Spring Football Begins Monday
3/21/2011 3:16:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Football team, now with a full year of experience under its belt with Eagles Coach Jeff Monken, begins spring ball on Monday, March 21st. The first of 15 days of practice kicks off at 3:45 p.m.
For the first and third weeks of the spring, the Eagles will hold practices on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with morning sessions on Saturdays. The second week, practices are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Friday with a morning workout on Saturday. The Eagles will practice on Tuesday and Thursday of the final week leading up to the annual Blue-White Spring game, on Friday, April 15th at 7 p.m.
Schedule and location are subject to change. Practices are open to the public, but any filming, recording or photography is limited to members of the media only.
2011 SPRING PRACTICE DATES
Monday, March 21
Tuesday, March 22
Thursday, March 24
Saturday, March 26
Monday, March 28
Tuesday, March 29
Friday, April 1
Saturday, April 2
Monday, April 4
Tuesday, April 5
Thursday, April 7
Saturday, April 9
Tuesday, April 12
Thursday, April 14
Friday, April 15 (Spring Game)
COACHES CLINIC DATE SET
Georgia Southern will hold a spring Coaches Clinic Friday-Saturday, April 1-2, with coaching sessions and chalk talks with the Eagles' staff. For additional information, contact Vic Cabral at (912) 478-5522 or by fax at (912) 478-5059. The Coaches' Clinic brochure and the full schedule of events is available on the GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com website. Coaches who pre-register pay $30 while those who register on the day of the clinic will be charged $40.
SEASON TICKET RENEWALS MAILED
Season ticket renewal packages have been mailed to all 2010 football season ticket holders with the option to renew those locations by June 1. For additional information or questions about season tickets, please call the Georgia Southern Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GSU-WINS (478-9467) or (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467). Fans may also stop by the office at 203 Lanier Drive, Statesboro, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
EAGLE FUND INFORMATION
The Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation mailed Eagle Fund information to current donors with a information on donor benefits, options for giving, the priority point system, Paulson Stadium seating and game day parking. Deadline for Eagle Fund renewals or applications is June 1, 2011. For more information, call the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation at (912) 478-5520.
BBQ PLATE DINNER TO SUPPORT AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
To support the Statesboro/Bulloch County team of local businessman Bubba Hunt and Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken in the quest to raise the most money in the American Diabetes Association's “Kiss the Pig” contest, tickets for BBQ plates are now on sale. Plates are $10 each and can be picked up from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hanner Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 26th. Items on the plate include pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, bread and peach cobbler. The Eagles Football coaching staff and players will be at Hanner Fieldhouse Saturday to sign autographs and meet fans when they pick up their plates. BBQ plate tickets are only available through pre-sale. To purchase tickets, call Bubba Hunt at 912-682-0050 or stop by any Car City or Pawn City location.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
The annual Blue-White game will have a different look as it will be played on Friday, April 15th at 7 p.m. as the final scrimmage of the spring. Admission is free. Special events leading up to the game include a tailgate in support of the ADA “Kiss a Pig” fundraising campaign for the Statesboro/Bulloch County team of Bubba Hunt and Coach Monken, a Little Eagles Football Skills Clinic from 5-6 p.m. and the Blue-White Eagle Rally immediately following the clinic.
HEALING PROCESS
The 15-practice spring football period provides the critical time needed to heal from bumps, bruises and other injuries. Sophomore nose tackle Brent Russell, sophomore linebackers Josh Rowe and Darius Eubanks as well as junior cornerback Laron Scott will miss spring drills. Junior defensive end Dion DuBose will miss all of spring practice as will junior linebacker K.R. Snipes and sophomore offensive lineman Chris Gray. Sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Bryne is taking a medical leave of absence. Junior quarterback Jaybo Shaw will be limited to non-contract drills. Freshman defensive lineman Blake Riley may be able to start limited action later in the spring.
BACK IN ACTION
Deion Stanley, who missed the entire 2010 football season with a leg injury has been cleared to participate. After suffering a broken leg in the season opener against Savannah State, Jonathan Bryant will rejoin the Eagles for practice. Also cleared to practice are slotback Nico Hickey and linebacker Christian Jordan.
ROSTER TRANSACTIONS
Several individuals who participated as members of the 2010 Football team will not return for 2011. Jared Flowers, Brett Layson and Alex Bradford will graduate early and forego their final year of eligibility. Two former players will assist with other team-related functions. Bryant Meeks will assist the strength and conditioning staff and Garrett Smith will assist as an undergraduate student coach. Will Banks, Lamar Brown, Wilson Brown, Hunter Gay, Lester Green, Brandon Nolley, Nelson Olofindayo, Darries Robinson, Zeke Rozier, Hanson Sachs, Wynn Stinespring, Jamichael Tatum and Justin Wilson are no longer with the team. Martez Eastland and Zach Rekkers have been suspended from the team until further notice.
