

Butler played for the Patriots from 2001-06 as Mason compiled an overall record of 101-53 during his time on the court, which included two NIT appearances and the historic run to the Final Four. Butler finished his career just shy of reaching the 1,500-career points mark as the local native scored 1,488 points during his collegiate career.

 

[mason89]

Great news!

 

[JamesMason]

now just replace gobo and get on FM broadcast and we are set!

 

[Pablo]

now just replace gobo and get on FM broadcast and we are set!

Are you kidding about replacing gobo?

 

[GMU-B]

This is great news! And I am huge fan of gobo too. I look forward to hearing how they mesh.

 

[GMUgemini]

Are you kidding about replacing gobo?

Well I have my doubts that Butler will be better than Rik Wilson, but hopefully more available.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Not a bad idea at all

 

[polepino]

Awesome! I am biased because I loved when Butler played here and have more of a fan connection with him than with Ric Wilson but, it is a valid point as to how well he can mesh with gobo since it will be his first job as such, as far as I understand it. Good luck Lamar!

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I think this is a solid move and we are starting to see movements coming out of the AD to improve the face of Mason athletics. I also like the update videos on things like the expansion and renovations at the field house. There is a great video by the manager of Mason's strength programs. The put out a very aggressive vision of the future.

 

[MasonCrew]

Great news. Butler's always been a stand up representation of a student athlete. Will be interesting to see how he connects with players in interviews.

 

[gmujim92]

Lamar is awesome. Great personality and obviously knows a lot about basketball. Will be interesting to see how he communicates that knowledge during games because that's not easy to do.

Regardless, smart move by Edwards.

The guy clearly "gets" that we need more connection to the program's history -- especially the Final Four team -- than less.

 

[GMU84fanman]

First, I want to thank Ricky (his playing name) for his outstanding color analysis during GMU basketball games and hope that he has voluntarily moved on for other reasons. He was a terrific, versatile and very athletic player who brought excellent and honest perspective to the games. Second, I agree with most of your comments that, given the opening, Lamar is a great choice. Not only does he provide an essential link to a positive time in the program's history (that even some of the current student body may recall) but Lamar understands the game, is very likable, can hopefully provide some objective analysis given no direct linkage to the current regime and should be a nice addition to Gobo (who incidentally is terrific as a play-by-play announcer). We had a great thing going with Bill and Ric and I am pretty confident it will continue with Lamar. I don't know about you but I think it would have been nice to have had a sentence in the article thanking Ric for his years of service to the team and the broadcast.

 

[Walter]

Good points. Ricky is a great Patriot. I hope he stays connected to the program.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

I'd say Ric is doing ok. This is from his LinkedIn page:

Ric Wilson
Snr. Director Sports Marketing at Jordan Brand

February 2014 – Present (7 months)Beaverton Oregon

Also explains why he didn't do the last month or so of the season. He was out in Oregon I guess.





He should put Mason in Jordan Brand!

 

[GMUgemini]

I'd say Ric is doing ok. This is from his LinkedIn page:

Ric Wilson
Snr. Director Sports Marketing at Jordan Brand

February 2014 – Present (7 months)Beaverton Oregon

Also explains why he didn't do the last month or so of the season. He was out in Oregon I guess.





He should put Mason in Jordan Brand!

Good for him. We could certainly do worse than Lamar Butler to replace him.

Jai Lewis would have been another great choice, but I think he's still playing overseas.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I'm very happy to see that the school and Lamar found a role for him in the program. From his tweets during last season, I could tell that he wanted to be more involved, although not at the level of an assistant coach.

 

[GMU84fanman]

I'd say Ric is doing ok. This is from his LinkedIn page:

Ric Wilson
Snr. Director Sports Marketing at Jordan Brand

February 2014 – Present (7 months)Beaverton Oregon

Also explains why he didn't do the last month or so of the season. He was out in Oregon I guess.

Thanks Siegfried--good to know he is off to greener pastures.