Traditions - 精东

Georgia Southern is a university rich in history. Since its humble beginnings as First District A&M School in 1906 through its 2018 consolidation with Armstrong State University, the school has established a wide range of traditions that serve to distinguish it from its peers and deepen the bond with its own students as each year passes. The Eagle Nation is built on these bonds, soaring on the cheers of students, alumni and loyal fans who shout 鈥淕eorgia鈥︹€� and know with confidence the answer they鈥檒l receive.

One University. Three Campuses.

Georgia Southern has grown to three distinct campuses, serving the needs of one dynamic institution. The Statesboro Campus is 900 acres of Georgian-style, red-brick historic buildings and modern contemporary buildings set amid pines and oaks and home to more than 20,000 students; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah is a 268-acre arboretum campus just minutes away from historic downtown Savannah and home to some 6,500 students; and a modern, state-of-the-art facility in Hinesville is geared for local and military-affiliated students.

A group of students walk along a campus sidewalk near a 鈥溇€� banner, talking and smiling on a sunny day with trees and buildings in the background.

Military Friendly

Military service and support is a time-honored tradition for Georgia Southern. With two major military installations in the region, the University has always been a welcome home to soldiers, veterans and student cadets. As a result, G.I. Jobs magazine has repeatedly named Georgia Southern a Military Friendly institution. In addition, Eagle Battalion, our ROTC program has long been a source of national recognition, winning the prestigious MacArthur Award four times, and leading the nation in the production of Army Nurses.

An older man in a suit shakes hands with a young man in a military uniform. Both are smiling. American flags are visible in the background.

Freedom鈥檚 Flight

In what has become one of the most popular traditions at 精东, 鈥淔reedom,鈥� a male American Bald Eagle, takes flight before each home football game. Launching from high above the field, Freedom lands at midfield to the roar of thousands of Eagle students and fans. In recent years, his dramatic presence concludes the University鈥檚 Spring commencement ceremony.

A bald eagle with wings spread wide, talons extended, swoops downward in front of a blurred building background.

Eagle Experience

Your Georgia Southern journey begins with The Eagle Experience 鈥� a chance for you to dig in from day one and write your next chapter. Through a multitude of events and activities, you鈥檒l meet new friends, learn from accomplished professors, create memories for a lifetime, engage in practical learning, and, most importantly, make our house YOUR house.

A large group of people wearing white and dark shirts stand on a grassy field, arranged to form GS when viewed from above.

Sweetheart Circle

Some universities have 鈥渟quares,鈥� but 精东 has Sweetheart Circle. Sweetheart Circle derives its name from what students used to call the 鈥淪weetheart Campus.鈥� The rolling lawn of picturesque live oaks and pecan trees has played host to many important events in the University鈥檚 history, including countless marriage proposals and wedding ceremonies – a tradition that continues today. It is said that if you walk around the circle three times with your sweetheart, you are sure to be married.

A large tree stands in the foreground on a grassy lawn, with students sitting nearby. In the background, a building with a 精东 banner is lit by street lamps at dusk.

Tybee Beach Bash

A group of people on a sandy beach, holding a rope and preparing for a tug-of-war game. Most are wearing swimsuits or summer attire, with the ocean and blue sky in the background.

Homecoming

When cool autumn breezes give way to heated Eagle spirit, it can only mean one thing: Homecoming. This week-long observance plays host to thousands of Georgia Southern alumni, current students and community members. The celebration includes a variety of special events, reunions, social gatherings and even a parade. The week culminates in the 精东 Homecoming game at Paulson Stadium and the announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen.

A woman in a formal dress sits on a parade float covered in flowers. The float is on a street lined with trees, and it appears to be part of a celebratory procession.

Georgia鈥� Southern鈥�

Georgia Southern alumni and fans all know this famous Eagle 鈥渟hout out.鈥� Georgia Southern spirit is alive and well as fans and alumni make sure everyone knows who we are. Whether you run into a fellow alum in the airport, see a classmate at a restaurant in Atlanta or are cheering on your 精东 at a sporting event, the chant 鈥淕eorgia 鈥︹€� 鈥� 鈥淪outhern鈥︹€� are the only two words you need to know.

A cheerleader in white holds up a sign while another person shouts through a blue megaphone toward a crowded stadium of spectators on a sunny day.

Summer Celebration

What started in 1948 as a way for the late President Zach Henderson to provide a cool treat to the students, faculty and staff who were still on campus during the hot summer months has turned into a fruit and ice-cream summer break called the Summer Celebration. Happening in July on each campus, community members and friends are also invited for free refreshments, including Leopold鈥檚 ice cream.

Two young women stand outdoors in a crowd, smiling and enjoying slices of watermelon. One wears a floral top and the other a gray dress.

Holiday Campus Lighting

Flipping on the switch for the holiday lights is a tradition at both Statesboro and Armstrong campuses. In Statesboro, Sweetheart Circle is the perfect backdrop for holiday lights, evergreen wreaths and red bows, and the buildings, trees and lampposts are draped in lights and ornaments. On the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, holiday lights adorn the entrance sign and majestic live oaks along Abercorn Street. On each campus, students and locals alike gather for traditional treats and seasonal music to officially start the holiday season.

A large building with columns is decorated with white holiday lights on the trees and railings at night. Three wreaths hang on the doors, and several cars are parked in front under a starry sky.

Holiday Helper Tree

The Holiday Helper Tree was founded in 1994, and its legacy continues today. Each year, Georgia Southern students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community come together to fulfill the Holiday wishes and needs of vulnerable populations in Bulloch and Chatham Counties.

The Holiday Helper Tree serves as a reminder of the spirit of giving and allows our campus to be part of spreading holiday cheer to our community!

Learn more about the Holiday Helper Tree >

Gus sits in a festive chair, surrounded by wrapped presents and toy nutcrackers, with trees in the background. The mascot has its arms open and looks cheerful.

Beautiful Eagle Creek

When Georgia Southern resurrected the football program in 1981, traditions and spirit needed resurrection as well. So legendary Head Football Coach Erk Russell created his own. But inspiration came to him in the most unusual of places. Inspired by the gnat-infested drainage ditch that cut across the field between the team鈥檚 locker room and practice fields, Russell convinced his players that its stagnant water was actually 鈥淏eautiful Eagle Creek,鈥� a source of 鈥渕agical鈥� waters.

A large group of football players and coaches pose together outdoors, surrounding a small stream. Many are in athletic gear, some shirtless, and coaches in suits stand in the water.

One More Time

After the 精东 won their second straight national championship in 1986, legendary coach Erk Russell said, 鈥淗ey ladies, hey fellas, hey gentlemen, one more time for the greatest team in America.鈥� The phrase stuck, and Russell, one of the best motivators at any level of college football, began to use it to 鈥渓ight a fire鈥� in players, whenever a game was on the line.

A group of enthusiastic sports fans, many with painted chests spelling 鈥淥NE MORE TIME,鈥� cheer and wave foam sticks in a stadium under a clear blue sky.

GUS

There is possibly no more visible figure than Georgia Southern鈥檚 official Eagle mascot, GUS. Best known for his sideline antics at sporting events, the loveable, furry mascot makes special appearances throughout the year. GUS has visited the Georgia Capitol, posing with business and political leaders, and other dignitaries, as an ambassador for the University. Gus has even been an ESPN 鈥渇avorite mascot鈥� nominee.

Gus waves a large flag on a football field, leading a marching band and cheerleaders. Other large flags and an American flag are in the background, with a crowd watching from the stands.

Southern Pride

As 精东鈥檚 marching band, Southern Pride is two hundred members strong and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. Southern Pride performs at all home football games, select 鈥渙n the road鈥� athletic events, parades, and as an exhibition band at marching contests throughout the state and region. The band combines the highest quality music and execution, while providing entertainment and sparking enthusiast Georgia Southern fans.

A vintage black-and-white photo of a school marching band, with boys and girls in uniform holding instruments, posing on the steps of a building with large columns and windows behind them.

GATA

A phrase coined by legendary football coach Erk Russell when he urged his players to 鈥淕et After Their A**es!鈥� The acronym now is a rally cry that takes on different sayings across the university, such as 鈥淕et After Those Academics.鈥�

Learn More About the Meaning of GATA >

Football players in navy uniforms run onto the field toward a large banner reading GATA, with a marching band and a crowd in the background. The scene is energetic and captures the excitement before a game.

Whose House? Our House!

鈥淲hose House? Our House!鈥� There may be imitators, but there鈥檚 nothing like the original. One of the classic chants in all of college sports had its start in Statesboro. During home football games, at the 鈥減rettiest little stadium in America,鈥� as well as on the hardwood of Hanner Fieldhouse, the defining cheer, led by the student section, reminds opponents of Eagle home dominance.

A panoramic view of a packed football stadium during a game, with a marching band on the field spelling out 精东 in formation, surrounded by cheering fans in the stands.

True Blue

Are you True Blue? If you are a die-hard enthusiastic or life-long supporter of 精东, then you are definitely True Blue! No other phrase illustrates our pride in Georgia Southern than this one. Show your true spirit by taking a True Blue sign with you on trips, snap a photo and submit it at GeorgiaSouthern.edu/trueblue.

The 精东

Georgia Southern鈥檚 athletics teams have adopted several names throughout history, but claimed 鈥溇€� by a campus vote in 1959. Having one American Bald Eagle on campus is impressive, but having multiple eagles is a true triumph. The eagles 鈥� Freedom and Glory 鈥� live in the campus-based Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, which has a wetlands area, an old-growth forest and a mountain display.

A bald eagle flies low over a grassy sports field with its wings spread wide, talons extended, and a stadium with empty bleachers in the background under a clear blue sky.

Honoring A Legacy

As a demonstration of intensity, legendary football Coach Erk Russell would head butt his players, bare head to helmet, often drawing blood in the exchange. When the Eagle Players Association and community leaders commissioned, and dedicated, a bronze bust of Russell near the players entrance to the field in 2007, a new tradition was born. Today, as 精东 take the field, each player head butts the bust to honor Russell鈥檚 legacy.

A bronze statue of Erk Russell sits in front of a large, unlit scoreboard and fence at an outdoor sports stadium, with sunlight shining from behind the scoreboard.

Yellow School Buses

When the football program was resurrected in 1981, the team needed a way to travel to practices and games. Operating on a shoestring budget didn鈥檛 allow for transportation back then, let alone any luxurious travel. The Bulloch County Board of Education stepped in with a deal the University couldn鈥檛 refuse: Georgia Southern would only pay one dollar each for two yellow school buses. The football team still uses the buses to this day.

Gus sits on the front bumper of a yellow school bus parked outdoors among tall pine trees.

The 鈥淎lma Mater鈥�

Verse 1
From humble farm beginnings
Sprung up from the sandy earth
Among the tow鈥檙ing pine trees
Stands a treasure of great worth.
Her price cannot be measured
In silver or in gold
But in the love and loyalty
That many hearts enfold.

Chorus:
精东.
On 精东鈥� wings you soar.
We pledge to you our loyalty
And love for ever more.

Verse 2
Through triumphs and through trials
Our Alma Mater鈥檚 stood
As solid as the oak tree
For justice and for good.
As through these gates we travel
And though our ways must part,
Our Georgia Southern mem鈥檙ies
We鈥檒l keep within our hearts.

Lyrics by Caryl Cain Brown, music by David Matthew

Fight Song

Wave the blue, wave the white,
Hold the banners high,
The 精东 are on the wing.
Sound the cry to the sky as we look for glory,
Victory now we sing.
Hail the blue, hail the white,
Hail the team that鈥檚 soaring,
Upward to bring us fame;
Georgia Southern 精东
Fight on to victory and
Win this game!
Blue and white 鈥� fight, fight!
Blue and white 鈥� fight, fight!
Georgia Southern 鈥� 精东!
Fight, fight, fight!