The Benko Briefing
2/13/2023 3:30:00 PM | Baseball, Track & Field/XC, Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Women's Rifle, Women's Golf
AD addresses Eagle Nation in letter form
Eagle Nation,
I hope this note finds you and your family well!
Like you, I was beaming with pride last night seeing Jerick "Jet" McKinnon and the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII! What an incredible game, with both teams trading scores possession after possession! I have to say that I kept an eye out for "Number 1" all game and was excited to see him in on the final drive. What a heads-up play by Jerick with 1:54 remaining in a tied game at 35-35 to slide down in bounds at the 2-yard line after breaking free around the left corner. His unselfish decision not to score a touchdown secured the victory for the Chiefs. The win (and play) were a testament to his perseverance throughout his career. After being written off following back-to-back surgeries and many saying they would end his career, Jerick reached the pinnacle of success last night. Please join me and all of Eagle Nation in congratulating Jerick on being a Super Bowl Champion!
Georgia Southern basketball went a combined 3-1 last week as our men's team secured wins over James Madison and Arkansas State, while our women's team notched a victory on the road over Appalachian State. Our men's team is currently 7-7 (.500) in conference play and has positioned itself favorably for a first-round bye in the Sun Belt Tournament. Our women's team is 8-6 (.571) in conference play and finds itself in an excellent spot to bypass the first round of the conference tournament, as well. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, please continue to support both teams in Hanner Fieldhouse as we look to finish on a strong note heading into postseason play.
Our men's golf team continued its terrific play from the fall this past weekend as it opened up its spring play with a second-place finish in the Vystar Credit Union Gators Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. The Eagles out-performed several other ranked teams to secure the runner-up finish. Senior Mason Williams shot an 11-under-par 199 and ended up second in individual medalist honors after pushing it to a playoff. We've got an exciting season ahead with this group of Eagles!
Opening day for baseball is a pastime I grew up relishing every spring … and this spring is no different! Coach Hennon and staff have several key returners back this year, and with several newcomers, this experienced group is ready to pick up where it left off last season. Last week, the Sun Belt Conference agreed by recognizing senior Noah Ledford as the Eagles' first Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year. Jesse Sherrill and Jarrett Brown also earned first-team Preseason All-Sun Belt honors, with the Eagles being picked as the No. 2 team in the Sun Belt by the head coaches in the league. The first pitch of the 2023 season is this Friday at 6:30 p.m. as the Eagles open a three-game set against West Virginia in J.I. Clements Stadium.
Our women's track & field team has started its indoor season on fire, breaking school records in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 4x4 relay! The Eagles have also notched 12 new personal-best times to date. Head coach David Neville and his staff continue to make a significant impact in their first season in Statesboro and I look forward to seeing them compete at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Feb. 20 and 21.
Speaking of torrid starts, our women's rifle team extended its unblemished Southern Conference winning streak to three seasons with its recent win over UAB on Feb. 4. The Eagles compete in the NCAA Qualifier this Saturday in Statesboro against North Georgia before competing in Southern Conference Championships from March 4-5 at The Citadel. This team continues to get better and better each season!
Here are several other important updates from across our department: our men's soccer team has been putting in a lot of work this spring under new head coach, Lee Squires. This team is already showing progress by tying South Georgia Tormenta FC this past Saturday, 0-0. Men's tennis returns to action this Friday and Sunday at the Wallis Tennis Center. Women's tennis is on the road this week and returns home next week with four consecutive home matches starting on Feb. 21. Women's golf returns to action this Friday at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational in Eatonton, Georgia. Softball hosts its "Bash in the Boro" tournament this weekend with a doubleheader starting this Friday at 3 p.m. Finally, our swimming & diving team heads to CCSA Conference Championships this week.
Our football team is in the middle of off-season conditioning, and it has been exciting to watch our team's daily growth and development. We had our first mat drill session this past Thursday at Eagle Creek, and I was very impressed with both the leadership and preparedness of the young men on our team. We return to Eagle Creek each of the next two Thursdays at 8 a.m. for mat drills, and I would encourage you to stop by and see the progress being made!
I am excited to announce that football season tickets officially go on sale tomorrow! We have several new initiatives being introduced this upcoming football season, but one thing remains the same – WE NEED YOU! The 2023 football ticket renewal website highlights "What's New in 2023" and provides a comprehensive overview of home football gameday information. Thank you in advance for renewing your tickets and ensuring that Paulson Stadium remains one of the most difficult venues for opposing teams to play in!
#WeNeedYou, Eagle Nation!#HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/LLHkotXxv1
— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) February 13, 2023
In closing, for Georgia Southern to reach its desired goals, I will continue to strategically highlight three (3) things that individuals and companies can do to help us:
- Financially support the Athletic Foundation and the Erk Russell Fund
- Buy season tickets and create a home-field advantage
- Get others to do the same!
Our best days are ahead – thank you for your continued support!
Hail Southern! GATA!
Jared Benko
Players Mentioned
