Georgia Southern football began Tuesday with the first week of spring practice.
New head coach Willie Fritz and the Eagles head to the banks of “Beautiful Eagle Creek” at 4 p.m. with the first period beginning at 4:15 p.m.
The Eagles will be in full pads only three times during spring ball, with the annual Blue-White Spring game on Saturday, April 12 serving as one of those scrimmage situations.
Dates, times and locations are subject to change and may be impacted by weather conditions. Practices are open to the public, but any filming, recording or photography is limited to members of the media only.

Remaining dates
Thursday, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, 2;45 p.m.
April 1, 4:15 p.m.
April 3, 4:15 p.m.
April 5, 9:30 a.m. at Paulson Stadium
April 8, 4:15 p.m.
April 10, 4:15 p.m.
April 11, 4:45 p.m.
April 12, noon, Blue-White Spring Game, Paulson Stadium

Savannah alumni
Defensive coordinators Jack Curtis and offensive coordinator Doug Ruse will provide members of the Eagle Nation a recap of the first day of practice and discuss the expectations and goals for Georgia Southern football this spring at the Savannah Alumni Business Luncheon Thursday.
Held at the Johnny Harris Banquet Facility at 1651 E. Victory Drive in Savannah, serving lines for the Savannah Business Luncheon open at noon with the program beginning at 12:20 p.m. and concluding at 1 p.m.
The cost of the luncheon is $10 which includes buffet, sweet tea, tax and gratuity.
For more information, contact Laney Claxton at eaglefan87@yahoo.com.
Fans, friends and alumni are always welcome to attend the Savannah Business Luncheon, however, due to NCAA regulations, bringing students in grades 9-12 to this month’s event is not encouraged.

Anniversary years
Georgia Southern Football will recognize the 1989 and 1999 national championships and the 25th anniversary of the “Hugo Bowl.”
Eagle fans will enter Paulson Stadium this fall, 30 years after its inaugural game in 1984, to a facility that has undergone an incredible transformation. The mid-deck nears completion on the north side while construction continues on the Football Operations Facility in the east end zone.

Position changes
Two position changes have been made as Junior Nardo Govan makes the move from running back to tight end and junior Antwione Williams switches from linebacker to defensive end.
 
Injured Eagles
Six Eagles will not participate in 2014 spring practice: OL Logan Daves, DE Rafael Hardee, DE Lennie Richardson, S Deion Stanley, S Loy Waters and WR Ezayi Youyoute.

January enrollees
Signing at the mid-year, three student-athletes joined the Georgia Southern Football program and enrolled in classes in January: junior WR Derek Keaton, freshman OL Ryan Northrup and junior RB Ken Thomas. All three will practice with the Eagles this spring.
 
Season opener
The Eagles open their season with one of their five first-time opponents, meeting N.C. State in Raleigh on Aug. 30.
It will be Georgia Southern’s first meeting against an Atlantic Coast Conference school since playing North Carolina in 2009. The Eagles have played three times previously on Aug. 30, but the earliest season opener was on Aug. 29, a Thursday night, at Delaware, in 2002.

Rushing titles
Even in its first year in transition, Georgia Southern managed to claim not just one, but two NCAA rushing titles. The Eagles finished the 2013 season with the top team rushing average in both the FBS AND FCS for the second-straight year with 360.4 yards per game.  In the Eagles’ victory over Florida at “The Swamp,” Georgia Southern racked up 429 yards, the fourth-highest total ever recorded against the Gators.

Tickets
Season ticket holders may renew their season tickets through April 18 and Eagle fans wishing to purchase new season tickets can place their orders now with seat locations to be determined after the end of the renewal process. A limited number of Family Plan grass seats are available for the season for $145 for two and $75 per additional grass seat. To renew, visit GSEagles.com/renewals or for more information about new tickets, call 1-800-GSU-WINS during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Construction zone
Georgia Southern fans can watch the progress at Paulson Stadium on both the seating expansion project and the construction of the new Football Operations Center by visitingtinyurl.com/pardonourprogress. Now the deck sections are complete, seating installation continues with bleachers and seat backs being put in place. Georgia Southern’s May 10 Commencement will be the first official event in the newly expanded Paulson Stadium with the Sept. 6 home opener set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Follow the Eagles
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channelsfacebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Eagle fans can follow Coach Willie Fritz’s twitter account @CoachWEFritz.