Georgia Southern alumni and friends from near and far return to campus and the Statesboro community to celebrate Homecoming. The week of activities continues with the Homecoming parade Friday, which starts at Paulson Stadium at 4 p.m. and ends at Sweetheart Circle. Watch for the Eagle Football seniors and enjoy the celebration on Sweetheart Circle after the parade and before the Eagle Men's Basketball team takes to the court!

FIRST, A LITTLE ROUNDBALL

The Mark Byington era begins Friday night at Hanner Fieldhouse as the Georgia Southern Men's Basketball team tips off the 2013-14 season with Columbia International at 7:30 p.m. The Southern Pride Marching Band will perform in concert for Eagle fans  beginning at 5:30 p.m. Early admission $1 game tickets are available from 5:15 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

SAME TIME, NEW PLACE

WTOC's Tailgate Show will move to Hanner Fieldhouse Friday at part of the opening night festivities for the Georgia Southern Men's Basketball team.

SELLOUT FOR THE SENIORS

Eagle fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets for Saturday's game and arrive early for the pre-game ceremony to honor Georgia Southern's 22-member senior class. Plan to be in your seats no later than 1:30 p.m. for the start of the program for William Banks, Robert Brown, Johnathan Bryant, Dorian Byrd, Carlos Cave, Luke Cherry, Josh Gebhardt, Torrance Hunt, Allen Lee, Zach Lonas, Javonte Martin, Bryant Meeks, Javon Mention, Kyle Oehlbeck, George Osunde, Blake Riley, Josh Rowe, Darius Safford, Michael Shealy, Michael Spaulding and Lavelle Westbrooks.

PROMOTIONS & EVENTS AT SATURDAY'S GAME

Students can register to win $1,000 at the Georgia Lottery tent.

Former Eagle student-athletes, coaches, administrators, athletic trainers and managers will be recognizedat halftime of Saturday's game as part of Georgia Southern's All-Sports Reunion weekend and GATA Club.

Chester Webb, the state of Georgia's first All-American in the sport of basketball and Georgia Southern's all-time leading scorer is a pre-game honorary captain.

University Provost Jean Bartels and College of Education Dean Thomas Koballa will participate in the coin flip as part of the Teachers Club celebration.

The "T" Club, comprised of "Teachers" student-athletes who graduated in the mid-century will hold its reunion on Saturday.

Country music artist and alumnae Elizabeth Cook will sing the national anthem and perform at halftime with Georgia Southern University Southern Pride Marching Band.

Georgia Southern's Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime.

BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNINGS

Saturday's uniform, consisting of a blue and gray rugby-style jersey, gray pants and blue and gray striped socks, is a throwback to the Georgia Teacher's College football teams, which took to the field from 1924-1941. The helmet, a throwback in paint scheme only, features a two-tone "winged" helmet with "Teachers" on the front and "1906" on the nose bumper.   

"We wanted a way to honor the beginnings of this University as well as our football team as we make the journey to the FBS and the Sun Belt Conference, and this special jersey will allow us to do so," said Athletics Director Tom Kleinlein.

Fans can purchase a limited edition replica jersey at the University Bookstore. Adult and toddler sizes (0-18 months) are available.

HASHTAG TRUE BLUE

Eagle fans are encouraged to use the following #hashtags on social media:

#TRUEBLUE

#HAILSOUTHERN

#JOINTHEJOURNEY

#EAGLENATION

#PACKPAULSON

#GATA

GEORGIA SOUTHERN-WESTERN CAROLINA SERIES

Meeting annually since 1993 after Georgia Southern joined the Southern Conference, the Eagles are 21-2 all-time against the Catamounts. The two programs have three meetings prior to their current conference affiliate with the first contest taking place in 1941 in Cullowhee with a 14-7 Catamount win followed by two Eagle wins in 1987 and 1991. Georgia Southern has posted 18 straight wins in the series dating back to 1995. 

STUDENT TICKET PICKUP

Each student is allowed one ticket per athletic-fee-paying student and tickets may be picked up in advance of the game. Each student and his or her ID must be presented at the Georgia Southern Athletics Ticket Office (Cowart Building) Friday from 9 a.m­.-5 p.m. and at the exhibition Men's Basketball game Friday night at Hanner Fieldhouse. If tickets are still available, students may pick up beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cowart Building. Students can enter Paulson Stadium with their ticket and ID at gates 1 and 7. Gate 1 is located at the corner of Lanier and Chandler while Gate 7 is located near the shuttle turnaround on Malecki Drive. 

VIDEO STREAMING OF SATURDAY'S GAME

Fans not able to travel to Statesboro this weekend can watch the game live on Georgia Southern Athletics' new GS All-Access. A single-day package is $5.95 with a full-year subscription priced at $79.95. For more information, visit HERE.  After the game, check in to watch post-game interviews and Coach Jeff Monken's press conference.

PARDON OUR JOURNEY

STADIUM INFORMATION

BIG changes are underway at Allen E. Paulson Stadium and for this season, some patience will be required as some usually traversed areas will not be available. Please plan to arrive at Paulson Stadium earlier and allow ample time to enter the gates.

GET ON THE BUS, LITERALLY

SHUTTLE MAP

A free gameday shuttle for Georgia Southern fans and guests is available with service from five stops beginning 2.5 hours prior to kickoff and running for an hour after the official game time end. "Football Shuttle Stop" signs are posted so fans may identify the shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations. Average round trip is 17-20 minutes depending on traffic. From the Russell Union shuttle stop, it would not be unreasonable to plan for a 15-minute travel time prior to the game. Most of the buses in the shuttle fleet are handicap accessible with wheelchair lifts.

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS (2-7, 1-4) 

at

GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES (4-4, 2-4)

Saturday, November 9, 2013, 2 p.m. ET

HOMECOMING     SENIOR DAY    ALL-SPORTS REUNION

Allen E. Paulson Stadium (Grass) // Statesboro, Ga.

Tickets: Tickets available at GSEagles.com and by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS.

Radio: Georgia Southern Radio Network and online at GSEagles.com 

Video Streaming: GSEagles.com/showcase (Subscription)

Game Notes: Western Carolina  / Georgia Southern

Western Carolina Media Guide / Georgia Southern Media Guide

Live Stats: GSEagles.com

Social Media:  Twitter @GSAthletics  Facebook.com/GSAthletics 

All-Time Series: GS leads 21-2, 11-0 at Paulson Stadium

First Game: 1941, WC 14-7

Last Game: Georgia Southern 45, Western Carolina 13 (Oct. 6, 2012)

Streak: Georgia Southern, 18 wins