Hundreds of Georgia Southern fans turned out to Paulson Stadium Saturday to show support for their school as the fifth annual “Meet the Eagles” day offered the community a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite team.

            “This has become an event that all of our fans and players really enjoy,” said Eagle Sports Marketing director Brent Jones. “It’s the start of all of our athletic seasons for the year and helps to get everyone excited for the coming months”

            For some of the younger Eagle fans, the opportunity to meet the players they watch on the field makes for a great day.

            “I liked meeting all of the players,” said Kai Owens, 7, of Brooklet. “It was a lot of fun. I got to meet GUS and got autographs from everyone.”

            This season saw a huge growth in the number of GSU athletes involved in “Meet the Eagles”. In past years, only the football team was featured, but all fall sports teams were on hand to mingle with fans Saturday.

            “This year was a unique opportunity in that we could get all of our fall sports teams out here,” said Jones. “I think it will help all of them. We have fans that like many different sports and this gives them a chance to meet all of our players.”

            Athletes and coaches represented football, men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, track and field and volleyball. For the sports participating for the first time, it was an opportunity to meet face to face with fans, and possibly even recruit some new followers.

            “It’s terrific anytime that we can get some visibility for our program,” said men’s soccer coach Kevin Kennedy. “Hopefully, we’ve talked to some casual fans and now they’ll decide to come check us out and see a game.”

            “It’s cool to get to meet all of our fans,” said junior forward Danae Kaimuloa of the women’s soccer team. “We’ve all signed some autographs and I think it’s really great for all of our teams that everyone gets to be here as one big family.”

            As the number of athletes and fans have grown, so has the venue.

            Four the first four years of the event, players and coaches welcomed fans in the Gene Bishop Field House. Fans would quickly fill the building to capacity, so with over 200 athletes attending this year’s event – and a record turnout expected – tables and chairs were laid out across Glen Bryant Field to accommodate the masses.

            What started as a fun idea for the local fans has quickly turned into an anticipated event all throughout Eagle Nation.

            “Each year, we see new fans, as well as ones that have been here every time,” said Jones. “It has really reached everyone. This is a Georgia Southern University event. Faculty and students are coming out as well as coaches and their entire families. There are even fans who will make the trip the whole way from Atlanta. It’s good to see the excitement for GSU athletics.”

            While “Meet the Eagles” is marketed to the fans that fill the seats, it can be just as beneficial for the newest members of the Eagles.

            “I think we all appreciate the support,” said freshman quarterback Jerick McKinnon “Everybody here is crazy for Georgia Southern. As a freshman, it makes me feel like I’m accepted as part of the family and that I fit right in.”

            Now that the fans and athletes are familiar with one another, it’s time to get down to business.

            Both soccer teams have exhibitions this week, and the Lady Eagles take on Winthrop Friday in the first official GSU game of the new academic year. The football, volleyball and cross country teams will return to practice as they await the beginning of their seasons in the coming weeks.

            Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.