Eagles Have Eventful First Day at Camellia Bowl
12/11/2018 9:45:00 PM | Football
Both teams arrive in Montgomery to begin preparations
PHOTO GALLERY
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Georgia Southern Eagles kicked off their bowl week with a day of travel, meetings and some gift suite shopping at the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
After lifting, meeting and receiving treatment, the Eagles' entire travel party of well over 200 left Statesboro at 11 a.m. on six charter buses for the five-hour trip to Montgomery. After the long ride, the players were met with Chic-fil-A and some media at the hotel and got checked in Embassy Suites before having a team meeting to go over everything for the week. A member of the Montgomery police department briefed the team on the best places to go - and not to go - in downtown Montgomery, along with other useful items. It was a quick meeting, but the players got the point.
We're here! Great to be in Montgomery for the @CamelliaBowl pic.twitter.com/PjEMxWtdSk
— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) December 11, 2018
After a quick meal for the players, the team then lined up for what's one of the biggest perks of a bowl game: the gear. The players already received a bunch of adidas and bowl swag after Monday's practice, but got even more on Tuesday evening. Each player and coach received five points to pick out one big gift or several smaller ones based on how many points they wanted to use. For example, one could use all five points on a Yeti cooler, Michael Kors watch or other big ticket items. The gifts ranged from five points for the big gifts down to one point for a dart board, a crock pot or ear buds. The players took a long time to pick out their items with some even calling home to find out what friends and family might want for Christmas.
Gift suite time. Lot of important decisions being made right now! @CamelliaBowl pic.twitter.com/3Q6d6fD6KD
— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) December 12, 2018
Head coach Chad Lunsford met with the media at the Union Station Train Shed as both head coaches talked to local and each team's media. The staff and families had an ESPN party on the Harriott II riverboat which included music and food. A couple of the players went to Escapology with Matt Wise to try and get out of the escape room!Welcome to the Bowl Gift Suite.
— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) December 12, 2018
Lets Get It.#GATA 💰 pic.twitter.com/DvRMDwIcev
Press Conference is Underway. @chadlunsford addressing media and @CamelliaBowl organizers here in Montgomery @WJCLNews pic.twitter.com/9hL3k0OHUS
— Frank Sulkowski WJCL (@TheBigGuyWJCL) December 11, 2018
Eagles are in Montgomery. Little bowl game fun with Escapology with these guys tonight! I'll let you know how we do... #Th3Cod3 #escapologymontgomery pic.twitter.com/43tvAQyDck
— Matt Wise (@MattWise97) December 12, 2018
The players have a curfew of 1 a.m., so Coach Lunsford is trusting his players to be smart in this town and reminded them it's a business trip. This team has a chance to make history with a 10th win and to send out the seniors on a high note.
On Wednesday, the wives and kids will go to the Montgomery Zoo and the players will have a bowling outing in the evening after an early afternoon practice.
The Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 4:30 p.m. (CT)/5;30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN. Tickets are still available through GSEagles.com/Bowl.
The GATA Zone - Women's Basketball Post Season
Tuesday, March 03
2026 Only For Southern
Thursday, February 26
2026 Georgia Southern Football Ticket Video
Wednesday, February 25
The GATA Zone - Air Rifle
Thursday, February 19
