A New Roost

Freedom’s Courtyard Built for University Mascot

Georgia Southern University’s bald eagle mascot, Freedom, has a new place to call home.

Freedom’s Courtyard – nearing completion at Georgia Southern’s Center for Wildlife Education — is a brick and timber structure that includes a 14-foot octagon enclosure for the University mascot, two 18-foot wings and arched brick walls for educational and recognition purposes.

The courtyard, complete with benches, landscaping and lighting, features an educational wing highlighting Freedom’s story, the natural history of bald eagles, the selection of the bald eagle as our national symbol and its designation as Georgia Southern’s mascot.

The recognition wing highlights individuals, corporations and foundations responsible for initiating the idea of showcasing a live bald eagle on the Georgia Southern campus. The site also honors past benefactors of the Wildlife Center and their contributions in creating the premier facility.

According to Steve Hein, the director of the Center, the design, construction and landscaping services were donated by Martin, Rule & Associates Architects, Inc., John E. Lavender & Associates and Action Lawn and Landscaping. “A host of other subcontractors needed to achieve the goal also lent their support,” says Hein, about the generous contributions to the project.

As one of only five American bald eagles in the nation that is free-flighted, Freedom’s journey to Statesboro began in Maitland, Fla., when Gina Holt, a volunteer nest monitor for federal and state wildlife agencies, discovered him in her driveway. Just a few months old, Freedom had been knocked out of his nest. He was taken to the Florida Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, where it was discovered that he had an infection and an injury to his beak. Freedom recovered from the infection; however, the beak injury was permanent and prevented him from being released into the wild. Instead, he was acquired by Georgia Southern in 2004 with the permission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

For the next three years, Hein trained Freedom and in 2007, the mascot took his first flight. Freedom is currently preparing for his sixth football season as he takes flight over Paulson Stadium for thousands of fans on Game Day. Next spring, he will bring the academic year to a close when he soars over guests and graduates at commencement.

While these are some of his most notable appearances, Freedom can also be found riding the University’s float during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, Ga., appearing at Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout ceremonies and other University events.

“It has been a privilege to work with a bald eagle and an honor to be a part of Freedom’s journey. Freedom’s Courtyard couldn’t be timelier and more appropriate,” says Hein.

—Rebekah Faulk