Author: Jennifer De La Rosa

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours of Operation

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, the recreational facility will have the following hours:

Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC)

Wednesday, November 25 – 6a-7p
Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
Friday, November 27 – resume normal facility operating hours

Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC)

Wednesday, November 25 – 6a-7p
Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
Friday, November 27 – 12p-8p
Saturday, November 28 – 12p-8p
Sunday, November 29 – resume normal facility operating hours

Skyline Fitness Center

Wednesday, November 25 – CLOSED
Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
Friday, November 27 – CLOSED
Saturday, November 28 – CLOSED
Sunday, November 29 – 12p-midnight
Monday, November 30 – resume normal facility operating hours

Bernie Sanders at the RAC

DEM 2016 Sanders

Bernie Sanders Town Hall, Fairfax Campus – October 28

On Wednesday, October 28, Senator Bernie Sanders will conduct a town hall style meeting with Mason students at 7 p.m. at the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC). He will focus on issues important to students, including college affordability, campaign finance reform, climate change, criminal justice reform, and income and wealth inequality.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are required and will be distributed at no charge Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Center for the Arts lobby.

Parking for the event is in Lots K and J. There are several parking and traffic impacts associated with the event:

Patriots Village (PV) Lot will close Tuesday, October 27 at 11 p.m. until after the event Wednesday night.
Mason Pond Drive, between the traffic circle and Global Way by the Mason Global Center, will close starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28 until after the event.
The Mason Global Center, RAC, and Mason Pond Drive/Mason Hall shuttle stops will close starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday for the remainder of the evening.
The intersection of Banister Creek Court and Campus Drive (in front of the RAC) will be coned off and restricted to handicap parking only by police cadets beginning at 4 p.m.

For questions regarding parking impacts, contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828.

For questions regarding the event, visit the campaign website.

For the Love of the Game : Men’s Club Rugby

Looking back at 1965, Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire didn’t know that they would be starting the first intercollegiate sport at George Mason University – Men’s Rugby. When asked how it all began, Stafford took us on a trip down memory lane and explained that he was simply walking through the Ordinary (the student lounge in 1965) when he came across a sign that read: “Call this number if interested in playing rugby”. He and Wiltshire were curious and found themselves playing with the Washington Rugby Club. After the game, they both agreed that they were hooked. Stafford went far enough to say, “Rugby became an addiction”. Immediately, they began gathering players to create a team. Stafford and Wiltshire give credit to Neb Turner, the Dean of Students at the time, who helped recruit Mason students to play. “I have to give credit to Neb Turner” Wiltshire said; Turner played rugby at the University of Virginia and wanted a team at Mason. Stafford said that Turner would interview students and then “would pick the athletic guys and point them our way”. Turner was a big help to the two co-founders, adding to their success in recruiting students for the team. When they needed players, they went into the Ordinary, asked if anyone wanted to learn how to play and students would be willing to check it out. When asked about the recruiting process, Wiltshire replied with a chuckle. Despite being praised as the founders of the oldest intercollegiate sport in school history, Stafford and Wiltshire are humble men who give much credit to the people around them.

It has been 50 years since Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire started GMU’s Men’s Club Rugby team. This past weekend, all of the team’s alumni were invited to celebrate their 50th season as a club sport. Former players from every decade came out to the West Campus fields to watch the George Mason Patriots take on the John Hopkins Blue Jays. It was a celebration for both the alumni and current rugby team. The alumni celebrated their past work and the current players celebrated beating John Hopkins by a score of 36-24. Rick Stafford was asked about the team’s play and said, “ they have some good instincts and are clearly led by a quality coaching staff”; George Wiltshire added, “Mason was good at getting rid of the ball just like they were 50 years ago.” To end the day, Stafford and Wiltshire were asked if they ever play rugby nowadays. Both men chuckled at the thought with one of them saying, “Twenty-two years is enough.” At the end of the day, the alumni event was a great success – full of laughs, smiles, shared memories, and a winning team. Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire are a reminder to us all for why we play sports. It is not for the fame, it is not for the glory, and it is not to beat up your friends or opponents. We play, simply, for the love of the game.

Intramural Basketball Is Here

This fall, we are bringing back intramural basketball but with a twist! This time around we are doing three versus three basketball. Intramural Basketball is a great way to get your daily dose of exercise in a way that will both burn calories and build muscle. It is a fast moving sport involving a series of various movements like running, jumping, shooting, defending and more. Through all of these movements, a person can burn around 700 calories by just playing one hour of basketball. That’s an hour that will fly by because you are having fun with friends while working out. Numerous league options are available for all skill levels. Are you a part of Greek life and want to compete against your fellow fraternities? Join the Fraternity league

made just for you. Not in a fraternity but want to add a competitive attitude to your game? Sign up for one of our men or women’s competitive leagues. We even have a non-competitive league if you are looking to try basketball for the first time or you just want to have fun playing the game with friends. To get things started, go on to imleagues.com using your Mason information and sign up! You can pick the league you want, create a team or join a team; the game schedules are varied but posted under the league descriptions! You can have up to four players on your team and each game will be played for 40 minutes, or when one team reaches 21 points. The best part of it all, you will be having fun while working out and even have a chance at winning our Intramural Champion t-shirts!

AFC Locker Room Closures

AFC Locker Room Closures – September 28 and 29

The AFC men’s and women’s general locker rooms will be closed next week due to maintenance items. The women’s locker room will be closed on Monday, September 28 from 6a-2p and the men’s locker room will be closed on Tuesday, September 29 from 6a-2p.

The family changing room will be the designated locker room for the women on Monday, September 28 and will be designated locker room for the men on Tuesday, September 29. We ask that patrons with reserved lockers please remove your items no later than the day before the closure as there will be no access to the closed locker rooms during the maintenance period.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

3 Events You Don’t Want to Miss at Welcome Week

TRAFFIC ALERT

Parking and Traffic Alert: Housing Move-In, August 27-30

Between August 27-August 30 several parking and traffic closures will impact the Fairfax Campus to accommodate the move-in of over 6000 residential students. The move-in process is coordinated by the Office of Housing and Residence Life, University Police, Parking & Transportation Services, Environmental Health & Safety, and other key units to make the move-in process, including over 2200 freshmen living on-campus, as efficient as possible. Making this move-in process work well is a university priority. Your patience and cooperation is appreciated.

Parking Closures and Impacts

Parking Lot C will be completely closed from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 27.

Rappahannock River Parking Deck-General Permit Area Levels 1-3 (including faculty/staff general area on level 3) will be closed to all but move-in traffic only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 27. Reserved permit holders will be allowed in the deck to park on reserved levels 3-4 on August 27 though it is recommended to avoid parking in the Rappahannock River Parking Deck during this time as traffic will be extremely heavy approaching and within the deck. General faculty/staff permit holders will be allowed to park ON THE ROOF ONLY on Thursday, August 27. Between August 27-30 the only access to the reserved levels will be the University Drive entrance on level 2. The reserved level gates will be open to accommodate families and students moving in to the residence halls.

Parking Lot I will be closed to all but move-in traffic from 10 p.m. on Friday, August 28 until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. This closure includes the faculty/staff spaces, 30 minute spaces, and service/repair spaces.

Lot R is closed to all but move-in traffic from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26 until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 29.

The Mason Pond Parking Deck will be used for those moving into the Student Apartments. While the visitor and permit sections will remain open, expect heavy traffic in and around the deck. Aquia Creek Lane will be closed to all but move-in traffic from 6 a.m.to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 29.

The short-term parking lot near Presidents Park off Shenandoah River Lane will be closed from 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

The short-term parking lot beside Eastern Shore residence hall will only be available to move-in traffic with disabled permits from 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

Traffic Closures and Impacts

The Nottoway River Lane entrance to campus at Braddock Road will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 27.

The Roanoke River Road entrance will be open to traffic. However, those moving into the Shenandoah Neighborhood (Presidents Park) are directed to use this entrance. Thus, traffic will be very busy at Roanoke River Road. It is recommended to use the entrances at Mason Pond Drive off of Ox Road/Route 123, Shenandoah River Lane off of Roberts Road, and Campus Drive off Braddock Road.

Patriot Circle in front of the Rappahannock River Parking Deck will be closed to all traffic from 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 30. Access to the visitor section of the deck will be available.

Chesapeake River Lane will be closed to all traffic except commercial deliveries from 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

Rivanna River Lane will be closed to all but service and delivery vehicles from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 27 and from 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 29 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

Aquia Creek Lane will be closed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 to all but move-in, service, and disabled vehicles. The short-term parking around SUB I will only be available for move-in vehicles.

For questions about parking and traffic during housing move-in, email [email protected]. Further updates may be provided on Twitter @MasonParking. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we help start this new academic year and welcome back our resident students, especially our freshmen and their families who are now part of the Mason Family.