Where Are They Now?

OP
Pablo

Pablo

Hall of Famer
More on Ernie Nestor who was the head coach when I became a season ticket holder - https://gomason.com/news/2025/1/27/...-mens-basketball-head-coach-ernie-nestor.aspx

"Remembering Former Head Coach Ernie Nestor
Jay Marsh – Student-Athlete (1970-72), Administrator (1976-2021)

'Coach Nestor's time at George Mason will be remembered for his friendship with everyone involved in the program and greater campus community. He led George Mason to our first NCAA Tournament, but most important to Ernie was his family, his friends and sharing basketball memories. Carolyn and I send prayers to his family and we will miss him.'

Andrew Fingall – Student-Athlete (1991-95)
'
I have always been grateful for Coach Nestor and the GMU family since 1990, when he took a chance on a kid from Irvington, NJ. He was not only an exceptional coach but also a mentor along with his coaching staff. He had the ability to connect with players during challenging times, and he knew when to enforce discipline, which typically resulted in sprints.

Over the years, he kept up with my family and with my military career. One time, we connected over Facebook Messenger when he was coaching in Kosovo and I was on my third deployment in Afghanistan. He told me he was proud of me and my service to the country, which meant a lot to me. He also showed genuine interest in my kids' athletic pursuits as one daughter played basketball at Stanford and the other played volleyball at Tennessee.

It truly is an honor when a coach cares enough to stay in touch with his athletes 33 years later. These are the things that truly matter - genuine relationships and thoughtful messages to show support and encouragement. I'm sorry to see coach pass on, but again, grateful that he took a chance on me.'"

One memory I have of the Ernie Nestor era that is worthy of "You can't make this stuff up" occurred during the 1992-93 season: George Mason's 7' center Craig Hodges left the bench and quit the team during a home game.
 

mason89

Starter
More on Ernie Nestor who was the head coach when I became a season ticket holder - https://gomason.com/news/2025/1/27/...-mens-basketball-head-coach-ernie-nestor.aspx

"Remembering Former Head Coach Ernie Nestor
Jay Marsh – Student-Athlete (1970-72), Administrator (1976-2021)

'Coach Nestor's time at George Mason will be remembered for his friendship with everyone involved in the program and greater campus community. He led George Mason to our first NCAA Tournament, but most important to Ernie was his family, his friends and sharing basketball memories. Carolyn and I send prayers to his family and we will miss him.'

Andrew Fingall – Student-Athlete (1991-95)
'
I have always been grateful for Coach Nestor and the GMU family since 1990, when he took a chance on a kid from Irvington, NJ. He was not only an exceptional coach but also a mentor along with his coaching staff. He had the ability to connect with players during challenging times, and he knew when to enforce discipline, which typically resulted in sprints.

Over the years, he kept up with my family and with my military career. One time, we connected over Facebook Messenger when he was coaching in Kosovo and I was on my third deployment in Afghanistan. He told me he was proud of me and my service to the country, which meant a lot to me. He also showed genuine interest in my kids' athletic pursuits as one daughter played basketball at Stanford and the other played volleyball at Tennessee.

It truly is an honor when a coach cares enough to stay in touch with his athletes 33 years later. These are the things that truly matter - genuine relationships and thoughtful messages to show support and encouragement. I'm sorry to see coach pass on, but again, grateful that he took a chance on me.'"

One memory I have of the Ernie Nestor era that is worthy of "You can't make this stuff up" occurred during the 1992-93 season: George Mason's 7' center Craig Hodges left the bench and quit the team during a home game.
I'll always remember coach Nestor for getting us over the top to our first NCAA Tournament (using Harrington's and Barnes' recruits) and for being the 3rd head coach we had during my 4 years at Mason.
 
OP
Pablo

Pablo

Hall of Famer

HS girls’ hoops: Watch ex-St. Peter’s Girls star and current Bound Brook HS coach Jen Derevjanik celebrate 200th win​


View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1088362513037891


"Derevjanik, of course, is a former three-time Jaques Award winner who led St. Peter’s to several CHSAA Island and Archdiocesan championships. The former Eltingville resident went on to a standout career at NCAA Division 1 George Mason University before embarking on her WNBA career that included a 2007 championship with the Phoenix Mercury in her second-to-last season. She is arguably the Island’s most successful player of all-time."
 
Last edited:

gmutom

Hall of Famer
⭐️ Donor ⭐️
GOLD SPONSOR
GIVING DAY 2023
In UCF's 91-87 loss at #11 Kansas tonight, Keyshawn Hall had a game-high 34 points (9-19 FG's, 5-7 3 pt. FG's, & 11-11 FT's), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, & 1 steal in 39 minutes - https://ucfknights.com/boxscore/10623
That was a really good game. Kansas had no answer for Hall defensively.

There’s no doubt Hall is an elite player who deserved to cash in to play at a higher level. I just don’t appreciate how he handled it.
 

Verdad

Starter
⭐️ Donor ⭐️
That was a really good game. Kansas had no answer for Hall defensively.

There’s no doubt Hall is an elite player who deserved to cash in to play at a higher level. I just don’t appreciate how he handled it.
He did have the game losing turnover as well…

Xavier Johnson’s little brother was second leading scorer with 19.
 
OP
Pablo

Pablo

Hall of Famer
John Feinstein's column on Ernie Nestor - https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/31/ernie-nestor-dies-george-mason-wake-forest/

"Perhaps the best Nestor story comes from longtime athletic director Jack Kvancz, Nestor’s boss at George Mason. After the Patriots lost their last game of the 1993 season, Kvancz went to the locker room to tell Nestor he was going to make a coaching change.

'Ernie knew it was coming,' Kvancz said. 'He greeted me like a long-lost brother. When I told him, he said: "Thanks for giving me the opportunity. I’ll always love you for that." Then he suggested guys I should consider for the job.'

Nestor had a unique way of making people feel good — regardless of circumstances. A celebration of his life is tentatively scheduled for after ball season ends, so his colleagues can be there.

You can bet the house will be packed."
 
OP
Pablo

Pablo

Hall of Famer
Reece Craft is the son of Trish Halpin, George Mason's record holder in blocked shots in a career (236), a season (75), and a game (10); 1st Team All-CAA (1999), and CAA All-Defensive Team (1998).




Reece Craft

@reece_craft


Excited to announce my commitment to Swarthmore College. I appreciate everyone who has helped me along this journey. A special thank you to my parents, Coach Fisher, and Coach Manning for everything they have done for me. Grateful to Coach Kosmalski for the opportunity.



Image


3:45 PM · Oct 18, 2024
 
OP
Pablo

Pablo

Hall of Famer
 
Top