George Mason to Join Atlantic 10 Conference in July

George Mason University announced Monday that it is leaving the Colonial Athletic Association and moving to the Atlantic 10 as of July 1.

“This is an exciting time for George Mason University,” said GMU President Ángel Cabrera in a statement. “After careful consideration, we have concluded that joining the A10 is the right move at the right time for Mason.”

Tom O’Connor, GMU’s assistant vice president and athletics director, said the move was due to “changes in the collegiate landscape.”

“Our vision for Mason athletics is to be the best overall athletics program in the conference, with an emphasis on men’s and women’s basketball, and this perfectly aligned with the Atlantic 10’s vision and accomplishments,” O’Connor said.

One of the founding members of the CAA, GMU chose to stay in the conference in 2012 after showing interest in the A-10.

The Patriots made a charge to the Final Four in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, beating Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State and Connecticut before falling to Florida, who would go on to win the national championship.

GMU finished this season 10-8 in the CAA and will host Houston Monday night at 7 p.m. in the College Basketball Invitational.

“The addition of Mason further strengthens our footprint, enhances our brand and will allow us to continue to build our national prominence and success in men’s basketball and all sports,” said A-10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade.

The Patriots will enter an A-10 that is saying goodbye to both Butler and Xavier, who are moving to the Big East. The addition of GMU gives the A-10 13 teams.

Patrick Nero, athletic director at fellow A-10 member and potential local rival George Washington University, tweeted Monday: "Welcome to the @atlantic10 George Mason University, great addition for league. It will be an exciting rival for #GWU #RaiseHigh.”

Along with George Washington, GMU will also join Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond, regional rivals who also left the CAA for the A-10. Click here for a full list of the schools in the A-10 conference.

WJLA reports that GMU will pay an exit fee of $1 million and will forfeit about $1.65 million in conference payouts. Cabrera told the Associated Press he expects the move to “pay for itself” in about 5 years.