STATESBORO - As part of our continued commitment to providing an elite experience for our fans, Georgia Southern Athletics is always listening to your feedback as we identify ways to improve the gameday experience at Allen E. Paulson Stadium at Evans Family Field. The department has worked diligently this off-season to implement several positive enhancements. Below are just a few items we have implemented to improve your gameday experience in 2024:

Evans Family Field
• Allen E. Paulson Stadium's playing surface has been renamed Evans Family Field in recognition of a transformational gift commitment from the Evans family. Brianna ('12) and RT ('12) Evans have generously agreed to a $3 million donation to impact Eagle Athletics, the largest single donation in Georgia Southern Athletics history. The unprecedented gift will support upgrades throughout Paulson Stadium and other significant enhancements to the football program. The new field name is now painted on the sidelines.

For the full release, click here.

Aramark Now Serving
• Georgia Southern Athletics and the Athletic Foundation announced a new multi-year partnership with Aramark Sports + Entertainment (Aramark) as its concessions operator beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. Aramark is an award-winning hospitality provider at over 60 premier stadiums, arenas, and sports facilities across North America. The new food and beverage partnership will serve six of Georgia Southern's competition facilities and will enhance the service at Georgia Southern's sports venues while prioritizing food and beverage quality, efficiency, safety, and enjoyment for fans at home events.

Aramark will expand cashless payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. It will more than double the number of points of sale throughout venues, leading to shorter wait times and a better fan experience. Aramark will continue to partner with local food establisments such as Dolan's, Leopold's Ice Cream, Surchero's, Stoners Pizza, and more to give fans a variety of local food options and will also rebrand all of the concession stands at Paulson Stadium.

For the full release, click here.

New Videoboard, Ribbon Board and Sound System
• Fans will see several exciting enhancements this fall at Paulson Stadium, but the most significant change will be the new video board that was installed this summer. With 1,551 square feet of display area for replays, graphics and promotions, this high-def board from Formetco allows us to interact more with our fans and enhances the game-day experience. Standing atop the new videoboard is a 7-foot-tall, backlit Coca-Cola sign to make the new facade even more impressive. A high-def ribbon board that goes the length of the field and has no sight line obstruction issues has also been installed. Finally, the sound system was also replaced, significantly enhancing sound distribution in all areas.

Southern Exchange In-Venue
• Southern Exchange, already the exclusive merchandiser of Georgia Southern Athletics, has signed a contract to become the exclusive in-venue apparel vendor at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Southern Exchange will move into the previously occupied space on both sides by the University Bookstore and have two other locations within the stadium.

Here's a first look at the four in-venue spaces Southern Exchange will run:

SXC AT PAULSON
• Located on the student/visitor Side (previously the bookstore shop)
• Exclusive Georgia Southern gear only at Paulson!
• Hats, apparel, gifts and essentials
• Open one hour before kickoff

SXC EXPRESS
• Located on the home side (previously the bookstore shop)
• Select assortment of GS gear!
• Beverages, snacks, essentials and more
• Open one hour before kickoff

SXC POP-UP
• Located near the east end zone (Ted Smith Family Football Center end) on the home side
• Focusing on hats and other essentials
• Servicing the gameday experience!
• Opens 30 minutes before kickoff

SXC TAILGATE
• Located near Gate 10/Anthony P. Tippins Family Football Center
• Georgia Southern gear and more!
• Always here for the tailgate experience
• Closes 30 minutes before kickoff

For the full release with all of the details, click here.

Eagles Win, You Win
• When the Eagles win, be on the lookout for special, limited-time offers from Southern Exchange! Different store items will be sold 24 hours after the game to help celebrate the big victory!

Soar Up Program
• Southern Exchange and Aramark will adopt the Soar Up program, letting fans round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at Paulson Stadium concession stands and all SXC locations, supporting the Eagle Nation Collective.

For the full release, click here.

Press Box Fascia Enhancements
• The front of the press box is getting a new look this season with new graphics and a cleaner feel. Additionally, College Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul Johnson will have his name added to join Coach Erk Russell, Tracy Ham and Adrian Peterson.

Bowl Championship Flagpole
• A new flagpole is being installed on the north sides of the Ted Smith Family Football Center featuring flags of Georgia Southern's bowl wins. This pole is opposite the one featuring flags of the Eagles' six national championships.

Pregame Radio Show Moving
• The Georgia Southern Sports Network - in its 43rd season serving as the radio broadcasting home Eagle football - will present the Cutwater Spirits Tailgate Show beginning two hours prior to kickoff and will now be positioned near Gate 8 on the Gene Bishop Field House end of the stadium. Fans may also listen to the tailgate show locally in Statesboro on Eagle 94.9 FM - the flagship radio station for Georgia Southern Athletics - as well on gseagles.com & on the Varsity Network. 

• Frank Sulkowski of WJCL 22 News returns as the tailgate show host for his 14th season as a member of the radio broadcast crew. He will be joined by newcomers Anthony Beck II - a four-year punter for the Eagles from 2018-22 who holds school records for single-season (45.02 in 2021) and career (43.25) punting average - and Clay Reynolds, a native of Dublin, Georgia, who has nearly a decade of sports media experience and currently serves as the play-by-play football voice of the West Laurens Raiders.

New "Eagle Nation" Mural 
• Who doesn't love an Instagrammable Moment?!? Set in the original location of My First Game, outside Section G on the south concourse at the top of the hill, the Athletic Department has unveiled a brand new mural for all members of Eagle Nation that captures our rich traditions and history of excellence. This iconic display will become another must-stop for fans to capture photos with friends and family.

New Panorama of Paulson Stadium is Coming!
• Eagle Nation, make sure you are in your seats early for the season opener against Boise State on Aug. 31. Blakeway Panoramas is returning to Georgia Southern to capture a Packed Paulson Stadium. It's been a few years since we've had an updated picture taken, but with a full house expected and a raucous atmosphere forthcoming, it seems like the perfect time to take a new one! 

• Prints of "The Prettiest Little Stadium in America" will be available for purchase in early September at Southern Exchange Company and Blakeway Panoramas.

Bishop Field House Updates
• The graphics on the outside of the Field House have been replaced and the inside has been repainted to give it a fresh feel. New Coca-Cola drink coolers have been installed, as well.

New Landscaping and Wind Screens
• Fans entering Paulson Stadium will notice the new landscaping along the stadium fences and those on the visitor side will see new windscreens for the club level sections.

More Secure Club Level
• To help with security issues, each section of the club level now features just one entrance and exit. Stanchions will also be set up to split the entrance and the exit to help secure the area.

Recognizing Our Partnership With Morris Bank
• Thanks to Morris Bank's continued partnership with GS Athletics, you'll notice a few changes in and around Paulson Stadium. The field goal net on the east end zone now has the Morris Bank logo on it and for those who park in the Blue Lot, you'll notice the lot is now named the Morris Bank Blue Lot.

My First Game Changes Location
• Whether it's your first experience at Paulson Stadium or a new moment for a loved one, My First Game is a must-stop inside Paulson Stadium to receive a special button, certificate, and photo opportunity. The location has been moved to the turf area between Gate 9 and Bishop Field House, making the experience more central between our two heaviest-entered gates, Gates 8 and 12.

Junior Eagle Club
• The athletic department recently relaunched the Junior Eagle Club for kids in 8th grade or lower. Membership within the JEC includes multiple benefits, including discounted tickets, complimentary general admission, and exclusive JEC merchandise and opportunities. Memberships are priced at $30 per person and last for the entire 2024-25 athletic season. Memberships can be purchased here. For more information, visit GSEagles.com/JEC.

Athletics Mobile App
• Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new GS Athletics Mobile App is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Through the app, Eagle Nation will enjoy a personalized mobile experience with the ability to manage tickets, shop for official Georgia Southern merchandise and receive breaking news and score notifications for the teams they follow. Add your tickets to the game to your mobile wallet! Click here to learn more and download!

Student Ticketing Updates
• Remember, entry to all Georgia Southern Athletic events is free for all current Georgia Southern students. Come to Gate 14 with your Eagle ID and cheer loudly!!
• To access your Eagle ID to scan into athletic events, students should:
  • Step 1: Open your Transact eAccount App on your phone
  • Step 2: Click the "More Information" tab under your Eagle ID
  • Step 3: Select "Show Barcode" to display
  • Step 4: Scan your ticket and you're in!
• To help alleviate lines at the student entrance, please have your mobile Eagle ID ready to go when you get to the front of the line!
• Go to https://gseagles.com/sports/2019/11/6/student-tickets.aspx for more information
• As always, students are encouraged to arrive early to avoid lines and delays in getting into the stadium for kickoff.

Georgia Southern kicks off the season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m., when it hosts Boise State. Tickets can be purchased at http://GSEagles.com/tickets.