George Washington University Athletics
A New Era in GW Men’s Basketball Begins
3/25/2019 7:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jamion Christian reported to the Smith Center court before 6 a.m. on Monday ready to get to work.
Hours before he looked out over a packed crowd gathered for his introductory press conference and declared "I'm fired up to be your coach!", the new GW men's basketball coach showed it by putting the Colonials through an energetic predawn workout.
It's been a thrilling whirlwind since Christian was hired last Thursday, but he's hit the ground running in Foggy Bottom. Monday offered more opportunity – via actions and words – to set the tone for the future of the program.
"We stand here with an opportunity to do something really, really special," Christian told the assembled group of media and supporters. "Everything we want to achieve is right here in front of us. We've just got to go for it."
In its six-day search for a coach, GW leadership agreed Christian was the right man for the job and worked quickly to make it reality.
President Thomas J. LeBlanc praised Christian's "energy" and "optimism" in introducing him Monday, while Director of Athletics & Recreation Tanya Vogel ticked off a laundry list of qualities that made the new coach a perfect fit.
"In Jamion Christian, we have a true champion," Vogel said. "He is the complete package."
Christian is eager for the challenge after leading his alma mater Mount St. Mary's to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and then turning around Siena in rapid fashion.
The New Kent, Va., native arrives with a deep appreciation of the program's rich history and a proven formula for success with an entertaining brand of hoops dubbed "Mayhem" that comes with a straight forward mission statement.
"Love is accountability and accountability is love," Christian told his players from the podium. "You're going to get so tired of hearing that, but you're going to get so good at understanding the importance of it."
The Colonials got their first glimpse of Christian in action Sunday when he held individual introductions followed by a team meeting.
On Monday, they got started as soon as they could with a brisk session that belied the early wake-up call.
"The energy was definitely there," junior captain Adam Mitola said. "He seems like a great coach, great guy. I think we're all really excited right now."
Over the coming weeks, Christian will continue to set the road map for how the Colonials will build toward the goal of contending for A-10 titles and NCAA Championship appearances.
In sharing his vision for the future, Christian reached for a memory from his past. As a player at Mount St. Mary's, he remembers coming into a raucous Smith Center to face a talented Colonials squad led by Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who threw down a highlight-reel dunk over Christian's best friend in a Buff and Blue victory.
The hard work toward getting back there began in earnest Monday and doesn't figure to slow down any time soon.
"What they were looking for, I felt like that was basically me," Christian said. "Having an opportunity to work alongside people that see the game and see the world and see the university the same way, those opportunities don't come up every day.
And when they do, you've got to jump on them and work really hard at them."
Hours before he looked out over a packed crowd gathered for his introductory press conference and declared "I'm fired up to be your coach!", the new GW men's basketball coach showed it by putting the Colonials through an energetic predawn workout.
It's been a thrilling whirlwind since Christian was hired last Thursday, but he's hit the ground running in Foggy Bottom. Monday offered more opportunity – via actions and words – to set the tone for the future of the program.
"We stand here with an opportunity to do something really, really special," Christian told the assembled group of media and supporters. "Everything we want to achieve is right here in front of us. We've just got to go for it."
In its six-day search for a coach, GW leadership agreed Christian was the right man for the job and worked quickly to make it reality.
President Thomas J. LeBlanc praised Christian's "energy" and "optimism" in introducing him Monday, while Director of Athletics & Recreation Tanya Vogel ticked off a laundry list of qualities that made the new coach a perfect fit.
"In Jamion Christian, we have a true champion," Vogel said. "He is the complete package."
Christian is eager for the challenge after leading his alma mater Mount St. Mary's to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and then turning around Siena in rapid fashion.
The New Kent, Va., native arrives with a deep appreciation of the program's rich history and a proven formula for success with an entertaining brand of hoops dubbed "Mayhem" that comes with a straight forward mission statement.
"Love is accountability and accountability is love," Christian told his players from the podium. "You're going to get so tired of hearing that, but you're going to get so good at understanding the importance of it."
The Colonials got their first glimpse of Christian in action Sunday when he held individual introductions followed by a team meeting.
On Monday, they got started as soon as they could with a brisk session that belied the early wake-up call.
"The energy was definitely there," junior captain Adam Mitola said. "He seems like a great coach, great guy. I think we're all really excited right now."
Over the coming weeks, Christian will continue to set the road map for how the Colonials will build toward the goal of contending for A-10 titles and NCAA Championship appearances.
In sharing his vision for the future, Christian reached for a memory from his past. As a player at Mount St. Mary's, he remembers coming into a raucous Smith Center to face a talented Colonials squad led by Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who threw down a highlight-reel dunk over Christian's best friend in a Buff and Blue victory.
The hard work toward getting back there began in earnest Monday and doesn't figure to slow down any time soon.
"What they were looking for, I felt like that was basically me," Christian said. "Having an opportunity to work alongside people that see the game and see the world and see the university the same way, those opportunities don't come up every day.
And when they do, you've got to jump on them and work really hard at them."
Players Mentioned
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