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George �鶹��Ƶ’s Marvin Lewis serves on NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee as March Madness nears

Katarina Benson — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:25:57 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ’s Marvin Lewis serves on NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee as March Madness nears Katarina Benson Wed, 03/11/2026 - 19:25

Marvin Lewis knows a little something about the anxiety that comes with waiting for your team’s name to be called on Selection Sunday, and the euphoria that follows when that dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament becomes a reality.

Lewis, �鶹��Ƶ’s assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, is now in his inaugural season among those charged with making it happen for those lucky few as part of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee.

Lewis, who played in two NCAA Tournaments as a standout player at Georgia Tech and helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 NCAA Championship game, called his addition to the selection committee last April as the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) representative “a huge honor.”

Lewis was chosen for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“As a kid, I always dreamed of playing in the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “Then to have the experience at Georgia Tech to actually play in it, and then make it to the final game was special. But I feel like this is now a full-circle moment—with me now being an administrator helping to decide who’s in it. That’s probably the coolest thing for me. It’s pretty special.”

Lewis, however, won’t have much time to wax nostalgic because Selection Sunday is fast approaching on March 15, and there are scores of basketball games for him to watch between now and then from among the six conferences he’s been assigned.

He’s part of a 12-member committee charged with identifying the 31 best at-large teams to join the tournament’s 31 automatic qualifiers for the 68-team field that will compete for the national championship.

Committee members, who are led by chair and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletics Director Amanda Braun, have long been meticulously watching games, analyzing statistical profiles, reviewing results and weekly rankings, and applying a range of metrics and evaluation tools to build the most competitive tournament bracket possible.

“Over the past four months, I’ve watched more women’s basketball than I ever have,” Lewis said.

The selection to the high-profile committee is the most prestigious assignment yet for Lewis, whose star continues to rise in the field. But those who know him best are hardly surprised.

Former ACC Senior Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball Mary McElroy was the athletics director at Georgia State when she gave Lewis a reprieve from life as a certified public accountant by hiring him as an assistant athletics director for business in 2008. McElroy is a former Georgia Tech athletics department administrator and had known Lewis from their time there, recognizing his maturity and focus early on.

“I needed the help, and he had the experience and maturity I needed,” McElroy said. “So I took a chance on him.”

His new time-intensive duties mean that Lewis won’t be in Pittsburgh to watch the men’s basketball team compete in the A-10 Tournament. He’ll instead be in Indianapolis with fellow committee members as they absorb all the last-minute information before determining the women’s NCAA Tournament field.

Committee members cannot be present during discussions regarding the selection or seeding of a school or conference they represent.

“You just watch it on TV and everyone has an opinion or perspective on where their team should be seeded, whether their team should be in, or who should be placed in what order,” Lewis said. “But we spend hours debating, using the criteria the committee has established to make those determinations. It’s a lot more detailed than people would think.”

Under Lewis’ leadership, George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics delivered a historic 2024–25 season, capturing five A-10 Conference titles. Key highlights included:

Men’s basketball captured a share of the program’s first regular-season title, finishing with a school-record 27 wins and earning the team’s first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
Women’s basketball won its first A-10 Tournament championship, recorded a program-best 27 victories, and advanced to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Men’s soccer secured the program’s first regular-season title, finishing 13–4–1 overall and 6–1–1 in conference play, while Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year.
Women’s indoor track & field won first championship since 2014.
Men’s outdoor track & field won first championship since 2010.

The five championships marked the most conference titles in a single season in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George �鶹��Ƶ’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013-14. The achievement also represented the program’s most successful competitive year since the 1994-95 season. George �鶹��Ƶ student-athletes also earned 18 all-conference selections or individual titles, while 75 received weekly A-10 awards.

Lewis’ close relationship with A-10 Coach of the Year Tony Skinn, a George �鶹��Ƶ alum who helped lead the Patriots to the 2006 Final Four, helped pave the way for a breakthrough season for the men’s basketball program last winter.

The women’s basketball team also delivered a historic season under Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, who guided the Patriots to the program’s first A-10 championship and was later named a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award.

Lewis’s impact has been equally significant off the courts. During his tenure, a record number of student-athletes were named Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athletes, including 78 in 2024-25 and 74 in 2025-26, the first time George �鶹��Ƶ has recorded back-to-back years with more than 70 honorees.

Beyond competitive success, Lewis has also focused on building the long-term foundation of Intercollegiate Athletics. In 2025, he introduced “Patriots United. Together We Thrive,” a five-year strategic vision designed to strengthen George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics through enhanced student-athlete support, improved resources and facilities, and deeper engagement with the Northern Virginia community.

His success and extensive college basketball background made Lewis an easy choice when the opening as the committee’s A-10 representative unexpectedly came up last spring. His appointment also marked the first time George �鶹��Ƶ has had a representative on the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Committee.

Lewis now gets to experience March Madness again, this time from a vastly different vantage point. Following the announcement of the NCAA field, he’ll attend tournament games at various sites before heading to the Women’s Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

“For a basketball junkie,” he said, “it doesn’t get much better.”

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Patriot Performance Lab helps athletes stay in the game

Sarah Holland — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:52:28 +0000

Patriot Performance Lab helps athletes stay in the game Sarah Holland Tue, 03/03/2026 - 12:52

To be an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete, you need a village. From dieticians to strength trainers to physical therapists, developing and maintaining fitness for elite competition is a collaborative effort. One way that �鶹��Ƶ Intercollegiate Athletics and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) keep our athletes in top form is through evidence-based practices and science. That's where the Patriot Performance Lab comes in.

Erica King, right, works with a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

The Patriot Performance Lab’s role is twofold: They monitor and measure athletes’ health as well as conduct research studies on athlete performance. Over the years, they’ve conducted numerous studies with various D1 teams—such as testing vitamin D levels in basketball players and knee joint adaptations in volleyball players—while providing athletes with critical data on their health metrics like body composition, VO2 Max, strength measurements, and more.

Margaret Jones. Photo by John Boal Photography.

“We’re not just a research lab,” emphasized Margaret Jones, professor in CEHD’s Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management Division and director of the Patriot Performance Lab. “Providing health services to athletes is also critical. It’s what makes the partnership work.”

Strong science communication skills are essential in this field. Researchers need to be able to translate data and results to coaches and student-athletes so they can adjust and improve. Chris Green, professor of sport management and director of the Center for Sport Management, works with the lab to help staff develop research communication skills.

“It’s relatively new to consider sports management in sports science,” she said. “The field as a whole is starting to ask how we can make good management decisions around athlete health and performance data. But the Patriot Performance Lab is already doing this work. It’s one of the things that makes us unique, and it’s what makes our work impactful.”

Green has been essential, Jones said, in helping lab members develop their communication skills and better understand how information is being shared from researchers to coaches to athletes.

“When they understand why I’m asking them to wear or do something and understand how this will benefit them, they’re more likely to perform at the level required in order for us to get good data,” said Noelle Saine, BS Kinesiology ’22, MS Kinesiology ’23, and a third-year PhD student. Saine, who was herself a student-athlete in track and field, understands the importance of strong communication between sport scientists and athletes.

“It’s establishing trust that what we’re doing will improve their health and performance,” said Jones.

Noelle Saine, right, runs a strength test with a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

Collaboration with the coaches and athletic trainers is also critical. “We couldn’t do what we do without them,” said Saine. “They see the benefits and importance of what we do.”

Postdoctoral research fellow Erica King, BS in Bioengineering ’21, PhD Bioengineering ’25 and a former student athlete in swim and dive, has been leading the work on knee joint adaptations since she was a graduate student. She led a recent 9-month study using wearable sensors for tracking load during practice, counter-movement jump testing, wearable and clinical ultrasound, MRIs, and surveys to assess the load demands on volleyball players’ knees.

“At the end of the season, we were able to show the coaching staff the average number of jumps athletes complete in a 15-16 week period and the direct effects of that from a joint adaptation standpoint,” she said. “They found that data really helpful, and now they can tailor practice sessions to better support the players and help alleviate strain that could lead to injury.”

Athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers often come to the lab with questions for study and ideas. A blood lactate study with the swim team last spring was requested by the swimmers, who applied for and received an Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) grant to fund the study. The team collected data from blood draws, heart-rate monitors, DEXA scans, and jump testing. Early review suggests athlete stroke specialization and maximal power generation capabilities significantly impact accumulation in blood lactate levels during all-out swim bouts.

Noelle Saine leads a VO2 Max test on a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

And as Saine and King can attest, the Patriot Performance Lab offers George �鶹��Ƶ students the opportunity to do hands-on research in a wide range of fields. There are opportunities for all levels of research, from postdocs like King to high school students interested in exploring this world of research for the first time.

“Having that R1 designation really gives us the extra push to be able to dive deep into research,” said Saine. “Faculty have always encouraged me to find what I’m passionate about and pursue it. And my experience has been that instead of being competitive, everyone wants to work together to push forward and improve.”

Green noted that Jones’ experience as both researcher and practitioner is also an important piece of the puzzle that makes the Patriot Performance Lab work. “[Jones’] capacity to connect all these parts and have both credibility and an understanding of what the needs are sets us apart,” she said.

Jones said she appreciates the openness and willingness of people at George �鶹��Ƶ to work together.“We’re supported on both sides by CEHD and Athletics.”

“The Patriot Performance Lab reflects what George �鶹��Ƶ does best, bringing research and practice together in service of people,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of CEHD. “Our student-athletes are performing at the highest levels, and they deserve evidence-based support that protects their health and enhances their performance. This partnership between CEHD and Athletics ensures that science goes beyond the lab, to directly improve lives.”

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George �鶹��Ƶ recognized 74 Provost Scholar-Athletes this year

Katarina Benson — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:58:07 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ recognized 74 Provost Scholar-Athletes this year Katarina Benson Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:58

For just the second time, more than 70 �鶹��Ƶ student-athletes have earned the Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award for their outstanding academic achievements. Following a record-breaking 78 honorees last year, 74 student-athletes were recognized during a ceremony held in February.

The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2009 by then-Provost Peter N. Stearns to recognize student athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher with at least 38 credit hours.

Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athlete Award Ceremony 2026. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The reception, hosted by Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, celebrated this year's Provost Scholar-Athletes and was attended by parents, deans and professors, and senior athletics administrators.

Interim provost and executive vice president Ajay Vinzé congratulated the group. Jack Chapman, a senior member of the swimming and diving team and a three-time recipient of the award, spoke on behalf of his fellow student athletes.

Marvin Lewis, George �鶹��Ƶ assistant vice president and director of athletics, also congratulated the honorees during the ceremony. "This award represents the very best of what it means to be a George �鶹��Ƶ student-athlete," he said. "Tonight is not just about athletic talent— it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena. Keep working hard. Keep pushing forward. And keep inspiring the people around you—because you are the standard."

Among this year's honorees, 31 are first-time recipients, 29 have earned the award twice, and 14 have been named Provost Scholar-Athletes three or more times.

First-Time Recipients

Lucas Alberti, Baseball, Business

Bryson Barnett, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology

Regan Bestick, Lacrosse, Biology

Kaitlyn Bronowicz, Softball, Community Health

Charles Bunting, Wrestling, Business

Davian Burke, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering

Owen Clyne, Baseball, Integrated Studies

Riley Ellis, Lacrosse, Neuroscience

Shivaani Ganesh, Women's Tennis, Cyber Security Engineering

Jack Graham, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Tess Altevers Harris, Softball, Economics

David Hill, Men's Volleyball, Business

Pierce Hokenson, Golf, Business

Julia Howe, Rowing, Criminal Justice

Kaitlyn Kutz, Rowing, Chemistry

Marta Kux, Rowing, Business

Alexander Lillie, Men's Volleyball, Criminology, Law and Society

Sabrina Liu, Rowing, Nursing

Jordan Lucas, Women's Volleyball, Neuroscience

Michael Madigan, Baseball, Business

Adelline Oliveira, Women's Swimming & Diving, Physics

Helena Santacana, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering

Aleigha Scherber, Women's Swimming & Diving, Biology

Ryan Serbia, Men's Swimming & Diving, Electrical Engineering

Madison Sobota, Softball, English

Thomas Stofka, Wrestling, Kinesiology

Noelle Talarek, Women's Tennis, Integrated Studies

Giselle Torain, Lacrosse, Psychology

Kailynn Tyson, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Elementary Education

Maxwell Vom Saal, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology

Camryn Weldon, Women's Volleyball, Business

Aidan Weltin, Men's Volleyball, Business

Angelina Zeidan, Women's Swimming & Diving, Kinesiology

Two-Time Recipients

Lauren Bailey, Co-ed Cheerleading, Sport and Recreation Studies

Victoria Bates, Women's Lacrosse, Special Education

Kara Becker, Women's Rowing, Anthropology

Julia Bike, Women's Soccer, Business

Alayna Brooker, Women's Swimming & Diving, Bioengineering

Luke Brown, Cross Country/Indoor Track, Economics

Caitlin Cardin, Co-ed Cheerleading, Government and International Politics

Mia Casciani, Women's Soccer, Sports Management

Haleigh Dellow, Softball, Psychology

Makenna Diaz, Co-ed Cheerleading, Education

Brant Ertel, Baseball, Business

Robert Evangelista, Men's Volleyball, Business

Amalia Florou Dimitriadou, Women's Indoor Track, Psychology

Marie Franjicic, Women's Soccer, Kinesiology

Kaleigh Friend, Softball, Special Education

Sarah "Midori" Galligan, Women's Rowing, Kinesiology

Page Greenburg, Women's Basketball, Psychology

Kristen Ivey, Women's Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society

June Johnson, Women's Rowing, International Security and Law

Elene Meurmishvili, Women's Rowing, Economics

Harlowe Nigh, Softball, Psychology

Carly Passaro, Women's Soccer, Government and International Politics

Isabella Puentes, Women's Rowing, Electrical Engineering

Clare Smith, Women's Swimming & Diving, Psychology

Casey Tingen, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Madyson Taylor, Women's Soccer, Community Health

Jazmine Vasquez, Women's Rowing, Business

Three-Year Recipients

Megan Baird, Women's Indoor Track, Computer Engineering

Kaitlyn Bestick, Women's Lacrosse, Political Science

Evan Blanchard, Baseball, Sports Management

Selamawit Caldart, Women's Soccer, Integrated Studies

Pilar Cerritos Gatto, Women's Rowing, Psychology

Jack Chapman, Men's Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society

Rachel Eberly, Women's Soccer, Sports Management

Peyton Farley, Women's Lacrosse, Psychology

Alexandra Hooks, Women's Soccer, Biology

Kamryn Inman, Softball, Community Health

Sierra Matheson, Women's Indoor Track, English

Ella ("Marley") Oare, Women's Indoor Track, Global Affairs

Allyson Yeary, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Georgi Zahariev, Men's Volleyball, Cyber Security

"Tonight is not just about athletic talent—it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena."

—Marvin Lewis, Assistant VP and Director of Athletics

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How Vanessa Blair-Lewis built a women's basketball winner at George �鶹��Ƶ

ckearney — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:16:01 +0000

How Vanessa Blair-Lewis built a women's basketball winner at George �鶹��Ƶ ckearney Mon, 02/23/2026 - 15:16

Vanessa Blair-Lewis is quoted and student-athlete Zahirah Walton is mentioned. Read more in USA Today.

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George �鶹��Ƶ women’s basketball team named USBWA Team of the Week

ckearney — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:52:44 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ women’s basketball team named USBWA Team of the Week ckearney Tue, 02/03/2026 - 16:52

The George �鶹��Ƶ women's basketball team has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Team of the Week after going 2-0 last week and extending their best start in conference history to 10-0.

On January 28, the Patriots beat the Davidson Wildcats 62-51. It was just the second time George �鶹��Ƶ has beaten Davidson in North Carolina. Zahirah Walton scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Kennedy Harris added 12 points on 56% shooting, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

Then on Saturday, George �鶹��Ƶ faced Saint Louis, beating the Billikens 66-51 as part of Homecoming Week 2026. Walton once again led the team with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Harris added 12 points, 5 steals, and 4 rebounds. Louis Volker also played a big role, tallying 11 points, 3-4 3FG, and 5 rebounds.

The Patriots are one of just two non-power conference teams to be named USBWA Team of the Week in 2025-26.

Their next game is Saturday, Feb. 7, at University of Richmond.

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Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott

ckearney — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:31:43 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott ckearney Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:31

Jaylin Lott

Year: Sophomore

Major: Business with a minor in sport management

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

The athlete and competitor in her fuel George �鶹��Ƶ’s Jaylin Lott’s love for volleyball, but it’s the inner serenity that singing brings her that she treasures away from the court.

Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

An Almost Idol: Lott experiences the best of both worlds as a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist for the Patriots women’s volleyball team who also moonlights as a singer—one talented enough to have performed the national anthem at numerous NBA games and in George �鶹��Ƶ’s EagleBank Arena. Her powerful voice even carried her to the third round of last year’s American Idol tryouts, where she was one of just 15 singers selected from a pool of roughly 300 during an in-person audition in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It’s a Family Affair: Strong vocals run in the family. Lott’s grandmother, Ava, who passed away in 2020, sang in the church choir and remains her inspiration. Lott began singing around age 13 while competing and lettering in both volleyball and track at Clark High School in Texas. Her father, Jason, a former Division I track and field athlete at Texas State University, noticed early on that his daughter was gifted in music as well. “[Sports and singing are] both ways to escape the stress that naturally comes with life,” Lott said. “They’ve each been therapeutic in different ways and at different times. I have a deep love for both.”

At the End of the Day: Lott says it's not uncommon to find her singing along to her karaoke machine to unwind after a long day of classes and practice. Her musical inspirations include Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and other old-school artists she credits for shaping her style and confidence. “As I’ve gotten older, I look forward to coming home and singing karaoke,” she said. “It’s kind of been my peace, especially after moving so far away from home.”

Taking the Stage: She was just a sophomore in high school when she first sang the national anthem before a San Antonio Spurs game, a moment that felt larger than life. “It was pretty big,” Lott recalled, “I was nervous at first, but it was pretty cool.” She returned to perform at Spurs games many times since, and has even sung for a larger crowd before a Dallas Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center.

Photo provided

Passion on the Court: Lott continues to make an impact on the Patriots team that enjoyed its most successful non-conference season since 2009, surpassing last year’s 11-win total and earning a spot in the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament that was held in Richmond, Virginia, in November.

“She has such a gift for passing and defense in middle-back,” said George �鶹��Ƶ women’s volleyball Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann, “and she’s one of the most naturally talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure to coach in that position.”

Bachmann first learned of Lott’s musical talent during recruiting and was immediately impressed. “We’re always hoping to hear even more from her, without putting too much pressure around it,” Shifflett Bachmann said, “It’s a joy every time I overhear her singing to herself in the hallway or along with the music at practice.”

Singing Her Own Song: Singing is more than a hobby for Lott, it’s a passion she hopes to turn into a career. Lott continues to reach out to NBA teams in the region and in her hometown about national anthem gigs while also eyeing possible future auditions on The Voice. Lott also wrote songs for fun throughout middle and high school, and she has long imagined taking the next step—writing music professionally and eventually recording her own music in a studio. Finding time between school and volleyball has been tough, but she’s determined. “I want to put in the work it takes to have people one day hear my music,” she said. “It’s a peaceful thing for me to do, and it carries my grandmother’s legacy, too.”

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Teaming up: College of Public Health and Athletics partner to support athletes holistically

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:57:51 +0000

Teaming up: College of Public Health and Athletics partner to support athletes holistically Taylor Thomas Mon, 10/27/2025 - 08:57

A new partnership between the College of Public Health (CPH) and the Athletics Department is taking shape at �鶹��Ƶ, starting with a shared commitment to boost nutrition support for student-athletes.

Photo by Rafael Suanes/George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

“From the start, we saw an opportunity to merge two strengths at George �鶹��Ƶ: our expertise in public health and Athletics’ commitment to student well-being,” said Dean Melissa Perry of the College of Public Health. “This collaboration was part of the vision when we recruited Dr. Martin Binks, knowing his leadership could help connect nutrition science directly to the needs of our student-athletes.”

“At George �鶹��Ƶ, we believe in developing champions in every aspect of life, which means investing in the holistic well-being of our student-athletes,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “This partnership with the College of Public Health reinforces that commitment by bringing expert support in nutrition, wellness, and education—helping our Patriots thrive in competition and beyond. We’re proud to build this model of collaboration and grateful to the College of Public Health leadership for their shared vision and partnership.”

Currently, the nutrition department is assisting Athletics as they hire a full-time registered dietitian, who will serve as both a direct resource for student-athletes as well as a preceptor for dietetics students completing supervised practice hours in the Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics.

The department is also designing a new athlete-focused section of one of its most popular courses, NUTR 295: Fundamentals of Nutrition. The class will keep its general nutrition framework while folding in case studies and other content tailored to athletic performance, designed in consultation with coaches and trainers.

“Athletics is proactively supporting the whole student, not just their athletic performance. Our department shares that philosophy and is ready to support it,” said Martin Binks, chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (NFS) at CPH.

On the CPH side, for students enrolled in the MS in Nutrition’s Nutrition and Performance concentration, the partnership opens more doors for applied learning and collaboration. Internships and practicums with Athletics will place them alongside the university’s strength and conditioning staff, trainers, and teams.

Binks has joined the George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics Medical Review Team, a strategically assembled advisory group tasked with evaluating and improving the standard of sports medicine care available to student-athletes. “It’s the first time the College of Public Health has had representation in that process,” Binks noted.

These initial steps lay the groundwork for broader connections between CPH and Athletics in the future. During a September CPH kickoff meeting, faculty and athletics leaders also discussed opportunities in social work and mental-health support, as well as immersive learning using virtual reality and augmented reality to enhance anatomy and physiology education. Additional plans include workshops and seminars on a range of wellness topics related to self-care, sleep, and stress management, as well as topics centered on leadership and life after student athletics.

Thumbnail photo by Ayman Rashid/Creative Services/�鶹��Ƶ.

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Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS, MBA

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Off the Clock: Marathoner Susanna Sullivan is in it for the long run

lclarkg — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:19:35 +0000

Off the Clock: Marathoner Susanna Sullivan is in it for the long run lclarkg Thu, 09/25/2025 - 09:19

When �鶹��Ƶ track and field assistant coach Susanna Sullivan stepped onto the start line at the World Championships marathon in Tokyo, she carried with her the encouragement of the student-athletes she mentors, the lessons of her sixth-grade classroom, and the resilience of an athlete who never stopped believing.

The result was proof that it is never too late to keep improving. Sullivan delivered a career-best performance on the world stage, finishing fourth in the women's marathon with a time of 2:28:17.

Susanna Sullivan, assistant track and field coach at �鶹��Ƶ. Photo by Michael Scott

Outside her full-time job as a sixth-grade teacher in McLean, Virginia, Sullivan stays busy logging workouts and mentoring George �鶹��Ƶ's distance runners as a volunteer assistant coach.

"My role at George �鶹��Ƶ isn't about writing training plans," Sullivan said. "It's about being a resource, talking with the athletes about nutrition, recovery, or just being a cheerleader. I want them to see that if you make something a priority, you can make it work."

Head Coach Andrew Gerard has guided Sullivan’s training for the past five years, emphasizing patience and long-term growth. That philosophy has fueled Sullivan's steady rise, allowing her to run faster more than 15 years after her collegiate career ended.

“I love that there are endless opportunities to improve yourself as an athlete,” Sullivan said. “With the marathon, the ‘little things’ like sleep, nutrition, and strength work seem amplified because you're running so far. Patience and discipline make a big difference.”

Entering the World Championship race ranked No. 99 in the world, Sullivan battled sweltering conditions to finish just one spot off the podium. To date, only two American women have ever medaled in the event.

"Susanna's result was spectacular," Gerard said. "This was not a race for fast times—it was about racing the competition and handling the conditions. Susanna showed tremendous composure and toughness."

Sullivan took the lead in the race with a 17:10 split and led the field through 25K. The two favorites, Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, passed the 35-year-old just after the 18-mile mark.

Prior to her appearance at the World Championship, Sullivan established herself among the nation's elite marathoners. As a professional runner for Brooks, she clocked an eye-opening 2:21:56 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, one of the 10 fastest marathons ever run by an American woman.

Sullivan competed collegiately at the University of Notre Dame. Her time as a member of Capital Area Runners after college was marked by steady improvement, several top-10 performances at U.S. road championships, and two Olympic Trials appearances in the marathon.

“The World Championships are different from many other marathons I've done, because there is a higher emphasis on placement, rather than running as fast as you can,” Sullivan said. “That lends itself to a more tactical approach.”

The result was particularly sweet redemption after her 58th place finish in the same event at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where she finished despite suffering a fractured kneecap mid-race. A grueling recovery raised doubts about her future.

Susanna Sullivan. Photo by Team Brooks

"To not only come back, but to be running better than I ever have, feels like such a gift," Sullivan said.

Her resilience was strengthened by the George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics community. Training alongside passionate student-athletes helped her stay grounded and motivated through months of uncertainty, she said. Sullivan’s achievements offer proof of what is possible with grit, discipline, and consistency.

And she is already planning her next big race. “Immediately, I’m focused on recovering from the World Championships. I have wanted to run the TCS New York City Marathon for a while now, and that's coming up in early November,” she said.

“Longer term, I'm loving this journey with the team, and juggling teaching and running,” Sullivan said. “I hope to stay healthy and see what other opportunities running brings to see the world and test myself against the best.”

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Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:17:12 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert Katarina Benson Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:17

Spending another summer in Southern California playing beach volleyball isn’t just fun in the sun for �鶹��Ƶ student athlete Jackson Herbert. The nuances and physical demands of the faster-paced beach game are considerably different from indoor volleyball, but he said playing has significantly elevated his indoor game. Now Herbert, a junior and men’s volleyball opposite from Ashburn, Virginia, feels he may be primed for a breakout season with the Patriots this year.

George �鶹��Ƶ men's volleyball player Jackson Herbert. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“When I’m playing indoors, I feel like I’m flying because there’s nothing holding me down,” he said.

Herbert playing beach volleyball in California. Photo provided

Training Is a Beach: This summer, Herbert trained in the Los Angeles area, where his daily regime involved two to three hours of practice in the sand, followed by a dip in the ocean before grabbing a bite to eat, weightlifting, and recuperative time in the hot tub. Before finishing the day, he might have another dip in the ocean. Rinse and repeat.

Doing It All: Opposites, also known as the right-side hitter, are versatile players who rotate through both the front and back row, with key responsibilities that include hitting, blocking, and occasionally setting. The two-person beach game requires all that, and then some. “You have to be able to pass, set, and serve well,” said Herbert. “You have to be able to do it all.”

All in the Family: As a kid, Herbert would tag along with his parents who played in a co-ed league for Dulles Beach Volleyball. His mother soon enrolled him in volleyball clinics, and by age 10, he was competing in indoor volleyball. “My love for the sport grew from there,” he said.

Home Away from Home: When it came time to choose a college, Herbert considered two things: location and brotherhood. As the oldest of three, he wanted to stay close to home so he could be involved in his siblings’ lives, supporting them at their tournaments and games whenever possible. He also values the tight-knit, open-door culture of George �鶹��Ƶ’s men’s volleyball team. “I knew some of the guys before committing, and every interaction pulled me closer to George �鶹��Ƶ,” he said. “It made the decision really easy.”

Balancing Passions: A member of the Honors College, Herbert’s interest in technology comes naturally—his dad is a software developer, which inspired him to take cybersecurity and software development classes in high school. Enjoying what he learned, he decided to pursue computer science as a major.

Jackson Herbert (right) with Team USA teammate Kai Rodriguez. Photo provided

All the Way with Team USA: In October, Herbert, who previously played for the U.S. Beach Volleyball U19 and U21 teams, will join the U21 squad to compete in the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach World Championships in Puebla, Mexico. “It was an amazing experience,” he said of his previous opportunity with the national teams. “I’m excited to do this again.”

Setting His Sights: Herbert hopes to earn spots with the U.S. Collegiate and U23 Beach Volleyball National teams next summer. Beyond college, he would like to play professionally on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour—the premier professional beach volleyball league in the United States. “I’d like to continue doing this at the highest level.”

Volleyball at George �鶹��Ƶ

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:38:22 +0000

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:38

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former �鶹��Ƶ women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows.

Coach Tayler Cook with her Heritage team. Photo by Maya Lopez/LoCoSports

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship.

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.”

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George �鶹��Ƶ alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.”

Coach Cook on the sidelines. Photo provided

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

It seems that winning is in her DNA.

Cook was a four-year player at George �鶹��Ƶ, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons.

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development.

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.”

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects.

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.

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