Football | 8/14/2017 12:00:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern University football program will hold a practice in Savannah on Friday, Aug. 18, at Armstrong State University's soccer field as part of its preseason preparations for the season opener at Auburn University. The practice, followed by the Meet the Eagles Fan Fest, will mark the first time in program history the Georgia Southern Eagles will practice on Armstrong's campus. Both events are free and open to the public.

In addition to the Eagles and the coaching staff, Georgia Southern University President Jaimie L. Hebert, Ph.D., and Armstrong State University Interim President Jennifer L. Frum, Ph.D., will join in on the excitement and will address the crowd following the practice as the 2017 Georgia Southern football program is introduced to the Savannah community. Also on hand will be Georgia Southern's Southern Pride Marching Band and cheerleaders, along with the University's mascot "GUS" and live eagle mascot "Freedom."

Weather permitting, gates will open at 5 p.m., with the team holding a pre-practice walk-through from 5:15-6 p.m. The actual practice will begin at 6 p.m. and will run approximately 90 minutes.

The Meet the Eagles Fan Fest for Armstrong and Georgia Southern students and the Savannah community will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. Activities for this free celebration include door prizes for fans, inflatables, face painting, an autograph session with the players and Head Football Coach Tyson Summers, and much more.

Armstrong and Georgia Southern students with a valid student ID will receive a T-shirt and free pizza (while supplies last) and have the chance to win prize packs, such as a $250 Adidas gear package, an Auburn away game football travel package and select home game football sideline passes.

Free parking is available at the Sports Center on the Armstrong campus. Refreshments from a food truck and concessions are available for purchase during the event. For a map of Armstrong's campus, click here.

Georgia Southern will open its 2017 football season on Sept. 2 at nationally ranked Auburn University, and will play five home games in Statesboro at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Tickets are available by visiting GSEagles.com/Tickets or by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 118 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.