STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern football team capped its Friday practice with a dip in Beautiful Eagle Creek, continuing the tradition of "baptizing" seniors of the program.
In the fifth year of this tradition, head coach Chad Lunsford waded into the "magical" waters of the creek along with the senior class. Also joining them was new Georgia Southern University President Shelley Nickel.
After practice, the players got down on a knee huddled around Coach Lunsford who offered praise of their camp - which ends Saturday with the team's first scrimmage - while pointing out areas the team can improve. Friday was the start of a big weekend for the team as they will also hold the Fan Fest at Paulson Stadium Saturday night.
When Lunsford was done, the team headed over to the creek and gathered around the banks near the sign marking Beautiful Eagle Creek. The 15 seniors on the team - Ellis Richardson, LaBaron Anthony, Kado Brown, Monteo Garrett, Deshon Cooper, Drake Grall, Ryan Northrup, Ian Bush, Wesley Fields, Joshua Moon, Sean Freeman, Tomarcio Reese, Jeremiah Culbreth, Curtis Rainey and Logan Hunt - and the new staff joined Lunsford and Nickel down the muddy shores to take a dip into the waters.
After a quick bite to eat back at the Ted Smith Family Football Center, the team broke up into six groups and dispersed around campus to help with Operation Move In, helping freshmen get all of their clothes, TVs, chairs, computers and whatnot into their new abodes.
The team will wrap up camp Saturday with an open scrimmage beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Paulson Stadium. It is open to the public and will be followed by an autograph session.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase 2018 season tickets and select their seats online by going to GSEagles.com/Tickets or by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS.
BACK STORY ON BEAUTIFUL EAGLE CREEK
When Georgia Southern resurrected the football program in 1981, traditions and spirit needed resurrection as well. So legendary Head Football Coach Erk Russell created his own. But inspiration came to him in the most unusual of places. Inspired by the gnat-infested drainage ditch that cut across the field between the team's locker room and practice fields, Russell convinced his players that its stagnant water was actually "Beautiful Eagle Creek," a source of "magical" waters.
SAVANNAH PRACTICE
Georgia Southern will take a practice on the road as it heads to Savannah for its 19th preseason practice. The Eagles will head east on I-16 and will practice on Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus on Friday, Aug. 24 from 6-7:30 PM. Following the completion of the practice, the team will hold a fan fest with autographs, inflatables, entertainment and much more.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In order to expedite entry and provide a safe environment for all patrons and participants, Georgia Southern Athletics has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for all ticketed sporting events, effective Aug. 1, 2017. Fans can find the complete policy as well as an FAQ section at GSEagles.com/ClearBag.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Sat., Aug. 11 (5:30 PM, Paulson - Scrimmage #1; Fan Fest)
Sun., Aug. 12 (8:15-9:45 AM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 13 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 14 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 15 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 16 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 17 (4:30-6:30 PM, Paulson - Scrimmage #2)
Sat., Aug. 18 (TBD, TBD)
Sun., Aug. 19 (7 PM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 20 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 21 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 22 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 23 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 24 (6-8 PM, Fan Fest to follow, Armstrong Campus - Savannah)
Sat., Aug. 25 (TBD, TBD)
Times and locations subject to change
