Marvin Lewis, George Mason University's assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, has been appointed by the Atlantic 10 to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, marking a historic moment for George Mason Athletics. Lewis is the program's inaugural representative on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee.
He succeeds Saint Joseph's vice president and director of Athletics, Jill Bodensteiner, who is stepping down after three years of service on the committee.
"Marvin is the perfect choice to serve on the committee moving forward," said Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. "His support, passion, and knowledge of women's basketball will be of great service to the Division I membership."
"It is an honor to serve on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee and to represent George Mason University and the Atlantic 10," said Lewis. "This is an exciting and transformative time for women's basketball, marked by unprecedented growth in attendance, media reach, and national interest. I experienced this momentum firsthand while supporting George Mason's women's basketball during its historic first NCAA Tournament appearance this past season—and it deepened my passion and commitment to advancing the women's game. I'm eager to work alongside my fellow committee members to help shape a competitive and compelling NCAA Tournament that continues to elevate the sport on a national stage."
Previously, former George Mason Athletic Director Tom O'Connor made history when he joined the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee in 2004—the first representative from the Colonial Athletic Association to the committee. O'Connor served a five-year term and was named chair for the 2007–08 season.
Lewis will be part of the 12-member committee that will be chaired by Amanda Braun, director of athletics at Milwaukee. Other committee members include Vicky Chun of Yale; Liz Darger of Brigham Young; Amy Folan of Central Michigan; Josh Heird of Louisville; Jeff Konya of San Jose State; Jill Redmond of the Missouri Valley Conference; Colleen Sorem of Maryland; Candice Storey Lee of Vanderbilt; Lynn Tighe of Villanova; and newly appointed committee member Ashleigh Simmons of Western Carolina.