Sidelines – Fall 2012
CAMPAIGN UPDATE
“Soaring to Victory” in Phase I
The ambitious $36.6 million “Soaring to Victory” eight- year campaign to transform Georgia Southern University’s entire athletics program is moving full speed ahead.
Phase 1 is a $15.5 million effort that begins with stabilizing the football program by focusing on ways to give it a competitive edge in recruiting and training, as well as providing financial incentives to keep coaches from going elsewhere. The Athletic Foundation has raised $8 million in the first year, nearly reaching its goal to go toward the marquee project of the first phase – the Football Operations Center. The new, first-class 57,000-square-foot facility at Paulson Stadium will cost $10 million, and that amount must be raised before construction can begin on the facility, based upon approval from the Georgia Board of Regents.
The fundraising goal for the Football Operations Center is the largest privately funded project ever at Georgia Southern, and the Campaign is continuing to take in contributions.
“The Vision of the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation (GSUAF) is simply, but aptly, ‘Rings and Diplomas.’ We strive to provide the opportunity for a championship ring and a college diploma for each and every student athlete,” states David Beaubien, executive director of the Eagle Fund.
EAGLE ATHLETICS
Hall of Fame Inducts Seven New Members
Seven new members were inducted into the Georgia Southern University Athletics Hall of Fame at a dinner held the night before the Eagles vs. Samford football game. The following day, the members were introduced to Eagle fans during halftime.
The 2012 Hall of Fame members include: FCS leading career rusher Adrian Peterson, Blake Adams (golf), Julian Deal (supporter), Ray Mims (baseball), Sharon Mitchell (women’s basketball), Tracy Rivers (baseball) and Robin Thirsk (women’s soccer).
The Class of 2012 joined 126 former coaches, student-athletes, supporters and administrators in the Hall of Fame. Inductees to the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame are chosen biennially.
FOOTBALL
Corless, Saturnio Join Eagles Coaching Staff
Georgia Southern’s football program added two new members to the coaching staff this year.
Linebackers coach Kevin Corless joined the program in January following the completion of the 2011 season. Corless spent nine years coaching on the defensive side of the ball at Arkansas State University and helped turn three programs into nationally-ranked defenses.
During his first seven years at Arkansas State, he served as co-defensive coordinator with Jack Curtis, now the Eagles defensive coordinator. In his final two years there, Corless had sole responsibility as coordinator and was in charge of the linebackers and the punt return unit.
Sean Saturnio joined the coaching staff as the tight ends coach prior to the start of 2012 spring practice. He also assists offensive coordinator Brent Davis with the offensive line and continues his role as director of player development. Saturnio served in this non-coaching role during the 2011 Southern Conference Championship season prior to assuming his current assistant coach role.
Saturnio came to Statesboro after a successful nine- year head-coaching career at Waipahu High School in Hawaii, where he led his team to a semifinals appearance in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference playoffs in his last season.
BASEBALL
Moore Named Hitting Coach
Chris Moore joined the Georgia Southern Baseball coaching team in September as the hitting coach. Moore played for Head Coach Rodney Hennon at Western Carolina, and for the past two seasons, he was the hitting coach for Appalachian State.
He replaces longtime assistant coach Mike Tidick who left last fall to become a professional scout. In his new position, Moore will share recruiting duties with Hennon and pitching coach B.J. Green.
GOLF
Wolfes Wins Invitational at Kiawah
Georgia Southern sophomore golfer Scott Wolfes took home the individual title at the Invitational at Kiawah, the site of the 2012 PGA Championship.
Wolfes finished with a three-round 220, despite posting an 80 in the final round at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. in September.
Wolfes is the first individual medalist for Georgia Southern, since Logan Blondell won the Kauai Collegiate Cup in 2009.