Football | 8/12/2016 2:03:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern football team began to put a bow on its preseason camp on Friday with a practice at Paulson Stadium. The P.A. system boomed across the summer air, playing the players' favorite tunes and directing them through the practice schedule. 

The team got a taste of playing on the new turf in pads before they do the same tomorrow for a scrimmage in front of Eagle Nation, directly followed by Meet the Eagles Fan Fest. The players are thrilled to finally compete in front of fans and continue the brotherly rivalry between offense and defense that has been brewing throughout camp. 

"It's very exciting, having that game-like atmosphere at Paulson Stadium. I think the excitement will be through the roof," said senior safety Vegas Harley of tomorrow's scrimmage. "We love doing Fan Fest and I know some of us have posters of ourselves that we ask the fans to sign, which is really special to us. Watching Georgia Southern grow over the years and how much we have changed, I can't put into words how much it means."

The new turf combined with the rising summer heat created a challenge for the players, but head coach Tyson Summers made sure the players' had ample opportunities to break for water and even had the team remove their shoulder pads for the final half hour of practice, as temperatures continued to rise.

"It's a constant grind, you have to come out here every day and put your mind to staying committed to getting better," said senior wide receiver BJ Johnson III. "Players toward the end of camp are sore and dinged up, but you're out here with your brothers. I think we did a great job of being there to push each other through the heat."

Preseason camp coming to a close signals that the regular season is near, but it also means that classes will be starting on Monday. The life of student-athlete begins and the players will have to balance their focus between academics and football.

"We tell them to lock in, time management is a big deal come fall," said senior linebacker Ironhead Gallon, giving advice to freshmen about the adjustment. "You have football and classes to deal with, so we just tell the younger guys to manage your time the proper way, stay focused and things will fall into place." 

Meet the Eagles Fan Fest
The GS Football Team will hold its annual Meet the Eagles Fan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 13. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. and the football team will hold an open scrimmage from 9-11:30 a.m. at Paulson Stadium before the event. The Fan Fest will be from noon-2 p.m. The public is invited to the scrimmage and fans will be allowed to come on the field at noon. The North Concourse will be the only side open and fans may enter through Gate 12 near Bishop Field House.

Between the end of the scrimmage and the start of Fan Fest, fans can expect to hear a few words from head football coach Tyson Summers after he dismisses the team to their locker room. The event will be the last preseason scrimmage and the athletics department will have activities on the field after the scrimmage, including inflatables for the kids, 2016 football posters and schedule cards, a dunk tank, face painting, ticket information, cheerleaders, and the fall sport teams will be available for autographs. Concessions will be available during the scrimmage and during the Fan Fest. Additionally, the University Store will be open for fans to purchase all of their adidas gear to get ready for the season.

More information on the dunk tank is available on social media as Tom Kleinlein, Tracy Ham, President Jaimie Hebert, along with players Ironhead Gallon, Matt Breida and Favian Upshaw will be in the tank.

Fans will be allowed to get autographs from their favorite football players and Coach Summers at the festival. In addition, the soccer squads and volleyball team, along with all three respective coaches, will also be in attendance, grouped on the field. Fans can bring in outside items to be signed and posters from each sport will be provided free of charge to those who wish to get one signed. Fans will also be able to mingle with the student-athletes during the autograph session and kids can play catch, kick a ball or pass a volleyball around with the players. Also, the lobby area of the Ted Smith Family Football Center will be open during Fan Fest from 12-2 p.m.

Meet the Eagles Fan Fest is free and open to fans of all ages. Parking is also free.

Season ticket holders may also come and pick up their season ticket packets beginning that day. Additionally, donors may pick up their benefit packets at this event.

Georgia Southern Preseason Practice Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Sat., Aug. 13 (9:30 AM- 11:30 AM, Paulson); Fan Fest (12-2 PM, Paulson)
Sun., Aug. 14 (TBD)
Mon., Aug. 15 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek); Day 1 (8 PM, Paulson)
Tues., Aug. 16 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 17 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 18 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 19 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek)
Sat., Aug. 20 (TBD)
Sun., Aug. 21 (TBD)
Mon., Aug. 22 (4-6:30 PM, Paulson)
Tues., Aug. 23 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 24 (4-6:30 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 25 (7:30-10 AM, Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 26 (4-6:30 PM, Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 27 (TBD)
Sun., Aug. 28 (TBD)