This spirited student group generates enthusiasm and excitement at all home football and basketball events, as well as taking part in various campus activities. Performing for thousands of spectators throughout the basketball season, the group travels to the play-off finals each March to support the men's and women's teams. "The Green Machine" provides a unique link between music and athletics, and often makes appearances with the cheerleaders, Masonettes, and Gunston, the mascot. This popular organization offers many scholarships to students, and provides a musical opportunity for all GMU students to participate in promoting school spirit and morale.
In 2006, "The Green Machine" won the Battle of the Bands at the NCAA Final Four Tournament as the only student-led group, competing against the other schools involved (UCLA, LSU, and Florida). A panel of judges based the winners of each portion of the competition on fan participation, overall band sound, and audience response. "The Green Machine" has also performed for a wide variety of audiences and events on a national level, including Hardball with Chris Matthews, The Today Show, the Marine Corps Marathon, local news and radio programs, various sporting events including basketball and football, an official rally for a presidential candidate, national charity events, and minor league baseball games. In addition to media appearances, the band has also been featured in printed articles, including the Washington Post, Fairfax County Times, South County Chronicle, Mason Gazette, Mason Milestones,
and Mason Nation.
