As the calendar turns to fall and we get back to a normal routine, I thought now would be a good time to remind Eagle Nation of all the exciting things going on in our athletics department. Our men's and women's soccer teams both picked up wins over Coastal Carolina to begin their respective conference seasons, and volleyball recorded a Sun Belt win over ULM last weekend.

Obviously, we're looking forward to our first official home football game next Wednesday, October 4 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. We need you to show up and #PackPaulson in front of a national ESPN2 audience as the Eagles open up conference play against Arkansas State.

It will be nice to get back into Paulson Stadium after being away for over nine months. It's hard to believe our last home game was in December of last year. As you all know, we were supposed to open our home slate a few weeks ago, but the threat of Hurricane Irma changed that. While Statesboro was spared major damage, we had to make the decision to move the game early in the week based on the information and forecast we had at the time. I'm really proud of my staff and the way they handled this fluid situation. Big thanks also go out to UAB and the City of Birmingham for everything they did. The result wasn't what we were looking for on the field, but we did what was in the best interest of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and community.

We continue to collect items for the relief efforts due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. If you can donate anything to help out, it would be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to #FillTheTruck and to make deliveries of these goods in the affected areas by both hurricanes. You can bring your donations to any home football, men's or women's soccer games through October 17, or drop them off at either the Bishop Alumni Center or the Athletic Foundation and Ticket Office during normal business hours. It's going to be a great scene when our 18-wheeler rolls up to these areas to unload everything Eagle Nation has so generously donated.

Moving forward, we have four home football games remaining this season. I hope you come out to support our student-athletes and take advantage of seeing your Eagles on the field. Your support means a lot to the program and the department. We wouldn't be where we are without you. We also have a lot of other exciting events coming up. Women's soccer, softball and women's tennis play at home this weekend with men's soccer opening up the Rivalry Series with Georgia State on October 7 at home.

Your support of our student-athletes' during their competition is important and our student-athletes look forward to seeing you in their respective stadiums while representing you, "Eagle Nation". Our student-athletes represent our department vision, which is to achieve extraordinary things in the classroom, in competition and through their leadership. Come out and support them and our vision of the athletics department and #HailSouthern!

Finally, if you check out the new GSEagles.com, you'll see the recently released men's and women's basketball and baseball schedules so you can start making plans to join us for the rest of the year. Ticket renewals and new sales for all three of those sports are either ongoing or will begin soon, so be sure to get all of your information online or visit GSEagles.com/Tickets.


G.A.T.A.  - "Beat State"

Tom Kleinlein 
Director of Athletics, Georgia Southern University