Back Home: Eagles to Return to Where It All Began
8/19/2019 10:15:00 AM | Football
Savannah Fan Fest set for Memorial Stadium Friday
SEASON TICKETS
STATESBORO – It has been 35 years since the Georgia Southern football team played its first NCAA game at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, but the venue is still regarded as a key figure in the program's rich history and tradition. Friday night, the Eagles return to where it all officially began when they host the 2019 Savannah Fan Fest.
STATESBORO – It has been 35 years since the Georgia Southern football team played its first NCAA game at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, but the venue is still regarded as a key figure in the program's rich history and tradition. Friday night, the Eagles return to where it all officially began when they host the 2019 Savannah Fan Fest.
Prior to 1984, the Eagles had spent the previous two seasons as a club team building toward NCAA Division I-AA status, playing 1982 as members of the NAIA and 1983 as members of NCAA Unclassified. Georgia Southern kicked off the modern-era of Georgia Southern football with a 14-0 win over Florida A&M on Sept. 1, 1984 at Savannah's Memorial Stadium. The Rattlers entered the contest as 18-point favorites, having won the national title six years prior in 1978.
Quarterback Tracy Ham, who currently serves as Georgia Southern University's Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations, was responsible both touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) and says that it doesn't seem like that long ago.
"Thirty-five years seems like just yesterday," said Ham who recently visited Memorial Stadium for the first time since the game. "The time has passed relatively quickly and most of our fans probably wouldn't even remember this stadium being part of our history. For us players, we remember it very fondly."
Construction on the brand-new Allen E. Paulson ran a bit longer than hoped for and the team didn't know they would open the season outside Statesboro until the last minute.
"We were all pumped up about playing at home, but we found out the week of the game that we actually wouldn't," said Ham. "We had no history of playing here so it really was a neutral site."
Despite the site change and hot temperatures, over 12,000 Eagle fans packed Memorial to cheer on the Eagles. Ham connected on a 54-yard pass to Monty Sharpe with 4:27 remaining in the first half to put the Eagles on the board first. Late in the third quarter, Ham rushed in from 3 yards out to give the game its eventual final. Tim Foley added both extra points. All three scorers went on to play professionally.
"We really didn't play anywhere near the level we could have," said Ham. "I remember our defense doing a tremendous job of keeping us in the game. On that particular day, we were just good enough to get the win."
About the Savannah Fan Fest:
The Savannah Fan Fest will be at Memorial Stadium Friday, Aug. 23 from 5-7:30 p.m. located at 101 John J. Scott Dr, Savannah, GA 31406. Parking and entry are free to fans of all ages and there are lots on both sides of the stadium.
The Fan Fest will consist of a light football practice, inflatables for the kids and an autograph session. It will also be a great time for students on the GS Armstrong Campus to learn our football game day chants and traditions. Fans will also enjoy music from members of the Southern Pride Marching Band, in addition to the cheerleaders and GUS.
Before the practice, at 5 p.m., the Georgia Southern volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer teams will be offering a free clinic for kids ages 12 and under on the field. The football team will begin its practice at 6 p.m.
Guest speakers for the evening include University President Dr. Kyle Marrero, head football coach Chad Lunsford, and SGA Executive Vice President Spencer DeMink.
Fans may bring their own items to be autographed but free 2019 football posters will be provided. Photos may be taken, but selfies and posed photographs that hold up the line will not be permitted so that everyone can get their items signed in the allotted time.
The Athletics Ticket Office will be on-site for those who want to purchase football season tickets, single-game tickets, group tickets, away game tickets and parking. Volleyball, men's and women's soccer and men's and women's basketball season tickets will also be available for purchase. Please note: Football season ticket packets and Eagle Fund membership benefits will not be available for pick up at the Savannah Fan Fest.
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