With the books closed on FY25 and teams reporting back to campus for preseason camps, the Georgia Southern Department of Athletics has compiled a list of the top highlights from the past season. As the page turns to 2025-26, we wanted to take one last look at the accomplishments from last season as we look to soar into the new academic and athletic year.
"This past year was a powerful statement about who we are and where we're headed," said Director of Athletics Chris Davis. "From record-setting fundraising and championship performances to rising fan engagement and student-athlete success in the classroom, Georgia Southern Athletics continues to build something special and I look forward to watching us do great things this year. This success would not be possible without the unwavering, passionate support for our student-athletes and our entire department from ALL of Eagle Nation … TOGETHER!"
DEPARTMENT
- New Director of Athletics Chris Davis took the reins of the department in November and now heads into his first full season at the helm.
- For the first time in 22 years (since 2003), every head coach will return from the previous season.
- Georgia Southern had the highest finish and most points scored in the Learfield Directors' Cup since transitioning to FBS in 2014.
- The Georgia Southern Athletic Fund had the most donors ever. It also raised the most dollars ever for the Erk Russell Fund, closed on the most major gifts ($25,000 or higher) in department history, established the 1982 Society (the highest giving level yet) and moved the Eagle Nation Collective to part of the Eagle Victory Perch Plan as the newly branded Eagle Nation Fund.
- The athletics department had the best licensing revenue number in the history of the department, growing by 36% over FY24.
- It also debuted new partnerships with Coca-Cola and Aramark Concessions.
- Georgia Southern Sports Properties saw another record-breaking year in the growth of its sports property division. GSSP and Georgia Southern worked in concert to become one of the first departments in the country to secure an on-field sponsor when the Sack Company signed on.
- Baseball had its third-highest season attendance in school history (65,733), was fifth in the Sun Belt in attendance and revenue was up 7% compared to 2024.
- Baseball's Dugout Club had an 82% increase in memberships from 2024 to 2025.
- Men's basketball attendance increased by 10% compared to 2023-24. The program was one of only three Sun Belt schools with an increase in men's basketball last season.
- Men's basketball had its highest average attendance in a season since 2008-09.
- Between baseball and basketball, per-seat donations that were introduced last year generated over $150,000 toward student-athlete scholarships.
- Successfully hosted several high-level events which raised funds for the Eagle Nation Collective, including GATA Jam, In The Round, Evening With The All Stars, Kickoff and Tipoff events for football and basketball, respectively, The Last Drive for the golf programs and Eagle Nation Golf Classics … Stay tuned for the incredible lineup of events for 2025-26!
STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
- The nearly 400 student-athletes posted a 3.18 GPA for the year, tying the record for highest department GPA after setting the mark last year.
- It recorded a record APR, which is a measuring tool used to measure the academic success rate of a department and sports teams.
- A record number of females are now enrolled in the WE Lead cohort, which helps prep them both now and for all of their future endeavors.
- The WE Lead program introduced a mentorship program.
- New SAAC leadership in co-presidents AJ Palma (men's soccer) and Maggie Sale (volleyball) take over this fall.
- The APEX program and CCA partnership (College Career Action) solidified a plan to further enhance and provide a dedicated one-on-one career counseling and mentorship platform for internship and job placement for GS student-athletes.
- The APEX program conducted two community impact projects to serve Bulloch County. Feed the Boro provided 1,000 meals for needy families and the first department-wide Day of Service initiative consisted of various projects impacting over a dozen community organizations.
ATHLETIC SUCCESS
- Rifle finished fifth in the NCAA Championship in its first appearance after winning its fourth straight SoCon title.
- The women's golf team advanced to the NCAA Championship finals for the first time and secured a top-25 finish.
- Imani Moore qualified for the NCAA Championship in the long jump and was awarded the prestigious Elite 90 Award, given to the competitor at the NCAA Championship in their respective sport with the highest cumulative GPA.
- The softball team picked up three Power 4 wins (UCF, Maryland, Michigan).
- The volleyball squad had a Power 4 win over Clemson and was undefeated at home. The squad played in its second consecutive NIVC postseason tournament while also securing the program's first postseason win inside Hanner Fieldhouse.
- Parker Claxton of the men's golf team earned an individual bid to the NCAA Regionals.
- The football team won eight games last year, including wins over rivals App State, Georgia State, Marshall and Coastal Carolina, and made its third straight bowl game.
- Paulson Stadium set a new record last season for regular-season total attendance.
- Nine individual conference titles were won across several sports.
- Five major awards for player of the year were handed out to Eagle athletes by their respective conferences.
FACILITY PROJECTS
- Georgia Southern continues to build at a record pace as $100-110 million in capital projects have begun since 2021.
- The long-awaited Jack and Ruth Anne Hill Convocation Center was completed and opened.
- Locker rooms at men's and women's soccer, as well as track & field, are being upgraded and should be finished soon.
- With the basketball teams moving to The Hill, Hanner Fieldhouse was transformed into a volleyball-specific facility.
- The baseball program broke ground on the Steverson Baseball Facility, which will be completed this upcoming year.
- The Bennett-Ramsey Golf Facility and Howard House, home of Georgia Southern Golf, saw a major bunker renovation project started and completed to benefit both programs.
- Georgia Southern was awarded the 2027 NCAA Rifle Championships, which will be held at The Hill.
- Future upgrades on the softball facility and game day enhancements at Paulson continue to be worked on.
- A plan is in place for the expansion of parking spaces around the Hill Convocation Center, to be completed this year.
The 2025-26 season kicks off on Aug. 14 as the women's soccer team hosts Samford. Georgia Southern football has its first home game on Sept. 13 against Jacksonville State.
Tickets for any sport may be purchased at GSEagles.com/tickets.