Statement of the Governor on Virginia College Basketball Success

RICHMOND – Today, Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement on the unprecedented success of Virginia collegiate basketball programs this season:

“I want to congratulate the university president, coaches, players, students and alumni of the George Mason University Patriots, who will be playing for an opportunity to advance to the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game on Monday night. It is a very exciting time for President Alan Merten and Coach Jim Larranaga, who are acting not only as ambassadors for GMU, but for the Colonial Athletic Conference and all Virginia state colleges and universities. GMU is a shining example of the strength of our intercollegiate programs here in Virginia and I wish them the greatest success going forward.

“But the Patriots aren’t the only Virginia team that deserves special recognition. Virginia Wesleyan University won the Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship led by Division III Coach of the Year, Dave Macedo. In Division II, the Virginia Union University Panthers were the Division II Men’s Basketball National Finalists, guided by their VaSID Coach of the Year, Dave Robbins. Additionally, Old Dominion University’s Men’s basketball team made it to the National Semi-finals of the NIT.

“All four programs have played an exciting brand of basketball all year and the teams’ young men have been superb representatives of great Virginia student-athletes. Congratulations to Old Dominion, Virginia Wesleyan, and Virginia Union on spectacular seasons. And best wishes for continued success to George Mason University the rest of the way in the NCAA tournament.”

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