Good morning fellow Patriots! As we sit back and enjoy a nice cup of java and catch up on all that’s happening, our Mason teams have already finished their first workout and probably gearing up for another this afternoon.

Doesn’t that make us feel great about ourselves? Maybe we shouldn’t skip the gym today.

We’ve got summer updates from the hardwood, a throwback to one of the all-time greats, and a little trivia to get the brain churning

What else is stirring in today’s Brew? Check it out!

🏀 The grind never stops
⚽️ Countdown to Kickoff
👏 Who got the call?
​⭐ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 No Slow Down This Summer. While the rest of us plan beach trips, sneak out of the office early on Fridays, and enjoy a nice grilling season out back, our Patriots men’s basketball team is hard at work under first year head coach Tony Skinn.

This year’s roster will include the addition of transfers like Woody Newton (Oklahoma State), Nicolas Pavrette (Central Michigan), Darius Maddox (Virginia Tech), Amari Kelly (UNCW), Jared Billups (Siena), and Keyshawn Hall (UNLV).

🔼 On The Rise. Vanessa Blair-Lewis and the Mason women’s team is grinding right alongside the new look men’s squad.

In her third season, Blair-Lewis is looking to continue to raise the bar after helping the Patriots to their first winning season in five years last year.

In addition to the return of two starters from last year’s squad, this upcoming season will include seven new faces that look to be immediate contributors.

🤔 PATRIOT TRIVIA

Getting The Call. June always bring us back to America’s Pastime. It’s also when many Boys of Summer get the call they’ve always dreamed of when the MLB draft occurs.

In total, George Mason has had 58 players either sign or be drafted by MLB organizations.

Of those 58, six have made it to the big leaguers.

Can you name the most recent one to get the call?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⭐ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 65 DAYS

We are just 65 days away from the start of the 2023-2024 athletic calendar, which begins with the Mason women’s soccer team taking the pitch in mid-August.

This upcoming fall will be the 40th anniversary of the first Patriots team to appear in an NCAA Championship game.

Mason’s team that year had not one, not two, but THREE members of the US National team that year in Pam Baughman, Kim Crabbe, and Lisa Gmitter.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Patriot Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Chris O’Grady!

The Congers, N.Y. native appeared in 21 games, including six starts, for the Miami Marlins between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Let’s have a great Wednesday!