Update on Proposed Joint-Use Baseball-Cricket Stadium at George Mason University

Lynn Tierney — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:12:32 +0000

Update on Proposed Joint-Use Baseball-Cricket Stadium at George Mason University Lynn Tierney Fri, 03/01/2024 - 11:12

As George Mason University continues to explore the possibility of a temporary joint-use baseball-cricket stadium on the university’s West Campus in Fairfax, we wish to share important clarifications that we believe address urgent concerns of nearby neighbors.

To be clear, George Mason University and the Washington Freedom have no plans to, and will not, commence any construction on such a facility without first sitting down with our neighbors to hear their concerns in person and begin the meaningful dialogue that we have promised. We hear and respect your questions and concerns about the timing of the project and whether neighbors will have the opportunity to be heard up front. We assure you that you will.

In addition, the current schedule being discussed is for cricket matches to be played in July 2025. When cricket commences, enhancements associated with this opportunity will also bring benefits to the university and the community, which we also look forward to sharing with you.

Mason is in the advanced stages of scheduling in-person community meetings, and once confirmed the information will be shared through email notifications and through the West Campus Planning website.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

George Mason University

Sanjay Govil

Owner

Washington Freedom

Major League Cricket, George Mason, and Sanjay Govil Initiate Study for New World-Class Cricket and Baseball Facility

Melanie Balog — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:11:39 +0000

Major League Cricket, George Mason, and Sanjay Govil Initiate Study for New World-Class Cricket and Baseball Facility Melanie Balog Fri, 02/16/2024 - 17:11

Ballpark would host Major League Cricket matches and Mason baseball

Major League Cricket (MLC) and its Washington, D.C.-based investor Sanjay Govil announced today the approval to work with George Mason University (Mason) to study the feasibility of a new multi-purpose cricket and baseball facility. The ballpark would be designed to host Major League Cricket matches, Mason baseball games, and other events on the University’s Fairfax Campus in the Washington D.C. region.

Funding support for the study and plan development comes from Govil, a founding investor in MLC, the Founder and Chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions and the CEO of Zyter. The effort represents part of MLC’s long-term strategic plan for American cricket, which also includes the launch of the first U.S. professional Twenty20 cricket league.

With a goal to be operational by Summer 2025, the ballpark at Mason would be home to an MLC franchise in the heart of one of the largest cricket-loving populations in the United States and feature an international-grade pitch. The pitch would meet International Cricket Council (ICC) accreditation and allow the ballpark to host the highest level of international cricket competition.

“This study with Mason is an important milestone in a new era for Major League Cricket and international matches in the United States and brings new athletic resources to George Mason University and the region,” said Govil. “We look forward to taking the next steps to fully realize a vision for the first international cricket venue in the northeastern United States.”

“Mason is the educational, economic and cultural hub of one of the most dynamic regions in the country and is the most diverse public university in Virginia,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “This opportunity would bring the second-most popular global media sport to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and base it at a location known for attracting international students and audiences. At the same time, this proposed facility would enhance the Mason athletic experience for our student-athletes, alumni network, and fan base.”

Mason’s main campus is located in Fairfax County, VA, home to more than one million people, with a thriving global community and adult and youth cricket leagues which provide a significant base of grassroots support for cricket in the area.

In collaboration with Mason on an innovative cross-functional design that would maximize facility utilization, MLC is working with internationally renowned architects HKS, one of the nation’s leading architecture firms which is developing multiple cricket stadium concepts for MLC nationwide.

“Major League Cricket is grateful to George Mason University for working with us to plan an innovative facility that can maximize use for the venue during the college season for Mason baseball and then host world class cricket in the summer months,” said Sameer Mehta, co-founder, Major League Cricket.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tom Dunmore tom@majorleaguecricket.com

John Hollis jhollis2@gmu.edu

Maureen Nasser mnasser@gmu.edu

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE CRICKET

Major League Cricket will be the first professional Twenty20 cricket championship in the United States. Exclusively sanctioned by USA Cricket, Major League Cricket will feature top players from around the globe while also providing an opportunity for domestic cricketers to showcase their talents to a global audience, bringing world-class T20 cricket to America for the first time. For more information, visit www.majorleaguecricket.com and follow MLC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MLCricket

ABOUT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at gmu.edu.

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