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George Mason University

09/10/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2025 11:40

George Mason Final Four 20th-Anniversary Celebration on Dec. 13 includes halftime program honoring Jim Larrañaga

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The George Mason University men's basketball team will host a 20th-Anniversary Commemoration of its historic run to the 2006 NCAA Final Four on Friday, December 13, when the Patriots face former conference rival Old Dominion at EagleBank Arena.

The weekend will honor the program's iconic past while also celebrating its present momentum under Final Four starting point guard and current head coach Tony Skinn, BA Communication '06. At halftime of the game, the program will recognize former head coach Jim Larrañaga with a banner that will permanently hang from the arena rafters. He will be joined by members of the 2006 Final Four team, creating a special moment for the George Mason community to relive one of the most significant chapters in program history.

Fans in attendance will enjoy a number of interactive elements to mark the occasion, including a one-of-a-kind commemorative giveaway, the opportunity to take photos with the Final Four trophy on the concourse, and in-game activations designed to engage Patriots of all ages.

To further mark the milestone, Athletics has unveiled a commemorative 20th Anniversary logo, which will appear on exclusive merchandise, social media campaigns, and storytelling platforms throughout the season. The program also will honor the life and legacy of the late Carolyn Marsh, affectionately known as "The Godmother of George Mason Basketball," whose "CM" insignia will be worn by the team to celebrate her lasting impact on the program and community.

The 2006 Patriots made history as the first modern "Cinderella" to reach the NCAA Final Four, capturing the nation's imagination with upset victories over Michigan State, North Carolina, and top-ranked Connecticut in what is widely considered the greatest Elite Eight triumph in tournament history.

Two starters from that legendary team remain central to the program's success today. Skinn has led the Patriots to a school-record 47 victories in just two seasons as head coach, including the program's first-ever Atlantic 10 regular season championship, new records for A-10 league wins (15) and home victories (18), and a return to the conference title game. His teammate Lamar Butler, the 2006 NCAA East Region Most Outstanding Player, continues to contribute as George Mason's director of player development, a role he has held since 2023. Together, they embody the lasting legacy of the 2006 run and its continued influence on George Mason basketball.

Follow GoMason.com and @MasonMBB on social media for additional announcements and interactive fan elements tied to this milestone celebration.

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George Mason University published this content on September 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 10, 2025 at 17:41 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]