We may have split the season series with GMU this year, but after being at the game today I was reminded of one area we dominate: home arena and game atmosphere. 

I even brought my daughter today who gained massive appreciation for the Smith Center today. 

Here are some of my observations:

1) Eagle Bank Arena is a dump and very dark, while the Smith Center is nice, light, and inviting.

2) even when attendance is bad, the smith center doesn’t feel as empty and depressing as EBA. 

3) There is no character at all to the non-description area where EBA seats: The Smith Center is in one of the best locations for any arena in America.

4) The “Masonettes” pale in comparison to the First Ladies.  If you haven’t appreciate how hard the First Ladies work, how much energy, and how much quality they being, a road game at George Mason will cure that quickly. 

5) Their band, for all its plaudits, is annoying.  They have a singer on most songs accompanying the marching band.  The singers weren’t very good - the band is good, but the singers bring it down 3 notches.

6) there was no student section, at least not thst I could tell.  Even when we only have 100 there, the concentration of students front and center in seats that are right on top of the court give our games an energy that the soulless EBA doesn’t have. 

7) At halftime, I saw a massive line - probably 30 people long, or more.  When I followed it to see what it was, it was people line up for Dippin Dots.  Dippin Dots?!?  The worst treat known to man.  The ice cream of the future?   Yeah, if the future is a miserable place with no ice cream. 

8) popcorn costs $9 there.  At The Smith Center it’s now FREE.   Not sure if that’s even been mentioned on this board, but huge kudos to whoever decided to add free popcorn this year.

9) The chairs at EBA are not terribly comfortable.  Smith Center Sears (at least the blue seats) are pretty nice.

10) Generally, Eagles Bank Arena has no character at all all - it’s just a big, dark, soul-sucking generic arena.  The Smith Center is just a warm, awesome place to see a game.  Can’t wait until we are good again and start getting packed houses once more.


At any rate, I’m proud to be a Colonial, and thankful that dump isn’t my home arena.

All time series now 33-10 I think. There is no Revolutionary RIVALRY. We own them. 

I've always felt that when schools within the same metro markets play one another, the visiting team's cheerleaders and band ought to be invited to perform.  No hotel expenses, just a quick bus ride.  I believe that would play a small role in generating a rivalry.

Eagle Bank Arena wins when it comes to uses outside of athletics. 
I've seen some great shows there through the years. It is a great room for a concert

The fact they don't use the Smith Center for concerts more often then 1x a year always baffled me

I suspect the acoustics in the Smith Center are not good for a lot of events.   Pretty boomy (is that a word)? if I recall correctly.

BC wrote:

I suspect the acoustics in the Smith Center are not good for a lot of events.   Pretty boomy (is that a word)? if I recall correctly.

REM in 1986 was pretty damn decent as I recall.

The final 4 banner in Mason's arena is also a nice touch.  We should consider one for the Smith Center.

Sounds like some great updates! I know firsthand that the railing was an issue for those seated in the endzones.

Here are a series of tweets that showcase some of the updates:
https://twitter.com/brooksie1219/status/1700191517090963966/photo/1

It would be nice if they could someday spring for cupholders.   I understand that they are going to have to widen the lane in order to fit "Revolutionaries".  

I feel like we already heard of this plan back in the JC days but glad to see it's progressing.

GW Hatchet with the story: Officials present plan to remodel Smith Center to ANC – The GW Hatchet

Director of Athletics Tonya Vogel, Community Relations Director Kevin Days, Assistant Vice President of Construction Management and Campus Planning Adam Aaronson and attorney Lee Templin presented a plan to fill the pool at the Smith Center to add an additional basketball court and cardio and weight stations for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Vogel said the construction of the new space will open up the main arena floor for the University’s other athletic programs.

Vogel said the Smith Center’s main arena is currently occupied between about 6 a.m. and 10 to 11:30 p.m. each day. She said the shallow end of the Smith Center pool poses challenges for the water polo team’s practices.

Aaronson said University officials plan to file a zoning application increasing the size of the Smith Center by 10 feet into G Street and making the addition 36 feet tall. Templin said the University will file its zoning application in mid-October.

The 2022 Mount Vernon Campus Plan outlines a plan to enclose the outdoor pool on that campus.

Last edited by GW0509 (9/22/2023 1:32 pm)