Players Mentioned
Eagles Aid Operation Move-In as the Masses Descend On Campus
8/14/2015 4:08:00 PM | Football
School begins on Monday at Georgia Southern
PHOTO GALLERY
STATESBORO, Ga. – "Find some work, it's not going to find you!"
"You found the water, now find some work!"
With school beginning on Monday, Georgia Southern's campus was buzzing with returning students, new students, parents and moving trucks all day Friday. But it was head coach Willie Fritz who took over, making sure his players helped out around campus. While he barked out orders like he does on the field, he was also the first one to hop into a truck bed and take care of some heavy lifting.
While numerous groups were helping out, there was one group which stood out due their size and the amount helping out. Members of the Georgia Southern football team were out in full force on campus for Operation Move-In Friday, helping students move in to their dorms while educating them about Georgia Southern athletics and the Eagle Nation. The team was a huge help when it came to hauling the bigger items like refrigerators, clothing trunks and the one item college kids can't do without - big-screen televisions.
"It's very, very important," Fritz. "This is the 23rd year in a row my team has helped out with moving in the student body. It's a lot of fun to get out there with the students and lend a helping hand. I tell my guys all the time that we're student-athletes, but we're still a part of the student body. This is a chance to get to know their fellow athletes and we like the chance to add a personal touch to Georgia Southern."
After an early-morning practice, the football team dispersed among Eagle Village, Southern Pines and Southern Courtyard residence halls as both student-athletes and coaches welcomed students and parents and lent a helping hand.
"As a team, us coming out here and helping the community and fellow students is an opportunity to support our fans," said Montay Crockett, a junior receiver from Rock Hill, South Carolina. "It also shows that we have good character and are willing to pitch in and help out."
The fun continues Saturday as fans will have the opportunity to Meet the Eagles at the Fan Fest after the football team's scrimmage. Gates are set to open at 8 a.m., and members of the Georgia Southern football, volleyball, men's soccer and women's soccer teams will sign autographs for approximately an hour in Paulson Stadium starting at 11 a.m., after the scrimmage ends.
The autograph session will be held on the north concourse and fans can enter through Gate 12. All fans coming for the scrimmage are asked to sit in the lower section of the north side. No filming, photography or any type of live broadcast/streaming will be allowed.
Georgia Southern caps the first day of classes Monday by teaching traditions to the newest members of Eagle Nation during the third annual Day One celebration at Paulson Stadium at 9 p.m. DAY ONE is designed as a pep rally to kick off the new academic year. Gates open at 7 p.m. Students will fill up the entire student section in Paulson Stadium for Day One to learn our traditions, chants, fight song and alma mater. Interim President Dr. Jean E. Bartels, Coach Fritz and Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein will speak at the event. Day One will also feature the Southern Pride Marching Band, Georgia Southern Cheerleaders, GUS, and Freedom, the University's mascot.
The Eagles open their 2015 season on Sept. 5 with a trip to Morgantown, West Virginia, to take on the Mountaineers. Join the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation for its football bus trip Sept. 4-5, and watch the game at Milan Puskar Stadium. Click here for more info and to register online. http://www.gseagles.com/news/2015/8/5/GSUAF_0805150502.aspx
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.
