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 sixth 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 Dr. Kyle Marrero.

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 second 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 President's Kickoff and Fan Fest at Paulson Stadium Saturday.

When Lunsford was done, President Marrero spoke to the team, telling them he has been looking forward to this day since he began on April 1.

The team then headed over to the creek and gathered around the banks near the sign marking Beautiful Eagle Creek. The 15 seniors on the team - Jay Bowdry, Colby Ransom, Lane Ecton, Jessie Liptort, Tyler Bass, Donald Rutledge Jr., Ryan White, Stedman Waiters, Derrick Newby Jr., Jakob Cooper, Monquavion Brinson, Kindle Vildor, Mark Michaud, Ty Phillips and Jake Edwards - and the new staff joined Lunsford and Marrero down the muddy shores to take a dip into the waters.

Marrero even wore his lucky suit that he's worn at several important events in his life, including to his interview at West Georgia.

"The magical, beautiful waters of Eagle Creek... that's what makes this institution incredibly special," Marrero told the media after his baptism. "The history, the heritage, from the dirty dozen to Erk Russell. The magical waters that make a team, the community feel like they can do anything."

After a quick bite to eat back at the Ted Smith Family Football Center, the team broke up into 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 freshmen headed east down I-16 to help with OMI on the Armstrong Campus.

The team will wrap up camp Saturday with an open scrimmage beginning at 9:15 a.m. at Paulson Stadium. It is open to the public.
 

TICKETS
Fans can purchase 2019 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 a preseason practice. The Eagles will head east on I-16 and will practice at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23 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. 17 (9:15 AM, Paulson - Scrimmage #2; Statesboro Fan Fest/President's Kick Off)
Sun., Aug. 18 (8:45 AM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 19 No Practice (First Day of Classes)
Tues., Aug. 20 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 21 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 22 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 23 (6-7:30 PM, Memorial Stadium - Savannah; Savannah Fan Fest)
Sat., Aug. 24 No Practice

The game week schedule will be released at a later time.