STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern University Alumni Association has announced its 40 under 40 Class of 2019, which includes a pair of current Eagle coaches as well as several former student-athletes.

Current Georgia Southern assistant football coach Victor Cabral and head women's basketball coach Anita Howard were each named to the list, which you can view here. Cabral earned his bachelor's degree in general studies from Georgia Southern in 2006 and also earned his master's degree in health service administration in 2013 while playing football for the Eagles. Cabral is currently in his second stint as a coach for Georgia Southern football, serving as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the program.

"First, congratulations to all of the 2019 alumni honorees," Cabral said. "It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top alumni under 40 for the greatest university in the country! Georgia Southern has blessed me with so many opportunities throughout my life. I couldn't begin to tell you where I'd be without the lessons, friendships and memories that I have made because of Georgia Southern. Thank you to the board who selected this year's class and I look forward to seeing everyone!"

Howard, meanwhile, was a 2003 graduate of Armstrong State University, earning her bachelor's degree in art. As the point guard for Armstrong State, she helped lead the school to its first and only Peach Belt Conference women's basketball championship in 2002-03. Just this March, Howard was named the eighth head women's basketball coach in Georgia Southern history, and the first African American female head coach for the program.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected among the high achieving Class of 2019 for Georgia Southern's 40 Under 40," Howard said. "All I can say is THANK YA JESUS!  As I looked at the accomplishments of those listed, I felt a strong sense of pride in the group's contributions to society.  These Eagles entered to learn and departed to serve!  Furthermore, I greatly appreciate the University's effort as it pertains to creating one Eagle Family.  Having graduated from Armstrong back in 2003, it is really great to receive this recognition under the new umbrella of Georgia Southern.  It truly feels like one family!  Kudos to the Alumni Association and Administration for positively uniting the campuses.  Hail Southern!"

Out of 120,000 living alumni, nearly 50,000 are under 40 years old. 40 Under 40 honorees not only represent the excellence of the University's young alumni but also demonstrate the positive contributions and remarkable achievements for which Georgia Southern and Armstrong graduates are known.The 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Russell Union Ballroom on the Georgia Southern Statesboro Campus. During this special event, the 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 will be recognized and celebrated.

In addition to Cabral and Howard, five other alumni on the 40 under 40 played collegiately for their alma maters: James Burchett, Chris Brown and JaBre V. Scott were members of the Georgia Southern football program, while Molly Nation was a track athlete at Georgia Southern and Leia Dedic was a volleyball player for Armstrong State.

Click here to view the complete 40 under 40 Class of 2019 Alumni from the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association.