In 2006, Douglas Bates, a small‑town lawyer from Tennessee, was among the many fans nationwide captivated by George Mason University’s men’s basketball team as it advanced through the NCAA Final Four, defeating powerhouse programs along the way.
During the tournament run, Bates reached out to Traci Kendall—then part of University Relations, which included Community Relations, Media and Public Relations, Creative Services, Events Management, and University Information—to learn more about the team and the campus atmosphere. He recorded their conversation to share with his college‑age children and friends who were also college basketball enthusiasts, later mailing a copy to Kendall.
“I love how colleges bless us as a people. Sports allow us to come together,” he said. “I hadn’t heard of George Mason before, but that [2006 Final Four] run certainly changed that for me and many others across the nation.”
While the university has undergone tremendous change over the past 20 years, one constant remains: a dedicated team continues to serve as a bridge to elected officials, the business community, civic organizations, and individuals near and far who want to connect with George Mason. University Relations has since been restructured into several units, including Government and Community Relations, where Kendall now serves as executive director.
Kendall recently rediscovered Bates’s recording among her collection of George Mason memorabilia. She donated it to the university’s Special Collections Research Center for digitization and preservation. Kendall sent the newly digitized recording and a letter to the address she had on file for Bates from 20 years ago. He responded enthusiastically via text message. The two have since shared memories and photos from the 2006 Final Four run to the 20th anniversary celebration honoring the players and Coach Jim Larrañaga that took place this past December. Bates also introduced her to a group of George Mason basketball fans based in Tennessee.
“Reconnecting with someone I once supported over a phone call two decades ago is a powerful reminder of the importance of a community relations office—often the front door to the university when constituents don’t know whom else to call—and how deeply community relationships endure across both distance and time,” she said.
Through the power of sports and sustained relationship‑building, Mason Nation’s reach continues to grow.
-by Roddena I. Kirksey