Football | 8/10/2016 1:25:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - Fans and media can be seen on the sidelines observing the practice. In addition, four special people to Georgia Southern football can be seen on the sidelines of most practices - the wife and children of head coach Tyson Summers.

Throughout spring practice and now in the preseason, Beth Summers has brought their three sons - Jake (8), Walker (6) and Anderson (2) - to as many practices as their schedule allows to give the children an opportunity to see their dad during his most busy time of the year. With school beginning soon, those days are numbered for the boys. So with snacks packed, and a side of waters and patience also in hand, the First Lady of Georgia Southern Football brings the boys out to the facility to run around, hang out and be with their second family.

"The guys are working 18-20 hours days, seven days a week during football season, so this is usually the only time the boys get to see Tyson," Beth Summers said. "Once the kids get into to school, we get a lot more busy so we're not able to come, but during their summer break we try to come as much as possible."

Coach Summers, a native of South Georgia, was the defensive coordinator at Colorado State last year and Mrs. Summers is exciting about the family moving down to the South. 

"The people are obviously a lot more friendly, you get more 'ma'am' and 'sir' than you normally don't get in Colorado," Beth Summers said. "We're close to the beach and to all our family. We love our church here and the boys enjoy Splash in the Boro and The Clubhouse, so it has been great."

The three young boys have a blast being at the practice with the two oldest spending time kicking a soccer ball around the pavilion, playing on the tackling dummies and wandering toward the field until the watchful eye of Mrs. Summers commands them back.

"They like the tackling dummies, making obstacle courses out of the equipment, and trying out the exercise machines," she said recently at practice, keeping a watchful eye on the trio. "The boys are big into sports, so we love the rec department here in Statesboro."

"My wife does a great job," Coach Summers said. "She gets them over here every day at some point either during practice or during my downtime in the afternoon. 

"It's a struggle and the shame of it is that the burden falls on our wives, but our kids are the people who really have a hard time; because you come out of a period in the summer where you have more time and freedom," he continued, reflecting on the balance between coach and father. "Then, you turn around during the season and you're awake before they are and home after they're in bed. But if you have a great wife like I do, you can make it work."

Practice No. 11 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. Dates, times and locations of football practices are subject to change and may be impacted by weather conditions. Practices are open to the public, but any filming, recording or photography is limited to members of the media only. The full schedule is below.

Georgia Southern won the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl in its first bowl-eligible season, finishing 6-2 in the conference and 8-4 overall. The Eagles, who return 37 lettermen and 12 starters to the 2016 squad, were picked to finished third the Sun Belt in the league's preseason coaches' poll.

Fans can purchase 2016 season tickets and select their seats online, by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting the ticket office in the Cowart Building adjacent to Paulson Stadium (203 Lanier Drive). Ticket office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Season tickets prices start as low as $75 for all five games.

Meet the Eagles Fan Fest
The GS Football Team will hold its annual Meet the Eagles Fan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 13. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. and the football team will hold an open scrimmage from 9-11:30 a.m. at Paulson Stadium before the event. The Fan Fest will be from noon-2 p.m. The public is invited to the scrimmage and fans will be allowed to come on the field at noon. The North Concourse will be the only side open and fans may enter through Gate 12 near Bishop Field House.

Between the end of the scrimmage and the start of Fan Fest, fans can expect to hear a few words from head football coach Tyson Summers after he dismisses the team to their locker room. The event will be the last preseason scrimmage and the athletics department will have activities on the field after the scrimmage, including inflatables for the kids, 2016 football posters and schedule cards, a dunk tank, face painting, ticket information, cheerleaders, and the fall sport teams will be available for autographs. Concessions will be available during the scrimmage and during the Fan Fest. Additionally, the University Store will be open for fans to purchase all of their adidas gear to get ready for the season.

Fans will be allowed to get autographs from their favorite football players and Coach Summers at the festival. In addition, the soccer squads and volleyball team, along with all three respective coaches, will also be in attendance, grouped on the field. Fans can bring in outside items to be signed and posters from each sport will be provided free of charge to those who wish to get one signed. Fans will also be able to mingle with the student-athletes during the autograph session and kids can play catch, kick a ball or pass a volleyball around with the players. Also, the lobby area of the Ted Smith Family Football Center will be open during Fan Fest from 12-2 p.m.

Meet the Eagles Fan Fest is free and open to fans of all ages. Parking is also free.

Season ticket holders may also come and pick up their season ticket packets beginning that day. Additionally, donors may pick up their benefit packets at this event.

Georgia Southern Preseason Practice Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Thurs., Aug. 11 (9:30 AM- 12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 12 (9:30 AM- 12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Sat., Aug. 13 (9:30 AM- 11:30 AM, Paulson); Fan Fest (12-2 PM, Paulson)
Sun., Aug. 14 (TBD)
Mon., Aug. 15 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek); Day 1 (8 PM, Paulson)
Tues., Aug. 16 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 17 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 18 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 19 (4-6:30 PM, Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 20 (TBD)
Sun., Aug. 21 (TBD)
Mon., Aug. 22 (4-6:30 PM, Paulson)
Tues., Aug. 23 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 24 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 25 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 26 (4-6:30 PM, Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 27 (TBD)
Sun., Aug. 28 (TBD)