College of Education and Human Development

Alumnus Sam Greenslade ’20 Returns to Mason Men’s Volleyball, Blending Coaching, Analytics, and Heart

When Sam Greenslade ’20 walks into the gym at George Mason University, it feels like coming home. The former standout outside hitter for George Mason Men’s Volleyball has returned—not as a player, but as the program’s new assistant coach—bringing with him a unique blend of athletic experience, coaching insight, and a passion for data-driven leadership.

“George Mason was a place that changed my life in many ways,” Greenslade says. “I grew as a person, student, and athlete, made lifelong friends, and met my wife here. Coaching is an amazing career because I get to help young people pursue that same kind of life-changing experience. Returning to GMU, I believe I can achieve that even more because of the personal connections we share.”

Greenslade’s academic journey is equally inspiring and strongly connected to George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). He graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the College of Science, while also minoring in Sport Management through CEHD—a combination that turned out to be a game-changer.

“The world of sport is constantly growing toward a more analytical approach,” he explains. “My background in math helps me recognize patterns and trends that most coaches may not, or at least not as quickly. But my Sport Management minor helped me keep the human element in focus. It taught me how to balance what the numbers say with what athletes truly need.”

That balance became even more refined after earning a graduate certificate in Business Analytics from George Mason’s Costello College of Business. Now, as a coach, Greenslade sees numbers not just as stats, but as stories that reveal trends over time.

“All coaches see stats, and it’s easy to overreact in the moment,” he says. “I focus on cause and effect—understanding what tends to happen next so we can get ahead of it. It’s not about reacting, but recognizing patterns and making proactive decisions.”

However, Greenslade is quick to emphasize that coaching is about more than data points. For him, relationships always come first. “I want to know who my athletes are outside of volleyball,” he says. “Not everyone cares about the numbers as much as I do, and that’s okay. I don’t throw stats at them—but if they’re curious, I’ll walk them through it and help them see what the numbers really mean.”

One of his favorite uses of data? Helping players realize their “bad days” often aren’t as bad as they think. “Often, athletes think they played terribly based on surface stats,” he explains. “But when we dig deeper, they see they only struggled in one or two areas, while everything else was solid. That insight helps them move past frustration and focus on growth.”

As he steps into this new chapter at Mason, Greenslade is energized by the team’s future. “I’m excited to rejoin the family atmosphere here,” he says. “These young men are incredible, and they’re surrounded by such a strong support system—from families and alumni to staff and friends of the program. My role is to keep building on those traditions while introducing fresh ideas I’ve gained from other programs.”

For Greenslade, success is measured by more than wins and losses. “In the gym, we strive to develop hard-working young men who are committed to something bigger than themselves,” he says. “Off the court, we want them to be leaders across campus—in classes, clubs, and friend groups. People should know GMU Men’s Volleyball as a group that can be counted on.”

His advice to current CEHD Sport Management students or aspiring coaches? Be curious—and take full advantage of the incredible faculty. “The Sport Management professors in CEHD aren’t just great teachers—they have amazing stories and experiences,” he says. “Ask them about those. Books can only take you so far, but the real-life stories and lessons they share are priceless.”

Looking back, Greenslade also has advice for today’s George Mason student-athletes juggling classes, practice, and life. “Find something exciting in every part of your life here—whether it’s sport, academics, or community involvement,” he says. “That way, there’s always something to look forward to, even on the longest days. It makes everything more rewarding.”

As he embarks on this new chapter at George Mason, Sam Greenslade is a proud example of how CEHD alumni are blending leadership, analytics, and heart—on and off the court