(Andrew T. Yarbrough / Fourth Estate)
Freezing temperatures couldn’t chill Patriots’ Homecoming spirit
BY KATIE KOHLER, STAFF WRITER
Despite freezing temperatures, the Mason community celebrated its annual Homecoming from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7 with a week of traditions, events and athletic victories.
Homecoming festivities began Thursday, Jan. 29, with Rally at the Court in the Johnson Center, highlighting school spirit. On Friday, Jan. 30, the Patriot Activities Council (PAC) hosted the Homecoming Tip-Off Party and Lip Sync Battle.
At the Lip Sync Battle, all seven Panhellenic sororities partnered with Interfraternity Council fraternities to compete for first, second and third place prizes. Alpha Omicron Pi and Phi Sigma Kappa won first place, earning $300 for their philanthropies.
Following the Lip Sync Battle, PAC hosted a bingo event featuring prizes including a Nintendo Switch, an Amazon Fire TV Stick and a digital camera. All attendees received a free 2026 Homecoming T-shirt.
Taco Tuesday Trivia, originally scheduled for Jan. 27, was postponed due to weather and rescheduled for Feb. 3, and was catered in The Hub by the restaurant Banditos.
Mason’s annual Day of Service was held on Wednesday in the new Activities Building behind the RAC, featuring a blood and food drive. On Thursday night, comedian Josh Johnson headlined the homecoming comedy show.
Saturday’s tailgate festivities ahead of the men’s basketball game were moved indoors to EagleBank Arena due to extreme cold. Despite this, many students continued tailgating, though grills were prohibited due to high wind gusts.
Junior Sarah Jubiz expressed that her tailgating fun was cut short because of the cold temperatures, but added, “A Mason truck was handing out hot chocolate and hand warmers, which made the experience more enjoyable.”
Mason’s Office of Alumni Relations, Mason Athletics, the Mason Maniaks and Student Involvement hosted booths inside the arena. Arcade games, esports games and yard games were also available.
(Andrew T. Yarbrough / Fourth Estate)
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won their homecoming games. The women’s team defeated Saint Louis 66–51 on Saturday, Jan. 31. The men’s team closed homecoming week with a 60–52 victory over Saint Joseph’s University at Eagle Bank Arena.
More than 7,000 fans attended the men’s game according to Mason Athletics, cheering on the Patriots, who now sit second in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings.
Homecoming 2026 brought together students, alumni and the George Mason community for a week of events, service and athletic success. Despite weather-related challenges, traditions continued, allowing Patriots to connect, celebrate school spirit and close the week on a high note.
