SAVANNAH — Eagles head football coach Jeff Monken addressed a full house Thursday at the Georgia Southern Greater Savannah Area Alumni Network business luncheon, providing a preview of the 2013 season to fans.
Monken spoke about coach Erk Russell and the roots of the Eagle football program, the excitement surrounding this season and the move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. The coach took questions on a variety of topics after his speech.
“Our university is now in a position to be recognized nationally — not just regionally, or not just in our state — because of the outstanding academic programs we have,” Monken said. “If we are a university that is recognized for its excellence as an academic institution, then every program at our university needs to strive to have success at the highest level and that includes football. To do that, we have to be included in the conversations with programs that are the best in the nation.”
Frank Hook, director of donor relations for the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation, provided an update on the ongoing construction at Paulson Stadium, including the expansion project and the progress on the Football Operations Center. Bishop Field House, which anchors the west end zone, will be transformed by the season opener with the addition of the Bishop Club, seating for 200 and a new scoreboard.
Guests enjoyed Johnny Harris barbecue and sweet tea as part of the buffet lunch.
The Greater Savannah Area Alumni Network gathers monthly and holds other special events throughout the year.  For more information, call Rick Bean at 912-629-2143 or email rbean@krtcpa.com.
Both season and single-game tickets for the 2013 Georgia Southern season are on sale now. Buy them online at GSEagles.com/tickets, call 1-800-GSU-WINS or go to the Athletics Ticket Office at 203 E. Lanier, where associates provide assistance between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.