Athletics Communications Staff Directory
Media interested in Georgia Southern Athletics, be it an interview or press credential request, must contact the Athletics Communications Office. Eagle coaches and student-athletes work closely with the communications staff in servicing media requests. Please, don't hesitate to give us a call or drop us a text or email.
All interview requests for Georgia Southern coaches, student-athletes and administrators should be directed to an appropriate member of the Athletics Communications staff. Repeated violation of this procedure could result in revocation of access and/or credential privileges for the individual or outlet.
The Athletics Communications Office is located in the Dan J. Parrish Sr. Building off of Fair Road.
All media members coming to campus during business hours of the workweek need to stop by the Parking & Transportation Office to obtain a parking pass. There is no charge for visitor parking permits. Media members will be responsible for paying any fines they incur while on campus.
Press Credential Policy
• Spouses, dates, children, equipment carriers and non-workers are restricted from the press area, sidelines and locker rooms. Any abuse of a working credential will result in the media agency losing credential privileges. Credentials will not be issued to any person under the age of 18.
• In some instances, due to space limitations, meeting the identified criteria does not guarantee credentials.
• Space for the working press, radio and television is allocated by the Georgia Southern Athletics Communications Office, which reserves the right to deny credentials to any outlet.
• Due to space restrictions, Georgia Southern does not allow radio stations to broadcast live shows or segments from the press area of the press box – before, during or after a game.
Guidelines
1. Traditionally, season media credentials are issued to those organizations that report on Georgia Southern intercollegiate athletics on a regular and substantial basis.
2. With the exception of Eagle beat reporters reporting on the team on a daily basis and producing daily reports, all passes are approved and issued on a game-by-game basis. The Athletics Department also reserves the right to credential all media on a game-by-game basis if deemed necessary.
3. All passes and credentials are non-transferable without prior approval from the Georgia Southern Athletics Communications Office. Passes used by any member of a credentialed outlet without specific editorial assignment or by non-working members of the organization are subject to revocation upon University request.
4. Due to limited space and to ensure compliance with NCAA guidelines, credentials for "free-lance" writers or photographers will not be considered without a specific assignment received in writing by the assigning organization.
5. Georgia Southern and the NCAA prohibit the issuance of credentials to representatives of an organization that regularly publishes gambling information, such as "tout sheets" or "tip sheets." Georgia Southern will not issue credentials to organizations whose primary function is to deliver news related to the recruitment of student-athletes unless owned and operated under a national parent company.
6. No credentials will be issued to individuals under the age of 18. Admission to media facilities is for working media only. The locker room is off-limits to members of the media at all times.
7. Credentials may be requested, but are not guaranteed for approval, for online entities that host a website that regularly and substantially reports on GS intercollegiate athletics. These online entities must employ for that Georgia Southern-dedicated website at least one full-time, salaried employee who provides editorial oversight before an article can be posted. Neither independent bloggers, nor fan sites where anyone can submit articles for publication, will receive credentials.
Online entities must register at least 20,000 legitimate unique users per month in each of the past 12 months and must have been in existence for a minimum of three years, to be given consideration. The outlet must designate one main contact to serve as the beat writer for designated sports, and all content written in story or blog form must have the writer's name and contact information.
New outlets meeting these criteria are eligible for, but are not guaranteed, one (1) press pass and one (1) photography pass for home games and media events.
8. University personnel may deny or revoke credentials without notice and an individual shall surrender his/her credential upon request for noncompliance with the priorities or guidelines set out in this policy; noncompliance with health, safety, or security directives issued regarding University athletic events; violations of University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, NCAA, or Sun Belt policies; and for conduct for which there are reasonable grounds to believe violate state or federal law, or constitute a breach of professional ethics, including inappropriate dress and/or intoxication.
9. The Georgia Southern Athletics Communications Office reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
FOOTBALL
• Valid credentials must be visible in order to gain entry to Allen E. Paulson Stadium access to the field and/or press box.
• Credentialed photographers must stay outside of the team box (20-yard line to 20-yard line) and behind the dotted white line at all times unless given prior permission from Bryan Johnston, Senior Associate AD for Communications.
• Roof access atop the press is also permitted provided the maximum number of occupants has not been met. While tripods are allowed on the roof, no tents or other unsecured items are allowed at any time. The broadcasting network and team videographers have priority for all spots.
• No flash photography allowed while the game is being played.
• No tripods or chairs are allowed to be set up on the playing surface or sidelines while the game is being played.
• All photographers/videographers on the sideline must be in attendance in a working capacity with proper equipment.
• No credentials will be issued to freelance photographers, cutline writers, equipment carriers or radio station representatives, except for each team's broadcast originating networks.
• No one under 18 years of age will be issued a credential for sideline access.
• Photographers or videographers are considered working members of the media, and they are to refrain from cheering or talking to players, coaches or officials.
• Photographers may send photos from the press box of Allen E. Paulson Stadium.
• Due to NCAA eligibility issues, photographs may not be sold in any way shape or form.
• Not conforming to any of the above-listed guidelines will result in immediate dismissal from the stadium by event management staff.
• These policies can be modified without prior notice if deemed necessary and Georgia Southern officials have the final say in enforcing these rules.
BASKETBALL
• Valid credentials must be visible in order to gain entry to Hanner Fieldhouse and access to the court and must be in plain sight at all times.
• Photographers and videographers are restricted to the baselines behind the dotted line on the court from the beginning of warm-ups to the end of the contest. Space is limited to the baseline opposite of where the cheerleaders/dancers stand and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on the amount of media in attendance, outlets may be limited to one photographer on each end of the court.
• A photographer shooting on the court must sit on the floor. On the visitor's bench end, standing is allowed if back against the wall. Camping style and/or inflatable chairs with backs can be used provided they have no legs. No tripods or stools may be placed on or beside the playing floor.
• Shooting on the court during timeouts is not permitted and at no time may photographers or videographers work from directly behind the official scorer's table, media table or team benches.
• A still photographer shall not use a flash attached to the camera or attached to any other courtside location to shoot game action. On-camera flashes may be used during celebrations and presentations.
• Photographers located on the baseline will be permitted only one standard-size "Domke" bag which must be placed behind the photographer during competition. All other equipment (including all cameras and lenses) must be stored off-court or kept on the photographer's person at all times.
• Due to NCAA eligibility issues, photographs may not be sold in any way shape or form.
• Not conforming to any of the above-listed guidelines will result in immediate dismissal from the stadium by event management staff.
• These policies can be modified without prior notice if deemed necessary and Georgia Southern officials have the final say in enforcing these rules.
ALL OTHER SPORTS
• Valid credentials must be visible in order to gain access to the facility and playing surface.
• The Athletics Communications contact for the sport will be in charge of setting and disseminating the photography policies for the respective facility.
