The Benko Briefing
8/24/2020 11:20:00 AM | General
AD addresses Eagle Nation in letter form
I was reminded on the drive into work today how fast the past few months have flown by. It is hard to believe that we are already starting week two of fall classes here at Georgia Southern University. On that note, late August has traditionally been one of my favorite times of the year, with kickoff just around the corner.
Our traditions are a point of pride for Eagle Nation…Yellow School Buses, "Whose House? Our House!", Southern Pride and GUS. They will all be here soon. I join you in your excitement of cheering on the Blue and White!
Earlier today, we announced our ticketing plan and what Paulson Stadium will look like for the 2020 football season. While we wish we could have 25,000 members of Eagle Nation in Paulson Stadium this year for our six home games, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to reduce capacity within our venue. We are blessed at Georgia Southern to have the most passionate fan base in the country. Having spent time on the four Southeastern Conference (SEC) campuses, I can fully attest to this assertion. It is because of our loyal supporters that our decision as to who receives access to tickets is tough.
I have heard from many of you the stories of growing up attending Georgia Southern football games as a child. For many of you, you were blessed to have witnessed several national championship trophies make their way to Statesboro. It's for this reason that we have decided to provide all season ticket account holders with access to attend all six home games this year. This decision to take care of as many members of Eagle Nation as possible does not come without some challenging derivatives. Season ticket account holders will most likely receive fewer tickets than they ordered to afford each season ticket account holder the opportunity to attend games in the venue this season. Further, at this point, we cannot sell any mini-plans, Freedom Passes or individual game tickets.
Eagle Nation, with up to 25 percent attendance for this fall, we are counting on you to be loud when cheering on Georgia Southern ... while also practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering. Adhering to these requests will help us provide a home-field advantage that is second-to-none. We greatly appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we follow local and state public health and safety guidelines to ensure a safe game day environment.
With stadium capacity reduced by 75 percent for our six home games, our Athletics budget will experience a significant shortfall this year. Football-related revenue helps fund the 16 other NCAA-sponsored sports on campus.
To help reduce the anticipated deficit, we ask our donors and season ticket holders who opt out of attending or do not receive their full ticket allotment to please consider donating their season ticket purchases as part of our "Triple Option" campaign.
Eagle Nation, I know the pandemic has brought health and economic hardships to many of you. Requesting donations right now is a tough ask, and I genuinely understand the challenges that many of you are facing. However, one thing that I have learned in my five months here is never to underestimate the strength and perseverance of Eagle Nation – each of you loves our University and athletics program. Your generosity only exceeds this love. It is this generosity that I come to you humbly today, asking for you to consider investing in Georgia Southern by converting your unfulfilled season tickets into a philanthropic gift.
I see a return on your investment every day I step foot on campus. Through countless conversations with our student-athletes, Eagle Nation, I know that you are proud of the young men and women enrolled at this great University. I know that you are proud of their academic and athletic pursuits. I know that you are proud of them giving back to their community. And I know that you are proud of their success upon graduating from Georgia Southern and becoming great ambassadors of this University.
Our student-athletes, staff and coaches have spent countless hours over the past several months to put us in a position to play fall sports. In the next few weeks, we will get to see the results of their hard work and dedication to "Do Right" daily. On that day, I look forward to joining each of you by exclaiming, "Georgia…" – "Southern…"
Thank you for your continued support of this great University that we all love!
Hail Southern! GATA!
Georgia Southern Director of Athletics
