September 01, 2010 Casey Stoddard

casey@connectstatesboro.com

    Georgia Southern is a school rich with tradition.
    Eagle fans have a reputation for being some of the rowdiest fans in the stands, and there are good reasons for it. But if you don't pregame by the rules, you could find yourself in a heap of, well, you could find yourself looking like a complete moron. If you are new to Eagle football, these tips will help you look like a knowledgeable fan and possibly keep you from getting verbally accosted on game day.  
    1. Know who we're playing. You don't have to know all about the rivalry or the scores from the past five years. Just know who the opposing team is, for crying out loud.
    2. When you hear the horns start blowing and see a yellow school bus in the distance, it's time to head to the gates to welcome the team. Get out there, and show your Eagles some love.   
    3. Never wear red or purple. No matter who we're playing, those colors could get you assaulted, either verbally or physically. Take your pick.
    4. Pace yourself. The best part of going to a Georgia Southern football game is going to the game. You don't have to play flip cup for three hours straight before you go to the game, but if you do, remember that hydration is key. Be sure that even if you are taking shots and downing a few beers while you are tailgating, you also are drinking lots of water. It's going to be hot out there and staying hydrated could make all the difference. That smokin' hot guy or girl you've been making eyes at all day won't be thinking you're super sexy when you toss your cookies in the middle of the bleachers.
    5. If you don't know how to use a grill, now is not the time to pretend you do. You could really hurt yourself, or someone else.  
    6. As a follow up to number 3, don't go to an Eagle football game wearing your UGA merchandise. Eagle fans take this seriously. If you are caught wearing such disgusting things, you could end up wearing your Bud on your shirt. Or worse. There are plenty of places in Statesboro to find awesome GSU merchandise, even if you are on a tight budget — think thrift shops or borrow a shirt from a friend. Also don't ask what the UGA score is during the game. The nicest answer you are likely to get is "who cares?" Just be patient. Scores from other games are announced periodically throughout the game.
    7. There is a line between talking trash to the opponents and verbal assault. Know where that line is and don't cross it. As Erk would say "Do Right."
    8. The student side says "Georgia." The alumni side says "Southern." The student side says "Whose House." The alumni side says "Our House." (That's W-H-O-S-E not W-H-O'-S, right Chattanooga?) Get the cheers right; there really aren't that many of them and there's no quicker way to make yourself look like a doofus than to not know the cheers. Plus, if you get these wrong, upperclassmen will call you out, and it likely won't be pleasant.
    9. Clean up! At the end of the day there are usually students out with bags to collect recycling, so keep your bottles and cans separated from the rest of your trash. What cannot be recycled should be trashed. Paulson is not called the "prettiest little stadium in America" for nothing. Let's try to keep it that way. 

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