June 9, 2004

June 9, 2004 -

Fairfax, VA-George Mason University President Alan G. Merten has extended the contract of Director of Athletics Tom O'Connor through 2009. O'Connor is in his 10th year at George Mason University and his fourth decade in NCAA Division I athletics.

"One of the most dynamic areas of George Mason is our athletic program. Under Tom's leadership, it has become a vital part of the university's landscape. He has helped create an environment in which our teams have gained in quality, our coaches have gained positive notoriety, and, most importantly, the educational experience for our student- athletes has been greatly enhanced," said Alan G. Merten, university president.

"I deeply appreciate the support I've received from the University's administration for the past ten years and the confidence they have in me to continue to face new challenges," said O'Connor. "I've enjoyed working with Mason athletics, watching them grow with the university and enjoying the success many of our programs have achieved during the last decade both on and off the playing field. Our goal is to continue to give our student-athletes the platform and support needed to get a good education first and provide them the facilities and atmosphere to compete at a high level consistently."

The Union City, NJ, native served as athletic director at Loyola (MD) College (1976-86), at Santa Clara University (1986-92) and at St. Bonaventure University (1992-94). He was also the head basketball coach at Dartmouth College (1972-74) and at Loyola (1974-76). His age of 25 when he became head coach at Dartmouth ranks him as the sixth-youngest head coach to ever take over a NCAA Division I program.

At the NCAA level, O'Connor will begin his five-year term on the Men's Basketball Committee in September. He currently holds a seat on the prestigious Management Council, is a member of the Division I Strategic Planning Committee and has been appointed to the Selection Review Committee. He was involved with the NCAA restructuring process as a member of the business/finance cabinet, and he began a term as a member of the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee in September 1997. He also is a member of the Executive Council of the NACDA Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association. The 2003-04 academic year marks his second in the position of President of the Colonial Athletic Association.

The 57-year-old O'Connor earned a B.A. degree in 1968 from Assumption (MA) College, where he was a four-year basketball letterwinner. He is a member of the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Many of O'Connor's teams have reached regional and national heights. Loyola won the 1976 men's soccer national championship, while Santa Clara's 1989 men's soccer team was the co-national champion with Virginia and the 1991 squad was the national runner-up. The school also earned NCAA bids in men's and women's basketball, women's soccer and baseball. At George Mason, the men's indoor track and field team won the 1996 national championship and the outdoor squad placed second. In the annual Sears Directors' Cup standings, the Patriots ranked first among Division I-AAA (non-football) institutions in 1995 and 1997.