Summer 2020

  • Jared Benko

    A Time to Soar

    New Director of Athletics Jared Benko Joins Eagles During Historic Challenges Jared Benko began his tenure as the new director of athletics for Georgia Southern on April 1, right in the middle of historic challenges for the University, for athletics and for the nation. On March 12, just three days after his first visit to the…

  • Don’t Stop Believin’

    Former Eagle Kicker Overcomes Adversity to Make it in the NFL Younghoe Koo (’17) came to Ridgewood, New Jersey, from South Korea having never touched a football. Last year, he signed mid-season as a kicker with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming one of only four Korean-born NFL players. How did he get from South Korea to the NFL?…

  • The Body Keeps the Score

    Merabu Nagwandala Overcomes Illness, Rewrites Record Books in Cross Country Merabu Nagwandala is an unlikely legend in Georgia Southern athletics history. She holds six University records in track and field, but it was only a few short years ago that anyone could have imagined her running at all. As a child in Kampala, Uganda, Nagwandala was a talented…

  • Sidelines

    Basketball NEW HEAD COACH New Georgia Southern basketball coach Brian Burg says his job is a “dream come true.” The former Texas Tech assistant coach was named head coach by new Director of Athletics Jared Benko. Burg spent four seasons with the Red Raiders and helped lead Texas Tech to the NCAA Championship Game in…

  • Wendell Tompkins

    Always an Eagle

    Longtime Alumni Association Leader Retires You might say Wendell Tompkins arrived at Georgia Southern in 1982 and never left. Aside from a short absence, he has spent almost 40 years at Georgia Southern – first as a student then as an employee. Tompkins admits he found a second home at the institution he loves. “As…

  • Virtual Eagles After Hours

    Virtually True Blue

    Alumni Team Keeps Eagles Engaged During Pandemic As Eagles across the globe began to shelter in place, Georgia Southern’s alumni team shifted to virtual events to maintain engagement and entertainment. Alumni joined in for workouts, Eagles After Hours events, coloring sheets, and family fun with Trivia/Bingo. Southern Strong Virtual Workouts Alumna America Minc (’03) hosted our…

  • True Blue Tailgate

    2019 Cure Bowl Alumni Tailgate One of the Largest Ever

    More than 1,000 alumni showed up for the 2019 Cure Bowl Alumni Tailgate on December 21, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. The event was held at the Cheyenne Saloon with live music by Pee Wee Lewis and the Hues.

  • Chronicles – Summer 2020

    Eddie McCurley (’76) was recently honored by having the Hart County Comprehensive High School basketball court dedicated to him and his former coach, Bill Ensley. McCurley led Hart County to four Georgia state championships in 1989, ’90, ’91, and ’92. He retired in 2016 after 32 years of coaching basketball. David Chancey (’79) completed 20 years as…

  • Gratitude Gala

    Focusing on Philanthropy

    Gratitude Gala Celebrates Georgia Southern’s Exceptional Donors An audience of alumni, donors, faculty, staff and other guests gathered for a celebration recognizing four individuals, a foundation and a corporation that have demonstrated longtime support for Georgia Southern University. The annual Gratitude Gala honoring these key recipients was held Feb. 29 at the Mansion on Forsyth Park…

  • Investing in Lives

    Cliff McCurry Honors His Mentor Through Giving Cliff McCurry (Armstrong ’68) knows the value of having someone invest in your life. The Savannah businessman and philanthropist can’t imagine the direction he would’ve taken had it not been for his mentor, Nick Mamalakis. When McCurry was a senior in high school, he returned home from studying…