Wednesday of each week during the football season Georgia Southern Athletics will catch up with a former coach, administrator, student-athlete, trainer, cheerleader, etc. to see where they are now and how their time at Georgia Southern helped get them there.
A four-year football letterman from 1987-90, Joe Ross helped the Eagles post two Division I-AA national championships in 1989 and 1990. Ross was one of Erk's last Eagles and was a member of the perfect 15-0 1989 team. One of the great running backs in Georgia Southern history, he is a member of the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame and a three-time All-America selection. Ross finished his GSU career with 3,876 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.
Current Employment: Senior Program Manager at SunTrust Bank
Can you give fans an idea on what you are doing now?
JR: I work in the banking field on IT projects as a program manager. I have slowly migrated myself from a business analyst to a senior program manager. I am married with two young kids, ages 2 and 4, living in Roswell, Ga. When I graduated from college, I moved to Savannah and worked there a little while. I then moved to Atlanta for some more opportunities and while I was there I got a graduate degree from Georgia State. I then started working in consulting and traveled quite a bit. After I got married and had a child I could no longer travel as much, so I transitioned over to the financial services industry which led to where I am now.
What are some of the most memorable moments as an Eagle?
JR: Going 15-0 and winning the national championship in 1989 was one of the high points. Also being one of Erk's last Eagles and repeating in 1990 with basically the same team and a different coach, those really stick out to me.
What is one thing that you learned either in the classroom or on the field that you still use today?
JR: The Georgia Southern motto "Just One More Time." You can do anything just one more time. I use that philosophy at work when there is a project you have to do late at night or there is something that we need to improve on. I try to bring that mentality to my work career everyday. Working as hard as you can and G.A.T.A. get after it as much as you can and push as hard as you can and continue to try and improve.
What is your favorite Coach Russell Story?
JR: After I graduated and I was living in Savannah, I came back for a game. I was walking on the home side and ran into coach Russell. He looked at me and said, "You look great." I said, "I can play right now." He said, "Give me two plays." I said, "Sure I can give you two plays right now." He looked at me and said, "One block, one run" and walked away. He was saying that no matter how good you are you are going to have to give me something so that I can give you the ball.
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