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911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

Katarina Benson — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:49:47 +0000

911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center Katarina Benson Wed, 10/21/2026 - 12:49

911�� celebrated a major milestone for the future of Athletics today with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Basketball and Academic Performance Center (BAPC), a transformational project that will elevate student-athlete development, enhance academic support services, and strengthen Patriots Basketball.

Located at the northwest corner of the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), the approximately 34,000-square-foot facility will serve as the future home of 911��'s men's and women's basketball programs while expanding academic resources that benefit more than 500 Patriots student-athletes across all 22 sports. The center is expected to be completed in spring 2028.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together university leadership, student-athletes, alumni, supporters, community partners, and donors to celebrate the next phase of a project that reflects 911��'s continued investment in competitive excellence and holistic student-athlete development.

“Today we're not just breaking ground on a building. We're actually strengthening a promise and we have been defined by our momentum,” President Gregory Washington said, noting that the idea of the BAPC originated 20 years ago, when the men's basketball team went to the Final Four. "We're going to build a championship culture in every sport, and we're going to invest in getting support like we're building champions."

Rendering of the BAPC exterior. Illustration by Perkins&Will

“Today represents an exciting step forward for 911�� Athletics and the future of our student-athletes," said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis. "The Basketball and Academic Performance Center is much more than a basketball facility. It is an investment in people, providing the resources, support systems, and environment that will allow our student-athletes to thrive academically, athletically, and personally. This project demonstrates our commitment to competing at the highest level while delivering a world-class student-athlete experience.”

Designed by Perkins&Will and constructed by Doyle Construction, the BAPC project includes a multi-story addition and renovation to the RAC, creating a modern facility designed to support student-athletes through every aspect of their collegiate experience. The center will feature two dedicated basketball practice courts, coaching staff suites, locker rooms, student-athlete lounges, strength and conditioning areas, athletic training space, and approximately 4,000 square feet of academic support space.

Marvin Lewis at the BAPC groundbreaking. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The Academic Services suite will serve student-athletes from all varsity programs, providing study areas, tutor rooms, collaborative learning spaces, and staff offices. The facility will replace the academic support trailers and create a centralized hub focused on academic achievement and student success.

As NOVA's Team, 911�� Athletics serves as a prominent gateway to the university, connecting students, alumni, supporters, businesses, and community leaders across Northern Virginia. The new center will strengthen that platform while creating opportunities for continued growth and engagement throughout the region.

The BAPC is a key philanthropic priority for 911�� Athletics. Naming opportunities and other investment options remain available throughout the project. To learn more about supporting the Basketball and Academic Performance Center, contact the Patriot Club.

"The momentum behind this project reflects the belief our alumni, donors, and supporters have in the future of 911�� Athletics," Lewis added. "We're grateful for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and look forward to welcoming future generations of Patriots into this facility."

For more information on the BAPC, contact the Patriot Club at masonpc@gmu.edu or visit the Future is Now BAPC Information Page.

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Patriot Profile: Maya Bayat

ckearney — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:51:48 +0000

Patriot Profile: Maya Bayat ckearney Tue, 10/13/2026 - 11:51

Maya Bayat

Year: Senior

Major: Business with a minor in visual art

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

It might be difficult to guess based on how much 911�� student-athlete Maya Bayat, BS Business ’26, fits into her day, but she says she’s grown a lot when it comes to time management. Bayat is in the Bachelor’s-to-Accelerated Master’s Program working on a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in finance with a minor in visual art. In addition to her classes, she trains and competes for the women’s tennis team, works as an intern at two galleries and an art nonprofit, and creates her own art.

Home Away from Home: For Bayat, the chance to play Division I tennis while staying close to her family in Arlington made 911�� the right choice. “Having my family’s support means a lot to me. They help me every step of the way,” she said. As someone with many interests and the determination to follow them, Bayat has taken advantage of the myriad opportunities she’s had a 911�� to build relationships with teammates and coaches, network in the Costello College of Business, and expand art connections through Mason Exhibitions. “I would say as a person—not necessarily that I'm more extroverted—but I'm more open to connecting with people,” she said.

Maya Bayat. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics

Leveling Up: Bayat, who plays both singles and doubles, started tennis later than most Division I players, but her enthusiasm for the game fueled her extra hours on the court. “We all love winning,” she said, but her training focuses on the process as much as the results: “I'm always trying to improve technically, mentally, physically.” She is also on the university’s Student–Athlete Advisory Committee, where representatives from all the Division I teams collaborate to improve the experience of current and future Patriots.

No Canvas, No Problem: “For as long as I can remember, I've been making art,” said Bayat. “I did my first structured art class when I was around five years old.” Painting in particular has provided an outlet. “[During COVID] I ran out of canvases because I was painting so much.” She had already transformed the mailbox, the driveway, and an old cabinet into artwork, so her parents said she could decorate some walls, and she discovered a new “love for murals.”

Finding Her Niche: This summer, Bayat interned at Mason Exhibitions Arlington and the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art in Arlington. Her Mason Exhibitions supervisor made sure she could apply her finance skills to real-world projects like grant applications, but she also learned about every aspect of running the gallery. Bayat helped with exhibit de-install; learned how to care for artwork; and contributed research, wall text, and press releases to the What Remains? exhibit, which features art by veterans and runs through November. The experience, she says, “makes you respect…art galleries, art institutions, museums so much more.”

The Art of the Deal: Bayat describes herself as entrepreneurial—she has sold her own paintings to fund tennis expenses. She is now interested in pursuing a career in the art value investment market, which combines her love of art and her interest in investing. As for tennis, she’s begun coaching recently and would like to play in professional tournaments. “I'll always have it in my life. . . I love tennis. I feel like it has its own art form too. It's a way of expressing yourself.”

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Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics

ckearney — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:47:31 +0000

Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics ckearney Wed, 10/07/2026 - 14:47

At the October 1 911�� Board of Visitors meeting, President Gregory Washington laid out his eight “bold bets” for managing the financial, technological, demographic, and political shocks affecting higher education and discussed a bridge period between the end of the current strategic plan and the implementation of a new Strategic Roadmap by April 2027.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The eight bold bets, also known as 911�� 2036, include further responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI); exploring three-year degrees; developing a College of Lifelong Education; building curricula with employers; forming a global digital and physical campus encompassing the Virginia campuses, Korea, and the Gulf region; establishing a new budget model that is less tuition-dependent; faculty shifting from lecturing to more mentoring and research; and establishing the Lab-to-Launch initiative to leverage the region’s Innovation Districts to create companies and jobs.

In its first full meeting of the 2026-27 academic year, the BOV also approved the university’s six-year operating plan.

“A record year bought us time and credibility,” Washington said. “It did not buy us a sustainable path forward. We are doing what we can to push against the tide. But it is a strong tide.”

Washington detailed the university’s solid financial footing amid flat or declining revenue streams and the financial effect of steeply declining international graduate enrollment brought on by federal regulations on foreign students. Undergraduate enrollment, philanthropy, and state support increased.

More details are available in the posted BOV materials or the recorded livestream.

Aurali Dade, interim vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact, reported that research proposals increased by 10.5% from FY25 to FY26 and proposal dollars increased by 13.3% during that span. Research expenditures, however, dropped 23.6% to $156 million.

In year-over-year comparisons of August FY26 and August FY27, research proposal dollars nearly doubled to $171.2 million and award dollars grew by 29.4% to $46.2 million. Research expenditures dropped 17.4% to $32.6 million

“911��’s research enterprise remains strong and competitive with faculty pursuing larger, more ambitious projects and positioning the university for continued growth in the years ahead despite the tough external environment,” Dade said.

“Our faculty are to be commended,” Washington said. “The story that you hear nationally is discouraging in terms of going out and seeking awards and working on proposals. We have actually continued to be aggressive and write more proposals and have some success in terms of awards. All of that, in my opinion, shows a cohort that is dedicated to the profession and worthy of our support.”

Dade also discussed the seven Grand Challenge Initiative catalyst awards as the university enters the second year of the GCI. Campus community members and potential partners are invited to register for the Grand Challenge Lightning Talks and Matchmaking Mixer on November 10.

Lauren Bird, associate vice president for development, reported that the Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign has surpassed $688 million toward its $1 billion goal.

“Momentum is being driven by growing confidence from donors, alumni, corporate partners and the broader community,” Bird said. “These investments are helping accelerate our strategic opportunities and strengthen our impact across the commonwealth and beyond.”

College of Science Dean Cody Edwards gave a presentation on the strategic opportunities that quantum technology offers through the Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) and a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant that establishes the Virginia Quantum Hub based at the university, part of 911��’s charge to connect talent, research, infrastructure, partners and capital into a quantum ecosystem.

Last month the university announced a partnership with Oxford-based TreQ and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) to bring a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia, the first in the state and the National Capital Region.

Washington and QSEC Executive Director Patrick Vora took part in the Washington Post’s “Building America: Quantum Innovation” program, another recent 911�� quantum highlight. In addition, the university this fall launched the state’s first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering.

“The question is no longer whether Mason should be in quantum,” said Edwards, a keynote at the recent Quantum World Congress. “The question is how we turn that advantage that we've created into something that is durable, distinctive, and something that is nationally consequential. The institutions and regions that lead …will be the ones that build an ecosystem around all of the existing components.”

Edwards said Virginia has a combination of assets that bolsters its potential in quantum—strong research universities, proximity to numerous federal agencies, and burgeoning technology corridors.

“When you look at the states that are currently leading an investment in quantum, most of those states are attempting to replicate pieces of what already exists in the DMV,” Edwards said.

The Access to Excellence podcast with President Washington, Vora, and TreQ CEO and Founder Mandy Birch will be available Oct. 12.

At the Academic Affairs Committee meeting on September 16, Provost and Executive Vice President Marion Underwood reported that the university conferred 10,182 degrees during the 2025-26 academic year, 82% to Virginia residents, and she added that 911�� had again earned a Silver ranking as a Military Friendly® School for the 2026-27 academic year.

David Burge, senior vice president for enrollment and student achievement, citing enrollment figures as of September 3, said that the university has an undergraduate enrollment of 29,966, graduate enrollment of 9,576, and 710 law students for a total of 40,252 students, including a 911�� record for new transfer student enrollment (3,212). Thirty percent of the incoming class (1,283) enrolled via direct admissions. Official and final enrollment numbers will be available later in the fall. Burge also mentioned the university’s national search for a dean of admissions. He is serving in that role in an interim capacity. He said the goal is to fill the position by the end of the calendar year.

Amarda Shehu, vice president and chief AI officer, presented on the proposed AI fluency designation that would integrate AI competencies into undergraduate academic programs across disciplines to best prepare 911�� graduates for the workforce.

Women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, entering her sixth season, addressed the Athletics Committee meeting on September 16, sharing insights on the turnaround of the program. She inherited a team that had gone winless in the Atlantic 10 Conference the previous year and has since led the Patriots to a 99-58 record and three postseason berths.

The Patriots won the A10 tournament title in 2024-25, posting a school-record 27 wins and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. The team was A10 regular season champs in 2025-26.

“We raised expectations, and belief became results,” Blair-Lewis told the board. “I truly believe we can redefine what is possible. With the right culture and the right people and proper financial support we do not have to set limitations because of how we are classified. We can recruit, train, develop, and win at a high level.”

She added that the Basketball Academic Performance Center groundbreaking on October 20 represents a commitment to 911�� basketball.

“Facilities do not win games by themselves,” Blair-Lewis said. "But they do help create an environment where winning can be sustained.”

Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, reported that 911�� athletes achieved a school-record 3.45 collective GPA during the spring season and a 90% graduation rate. Thirteen programs finished in the top half of the conference.

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Patriot Profile: Tori Bates

Katarina Benson — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:26:33 +0000

Patriot Profile: Tori Bates Katarina Benson Thu, 10/01/2026 - 14:26

Patriot Profile: Tori Bates

Year: Senior 

Major: Special Education

Hometown: Ada, Michigan

911�� student and lacrosse goalkeeper Tori Bates couldn’t have known that a decision she made as a teenager about how to spend the summer would end up defining her life’s purpose. For Bates, that moment came when she was looking for a meaningful way to spend her time and began volunteering at a therapeutic center for children ages 1-14 with developmental disabilities. What began as a summer activity sparked a passion for helping others. “I just absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. “It was just so much fun and so rewarding to see how much influence I had in their progress in just a couple of months.”

Tori Bates. Photo by Rafael Suanes/911�� Athletics

Lending a Hand: Bates volunteered in a speech and occupational therapy program, serving as both a peer and role model. She found particular joy in seeing children build their communication skills. For Bates, those moments represented something much bigger: helping children gain another way to express who they were and what they needed. At an end-of-camp ice cream party, for example, Bates asked a girl who had had trouble verbalizing her needs what flavor she wanted. When the ice cream came out too cold, the girl handed it back with a single word: "cold." It was the first time she had verbally advocated for herself. “It was a momentous moment,” Bates said.

Signs Point to 911��: That same instinct to connect with and help others carried over to learning American Sign Language, which the aspiring special education teacher took as her foreign language all four years of high school. Bates is sharpening those skills at 911�� with a ASL minor, and the university’s proximity to the Washington, D.C., area deaf community means she has plenty of opportunities to use the skills.

Alexandra Raines, special education assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development, said Bates brings that same level of compassion, thoughtfulness, and dedication to the classroom. “Tori is a hardworking and supportive classmate who consistently contributes meaningful ideas and makes those around her better,” Raines said. “I have no doubt she will make a lasting and positive impact on the students and families she serves!”

Between the Pipes: As a four-year varsity lacrosse player, three-time All-Conference selection, and Second Team All-State honoree at Forest Hills Central High School, Bates set Michigan state records in saves in a single game and in a single season. On the field for the Patriots, she is vocal and calm under pressure, always steadying the ship with her sense of humor. "When we’re relaxed and enjoying ourselves, that's when we have the best chemistry, and we play better," she said.

Bates (center) with her teammates. Photo by 911�� Athletics

“Tori serves as a strong example of how the simple act of showing up – especially on the days when it feels difficult – can lead to meaningful growth over time,” said Kara Mupo, 911��’s women’s lacrosse head coach.

The Student-Athlete Balance: A two-time Provost Scholar, Bates carries a 3.9 GPA and was recently among the program-record 12 Patriots named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division I Academic Honor Roll. Bates also serves as vice president on 911��’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and works part time as an administrative assistant with the 911�� Police Department, where she assists with research, including background checks. In her downtime, Bates enjoys scrapbooking, crafting, or curling up with a good book and her 12-year-old cat, Chanel.

“Tori is a vital part of our team whose dedication to what she does is readily apparent,” said Assistant Chief Michael F. Lighthiser, Mason Police. “She's been a great addition to the department.”

Parental Guidance Accepted: Initially drawn to occupational and speech therapy, Bates said it was her mother who suggested special education might be a natural fit. She also credits her parents for modeling what it looks like to work hard, show up, and stay committed. "They always say: Try your best," she said. "It didn't matter if I got a B, as long as they saw the effort. They showed me that you always show up to the commitments you've made." She’s taken the lesson and made it practical. “It’s really all about planning,” she said. “But when you’re so passionate about so many things, you make the time.”

Bates working with a child in occupational therapy. Photo provided

Next Up: Bates isn’t slowing down after graduation. She’s enrolled in 911��’s Bachelor's to Accelerated Master’s Degree program in Adaptive Curriculum for grades K-12. She hopes to one day teach for the Department of War Education Activity, which operates schools in the United States and overseas, including, Japan, Germany, and Guam. She's also passionate about educational policy and would love to play a role in updating the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Wherever her classroom is, she already knows what she wants it to feel like. "I want my students to feel like it's their space too," she said. "I want to celebrate differences. Everyone has a right to learn, feel safe, and be seen. I want learning to be fun."

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Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr.

sbrown79 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:05:19 +0000

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr. sbrown79 Fri, 08/28/2026 - 17:05

Patriot Profile: Michael Marcus Jr.

Year: Junior

Major: Computer science

Hometown Indian Trial, North Carolina

Growing up, Michael Marcus Jr.’s family had an important rule: All the children would take part in both a sport and some form of art. For Marcus, that meant basketball and music. A starting forward on 911��’s men’s basketball team, Marcus has spent years refining his game on the court while also teaching himself to play the piano in his free time.

Becoming a Patriot: This summer, Marcus transferred to 911�� from Appalachian State ahead of his junior year. While entering the transfer portal can be overwhelming, he says the right people helped guide him through the process. The decision came down to finding the right fit both athletically and academically. “Fortunately, I had a formative team around me that brought me to Coach Tony Skinn and 911��,” he said.

Playing It Forward: Although Marcus has always been a forward, he understands that basketball demands flexibility. “Versatility is the third most important ability behind availability and coachability,” he said. “Your size, who you can guard, and [the] skillset you have dictates the positions that you will play on the floor.”

Student-athlete and self-taught pianist, Michael Marcus, Jr. plays the piano in 911��'s Center for the Arts. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

Being a Team Player: Marcus’s basketball mindset is shaped by years of competitive experience. As a high school student, he helped lead his team to a runner-up finish at the North Carolina 4A state championship. He also won an Elite Youth Basketball League 15 and Under Championship during his Amateur Athletic Union career on the Nike Circuit. “That experience emphasized to me how important each team member’s role is, operating as one in order to win the game,” he said.

Finding His Sound: While basketball may take center stage, music has remained a meaningful outlet in Marcus’s life. “Since the fifth grade, I tried multiple instruments that just didn’t work for me before my father encouraged me to try piano.” Marcus taught himself piano by matching the notes he saw on screen with those on the keyboard. He also began studying basic music theory. “I figured out my own way of breaking the piano down and then building it back up into music,” he said.

Tuning Out and Tuning In: Whether on the court or at the piano, Marcus relies on a similar approach when the pressure builds. Every athlete feels overwhelmed at times, he said. The difference is how quickly they can reset. “I remind myself of the player that I am because of how I work, and my confidence is rooted in that.” He uses a similar approach when performing his music. “I learned to tune out the crowd playing in a game by being present and focusing on what I am doing, and now I do the same with music,” he said.

Creating a Musical Dialogue: While Marcus’s musical interests and influences are diverse, all lean toward a rich piano style. “[Jazz pianist] Art Tatum is someone whose left hand I’ve tried to mimic, as well as the walking bassline.” Marcus is also a fan of George Winston, especially his version of “Carol of the Bells,” and self-taught Japanese musician Daigo Hanada, who is also a former basketball player. As a self-taught musician, he’s had to find ways to measure his progress without formal instruction. For him, playing the piano feels less like a performance and more like an exchange. “I picture me and the piano having a conversation and as I’m playing the chord patterns, melodies, and rhythms—that’s my way of speaking to the piano. The sounds that come back as a result is the piano responding to me, and we just go back and forth.”

More than One Dimension: For Marcus, basketball and music aren’t competing passions—they sharpen one another. One teaches discipline, awareness, and adaptability. The other offers creativity and expression. Together, they reflect the balance he’s been building since childhood—and the kind of student-athlete he hopes to be at 911��.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt

Katarina Benson — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt Katarina Benson Tue, 08/11/2026 - 11:22

Rebekah Schmidt

Job: Head Athletic Trainer, Intercollegiate Athletics

There’s a hush that often falls over a sports crowd when gameplay stops and a lone figure runs out to tend to a fallen player. No matter the injury, 911��’s student-athletes are in good hands with Rebekah Schmidt. She leads a team of 10 athletic trainers for 911��’s 22 total Intercollegiate Athletics sports teams and is the trainer for the men’s basketball team. The position entails much more than ensuring players can play a good game. “We are their primary contact for all of their health needs while they’re here at 911��.”

Bad Encounter Gone Good: When most people talk about an experience that influenced their professional path, it’s usually a positive one—but Schmidt’s story is different. After sustaining an injury as a high school soccer player, she went to her school’s athletic trainer for help. “He told me that I was just being a weak girl, that I was fine, and to ‘suck it up.’” Five hip surgeries later, she realized how wrong that trainer was. “I’ve since had many great athletic trainers in my life, but that one really made me want to be a better professional.”

Behind the Scenes: Schmidt works closely with 911��'s strength and conditioning and sports performance staff to develop intensive and customized treatments for each individual men’s basketball player, including adjusting their weights during workouts, prescribing extra stretching, taping joints, and so much more. During practices, Schmidt said, “I’m monitoring, looking at their mechanics—is someone limping when they weren’t yesterday? Is someone holding a knee who wasn’t before?” The work continues with post-treatments after practice and extensive documentation. “We want to make sure that we're showing progression, which is critical in any medical profession.”

Rebekah Schmidt is in her 13th year at 911�� Athletics. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Changing Times: While the game has very much stayed the same, treatment technologies have advanced in ways that allow Schmidt to do even more. She mentions wearable devices that measure “the physical load of a practice, how long they’re running, how much intensity…all of that cumulative stress on the body is the load.” 911�� is also one of the few universities to have Catapult ClearSky, an athlete tracking system that captures multiple data points. Schmidt and the strength and conditioning team then use that information to collaboratively create personalized treatment and workout plans for each player. “Having them overcoming injury and seeing them on the court for the first time…shooting the shot that they weren't able to do a couple months ago—that's just so rewarding because it's seeing all that hard work that we did together come to a great resolution.”

A Different Kind of Club: Collegiate athletics can be a male-dominated career field, but Schmidt saw that 911�� was different. "You don't always see females in leadership roles--but 911�� had that." She cites former Deputy Athletic Director Debi Corbatto, BS Marketing '86, MS Exercise Science, Fitness, and Health Promotion '03, PhD Education '18, a 911�� alumna who served as an athletic trainer during the Patriots’ legendary Final Four run, as a pioneer and mentor, as well as Linda Pullen, 911��’s director of sports medicine. “The best thing about working here at 911�� is the community, the relationships, being able to see and help develop student-athletes.” Now in her 13th year at 911��, Schmidt serves as a mentor herself, specifically for students in the College of Education and Human Development’s athletic training master’s program.

Advice for the Rest of Us: Not everyone can play at an elite level, but Schmidt has some universal advice: “Number one thing is making sure that you’re doing some kind of weight training…kind of loading the muscles at some point to make sure you’re preventing injuries.” And for younger athletes, she encourages a bit of diversification. “The best athletes that really develop are ones that do a multitude of sports [and] learn different ways to move their body.”

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Patriot Profile: Mia Arevalo-Delcid

Katarina Benson — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:06:50 +0000

Patriot Profile: Mia Arevalo-Delcid Katarina Benson Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:06

When the call-up to El Salvador's Senior National Team finally came through, Mia Arevalo-Delcid didn't need a moment to let it sink in. She already knew exactly what it meant. "That's the big leagues right there," said the 911�� women's soccer standout. "It's all eyes in the country on you. It's going to be amazing.”

Mia Arevalo-Delcid. Photo by Rafael Suanes/911�� Athletics.

Home and Away: Arevalo-Delcid, a Manassas, Virginia, native and dual citizen of the United States and El Salvador, has been representing El Salvador on the pitch since earning her first call-up to the Salvadorian U20 National Team in 2022. That experience gave her a taste of something she hadn’t expected: the electricity of playing in front of family. "Family means everything to me," she said. "Everyone was so excited for me. We were in the newspaper, and my family bought like 50 papers. Representing my country was one of the best moments of my life."

Ready for the Big League: This summer, she did it again—only on a much bigger stage. She traveled south in early June to train with El Salvador’s top players for several weeks before a series of friendly competitions against neighboring countries. "I love playing for my family's home country," she said. "It's a way to honor my heritage."

“It's really pretty amazing,” said Aaron Brunner, 911�� women’s soccer head coach. "It's such a tremendous honor to represent your country. But I'm not surprised because Mia is so amazing."

Homegrown: The road to San Salvador ran through some familiar Northern Virginia zip codes first. Arevalo-Delcid was a four-year letterwinner and team captain at Colgan Senior High School in Manassas, earning All-District First Team, All-Region, and Honorable Mention for the Washington Post’s All-Met honors. She also starred in club soccer with the Virginia Development Academy (VDA), one of the top programs in the region, earning ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team honors in her junior year and a ranking of No. 16 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region by Top Drawer Soccer. She went on to James Madison University before transferring to 911�� in spring 2025. The decision was personal. "I wanted to be closer to home," Arevalo Delcid said, "and I believed in what Coach Brunner was building here."

A Team Player: Arevalo-Delcid quickly established herself as not only one of the team’s best players, but as one of its leaders. A natural attacking midfielder, she willingly shifted to a more defensive role to fill a need for the Patriots—and still managed to contribute a goal and two assists in her first season. “She had a great year for us and was always willing to do whatever the team needed of her,” said Brunner. “She’s grown a lot, she's learned a lot, and her confidence is high.”

This spring, Arevalo-Delcid signed with Loudoun United's semi-pro league. Photo by 911�� Athletics.

Turning Pro: The national team call-up is just one line on a resume that's been filling up fast. This spring, Arevalo-Delcid signed with Loudoun United in the USL W semi-pro league and landed an NIL deal with Tinycup Coffee, a 911�� alumni-owned company.

"A dynamic and tireless presence in the midfield," Loudoun United Head Coach Christian Cziommer said at signing. "Known for her relentless work rate and creative flair, she brings significant high-level experience to our roster."

Beyond the Pitch: When she's not training or playing, Arevalo-Delcid—a civil engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computing—works as a substitute teacher at Woodbridge High School, tutoring Latino students and helping them prepare for AP exams, and holds down a part-time job at a Starbucks near campus. "Yes, it's a lot," she said. "But you have to work for anything worth having."

Eyes on the Future: Arevalo-Delcid turned 21 in June, right around the time she boarded a plane for El Salvador. She's already thinking about what comes next and a professional soccer career is squarely in her sights. "I want to try," she said. "I want to see whatever opportunity I can get. Going to El Salvador has definitely been a game changer for me."

Brunner likes her chances. "She's going to be ready," he said, "and I think she's going to do awesome."

Northwest Federal Credit Union and 911�� Athletics expand partnership to advance student financial wellness on and off the court

Katarina Benson — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:07:58 +0000

Northwest Federal Credit Union and 911�� Athletics expand partnership to advance student financial wellness on and off the court Katarina Benson Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:07

911�� Athletics and Northwest Federal Credit Union announced an expanded partnership that connects student-athletes with financial education, simple banking tools, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities designed to support their success on campus, in the community, and after they graduate.

This collaboration was formally introduced at 911��'s inaugural Basketball Signing Day event. More than 200 fans, supporters, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the introduction of the 2026-27 men's and women's basketball teams.

Student-athletes at Basketball Signing Day. Photo by 911�� Athletics

As the Official Credit Union and Financial Wellness Partner for 911�� Athletics, Northwest is expanding its support beyond traditional sponsorship by helping student-athletes build financial confidence at a time when NIL earnings, personal branding, and early career decisions are becoming a big part of the college athletics experience. Participating student-athletes will open Northwest accounts, receive financial education and training, and serve as ambassadors promoting financial literacy across campus and throughout the Northern Virginia community.

"This expanded partnership marks an exciting step forward in how we support student-athletes during a pivotal moment in their journey," said Jeff Bentley, president and CEO at Northwest Federal Credit Union. "By combining these new NIL opportunities with financial education, we are helping equip them with the tools to make informed decisions today and build lasting success beyond the game. These student-athletes are inspiring the next generation, and Northwest is grateful to be part of making an impact in the community."

"Opportunities like this give our players experience in pursuing their sports career while also learning the practical skills to balance life," said Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, men's basketball head coach at 911��. "Having access to financial education, professional development, and community connections helps maximize their time here at 911�� and set them up for the next chapter. Northwest has been an excellent partner to make that a reality for our teams."

Women's basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis added, "This is about developing the whole person. Even the term “student-athlete” represents our hope for each of these young people. We want their time with us to have been a season of life where they were fully supported to learn the most they can and be the best they can be. Financial education and life management resources are a critical part of that vision of helping our student-athletes build strong futures."

Basketball Signing Day is expected to become an annual tradition and serves as the first of several collaborative initiatives planned between 911�� Athletics and Northwest throughout the upcoming year.

Through this partnership, the credit union also became the first member of the "Starting 5" sponsors of 911�� Athletics' broader corporate partnership initiative, NOVA's Team. The platform connects organizations committed to building a stronger connection between student-athletes, businesses, and communities across Northern Virginia.

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Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32

ckearney — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:27:23 +0000

Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32 ckearney Mon, 06/15/2026 - 12:27

911�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, securing her leadership of the Patriots through the 2031-32 season.

Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Photo by 911�� Athletics

Blair-Lewis has elevated the 911�� women’s basketball program into one of the premier programs in the Atlantic 10 during her five-year tenure, highlighted by the program’s first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship, NCAA Tournament appearance, and regular-season conference title.

“Vanessa Blair-Lewis has delivered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, while building a culture rooted in purpose, passion, and the development of young women on and off the court,” said Lewis. “Her impact goes far beyond wins and championships—she has united our community and redefined what’s possible at 911��, and we’re proud to extend her leadership into the future.”

In 2025-26, Blair-Lewis guided the Patriots to another historic campaign, leading 911�� to its first regular-season championship in program history and a program-record 16 conference victories. The Patriots also hosted a postseason game for just the third time ever, while Blair-Lewis also earned the 400th victory of her head coaching career. 911�� women’s basketball also saw its highest attended home game ever, packing EagleBank Arena with 4,123 fans vs. Dayton on December 31, 2025.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Gregory Washington and Athletic Director Marvin Lewis for their trust and belief in our vision,” said Blair-Lewis. “This extension is not just about me—it reflects the hard work, dedication, and culture we have built together. We have achieved historic milestones, but I truly believe our best days are still ahead. We are redefining what's possible at the mid-major level, here at 911��.”

The 2024-25 season marked a breakthrough year for the Patriots under Blair-Lewis, as 911�� captured its first Atlantic 10 Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The team finished with a school-record 27 victories, including the program’s first-ever 11-1 start and back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time. 911�� also achieved its highest-ever NET ranking at No. 40.

Blair-Lewis has engineered one of the nation’s most impressive program turnarounds since arriving in Fairfax in 2021. After inheriting a team that won just three games in 2020-21, she tripled the Patriots’ win total in her first season and snapped a 24-game conference losing streak. In 2022-23, 911�� recorded its first winning season since 2017-18 and advanced to the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. The following season, the Patriots posted 23 wins and earned a postseason berth to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament before breaking through with a championship campaign in 2024-25.

During her tenure at 911��, Blair-Lewis has coached numerous Atlantic 10 award winners and all-conference selections, including back-to-back Most Improved Players, the league’s Rookie of the Year, multiple All-Conference performers, and All-Defensive Team honorees.

She has also earned national recognition, including consecutive selections as a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year award by Her Hoop Stats and recognition as the 2024-25 VaSID Coach of the Year.

Prior to 911��, Blair-Lewis spent 13 seasons at Bethune-Cookman, where she led the Wildcats to four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles, a MEAC Tournament championship, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. She is a four-time MEAC Coach of the Year and has more than 400 career victories across 27 seasons as a head coach.

“I am excited to continue leading this program, developing exceptional young women and making the 911�� community proud,” said Blair-Lewis. “The future is bright, and we're just getting started.”

With this extension, 911�� reaffirms its commitment to the continued growth and national prominence of the women’s basketball program under Blair-Lewis’ leadership.

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Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season

ckearney — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:06:20 +0000

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season ckearney Thu, 06/11/2026 - 13:06

911�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a two-year contract extension for men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, through the 2031-32 season.

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. Photo by 911�� Athletics

The 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and architect of 911��'s first A-10 championship team, Skinn has put together the best start to a coaching career in school history and cemented himself as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

He's set new program bests for overall wins (70), league wins (35), overall winning percentage (.693) and league winning percentage (.648) for a Patriot coach over his first three campaigns. What's more, Skinn's 69.3 overall winning percentage ranks 17th nationally among current Division I head coaches with at least 3 seasons at the helm.

"Tony represents everything we value in 911�� men's basketball and in our broader athletics program," said Lewis. "In just three seasons, he has elevated our competitive standard, delivered sustained success on the court, and built a culture rooted in accountability, player development, and integrity. This extension reflects our confidence in Tony's vision, his leadership, and his commitment to continuing to position 911�� as a nationally respected program. We're excited about what lies ahead for Patriot basketball under his direction."

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. The fastest bench boss to 50 wins in program annals, Skinn has guided the Patriots to two consecutive NIT appearances, marking the first time since 2007-09 the program has reached back-to-back postseasons (NCAA or NIT). 911�� is one of just three A-10 programs during Skinn's tenure to finish in the NET top-100 all three seasons.

"This extension is a testament to what our staff and players have built together while bringing the vision of Patriot Pressure to life," Skinn said. "We've set a strong foundation over these past three years and will continue to elevate our collective standard. I'm grateful to our fans and administration who have invested in this program and understand what it takes to compete at the national level. The best is yet to come."

Tony Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Photo by 911�� Athletics

As head coach, Skinn has mentored five All-A-10 selections, four NABC All-District picks and the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Skinn is a two-time finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, given annually to the nation's top minority head coach.

In 2025-26, he guided the Patriots to the program's best-ever overall (18-1) and A-10 (6-0) starts. Team 60 became the fastest in school history to reach 20 victories (22), shattering the previous mark of 25. Despite returning just 3% of the previous season's scoring output and losing Preseason All-A-10 First Team selection Brayden O'Connor to a season-ending injury in the first game of the campaign, the men’s team reached 23 overall victories and received a berth in the NIT. 911�� earned home wins over three NCAA Tournament Teams (#25/24 Saint Louis, VCU, Penn) and the Patriots were the only school in the A-10 to defeat the top-3 programs in the league standings. The 29-point win over the Billikens marked the 14th-largest margin of victory by an unranked team over a ranked program since the AP poll began in 1949.

After the 2024-25 season, Skinn was named a national finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the Division I head coach who wins with integrity both on and off the court. He also garnered VaSID Virginia Coach of the Year accolades at the conclusion of the Patriots' historic season.

911��'s elite Patriot Pressure defense ranked in the top-25 nationally in 2024-25 and the Patriots ranked third in the country in field goal defense. The team's cumulative field goal defense marked a 911�� school record while its 3-point defense was second best all time.

Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Senior Jared Billups became 911��'s first conference Defensive Player of the Year since 2001 and was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award in 2025, given to the nation's top defensive player. Jalen Haynes earned NABC All-District First Team honors in 2024-25 and was just the second All-A-10 First Team pick in school history. Both Kory Mincy and Riley Allenspach garnered All-A-10 Second Team honors in 2025-26. With Haynes and Darius Maddox also being named All-A-10 in 2024-25, it marked the first time since 2008-09 the Patriots had multiple non-conference selections in back-to-back seasons.

911�� Athletics

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