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| Darren McCray #6 |
Click here for the Official Georgia State Inaugural Banquet Photo Gallery
Click here for the GSU Panther Mama's Gallery
Georgia State Football from a Mama's Perspective!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
More Photos: Inaugural Banquet
Click here for the Official Georgia State Inaugural Banquet Photo Gallery
Click here for the GSU Panther Mama's Gallery
Sunday, January 23, 2011
GSU's Inaugural Football Banquet Highlights
(DISCLAIMER: I wanted to share the excitement of GSU's Inaugural Football Banquet, so I tried very hard to write down the speakers' comments verbatim. I may have missed a few words, however, I am confident that I captured the gist and spirit of the remarks.)
The excitement was palpable as we entered the GSU Student Center! Decibel levels increased as athletes gathered in groups with their friends and families. People who had not seen each other since football season were obviously happy to be together again! Talk centered around the excitement of renewed acquaintances, highlights of the Panthers' Inaugural Season, and anticipation of the evening's banquet.
Enthusiasm built as everyone entered the ballroom, and took in the many tables, the stage with podium and large Georgia State banners, and three large video screens. The ballroom was tastefully appointed. Fan-shaped blue napkins stood folded in water goblets around each table. Centerpieces were blue and white pom-poms surrounding the table numbers.
Alternating desserts of red drizzled (strawberry?) New York Cheesecake, and decadent chocolate layer cake with chocolate icing, adorned with even more chocolate, were centered above each place setting. (More than a few people at my table, myself included, yielded to temptation, and sampled our desserts, while waiting for our dinners.)
Mixed green salads with dried cranberries, roasted walnuts, and grape tomatoes were on the tables, also begging to be eaten! We surmised that steak must be on the menu, because large steak knives were alongside the regular silverware. A look at the semi-glossy, tri-fold program on each seat confirmed entrees of Grilled Sirloin Steak with Roasted Yukon Potatoes and Sauteed Green Beans.
Dave Cohen, "The Voice of the Panthers," welcomed everyone, as Master of Ceremonies. Team Chaplain, Dexter Davis, gave the Invocation.
Since serving entrees to so many people was taking longer than anticipated, the program commenced while people continued eating. (The steak, green beans, and potatoes were well-seasoned, bountiful, and delicious.)
Dr. Mark Becker, President of Georgia State University, gave the opening remarks. He started out by saying that his favorite moment from the 2010 Football Season, "the moment that brought tears to my eyes, was when they opened the doors, and the Blue Waves started pouring into the Georgia Dome, and it became real! Your University changed forever! It used to be that when you looked around on campus you would see people wearing Georgia and Georgia Tech t-shirts. Now, you see Blue GSU Panthers everywhere!"
Dr. Becker said that he, and Athletic Director, Cheryl Levick, had both dealt with plenty of skeptics over the last couple of years, including the media. He said they'd been ask how they would handle "folding" the program when it wasn't successful.
Dr. Becker said he never had any doubts that the program would be a success, and that everyone at the banquet had "been part of something very important. People said it could not be done....Take away from this season that you should never let someone tell you that something can't be done!"
Dr. Becker went on to say, "You're going to be winners in life. You are winners here; winners for life! GO PANTHERS!
Cheryl Levick followed. "This Season exceeded expectations far beyond my dreams. I feel like a proud parent. GSU is the 'new kid in town,' and we're celebrating! When I arrived in March 2009, we had 1 player, 2 helmets, and 7 coaches. Now there are 104 players, 146 helmets, and 11 coaches. We had 5,000 season ticket holders, 30,237 attendance at the Inaugural Game, 16,700 average attendance, and 265,321 total fans at home and away!
Then, Cheryl Levick talked about the football players whose efforts made the Inaugural Season a success. "Will the Inaugural Team Stand?" The players all stood, and toward the end of the applause, as the team was being seated, the balance of the crowd rose to give the team a standing ovation.
Ms. Levick, announced that a plaque, similar to the photo below, with all the Inaugural Year Panther Players names will be installed in the new office at the new practice field, and when all the uniforms have been cleaned, each player will receive their jersey with a special Inaugural Season Commemorative Patch.
Ms. Levick then introduced Coach Bill Curry, with a string of superlatives, and said there was no other coach with whom she would rather work. Coach Curry started his comments with these word's from Rudyard Kipling's poem, "The Law for the Wolves"
"Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack."
"There has never been a pack that I've been more proud to be a part of," Coach Curry stated. "The huddle is the bastion of unselfishness in our culture. When you step into a huddle, black white, Democrat, Republican, Jew, Gentile are all there....We learn to work with all kinds of folks. When we sweat together and bleed together, especially when we do it for a year without playing a game (the crowd laughs and applauds)....we realize all sweat smells the same, and we work hard not to let each other down. We laugh, cry, do whatever we need to do, and move on."
Coach Curry ended his remarks with, "To the GSU Community, we haven't even warmed up yet! We're just getting warmed up. We're celebrating a wonderful, magnificent group of young men. We love football, and we will play anybody, anywhere, anytime."
Coach Curry presented the team awards, aided by the assistant coaches. The awards are summarized in this release from the GSU website. 2010 Football Awards in GSU Press Release.
After the awards presentation, the GSU Leadership Council Representatives were called to the stage. The Council called Coach Curry back up on stage, and presented him with two notebooks, filled with handwritten letters from team members, staff, and Coach Curry's family. Full of emotion, all Coach Curry could manage to say was, the gift had rendered him "speechless." Then he said, "God Bless You. Thank you so very much."
The banquet ended on a high note. The lettermen collected their framed letters, jackets and watches, depending on their class status. They savored the moment! The crowd dispersed, anticipating the start of the Second Season of Georgia State University Panther Football, in TWO-HUNDRED and TWENTY-ONE DAYS! GO PANTHERS!
Click Here for Banquet Photos
The excitement was palpable as we entered the GSU Student Center! Decibel levels increased as athletes gathered in groups with their friends and families. People who had not seen each other since football season were obviously happy to be together again! Talk centered around the excitement of renewed acquaintances, highlights of the Panthers' Inaugural Season, and anticipation of the evening's banquet.
Enthusiasm built as everyone entered the ballroom, and took in the many tables, the stage with podium and large Georgia State banners, and three large video screens. The ballroom was tastefully appointed. Fan-shaped blue napkins stood folded in water goblets around each table. Centerpieces were blue and white pom-poms surrounding the table numbers.
Alternating desserts of red drizzled (strawberry?) New York Cheesecake, and decadent chocolate layer cake with chocolate icing, adorned with even more chocolate, were centered above each place setting. (More than a few people at my table, myself included, yielded to temptation, and sampled our desserts, while waiting for our dinners.)
Mixed green salads with dried cranberries, roasted walnuts, and grape tomatoes were on the tables, also begging to be eaten! We surmised that steak must be on the menu, because large steak knives were alongside the regular silverware. A look at the semi-glossy, tri-fold program on each seat confirmed entrees of Grilled Sirloin Steak with Roasted Yukon Potatoes and Sauteed Green Beans.
Dave Cohen, "The Voice of the Panthers," welcomed everyone, as Master of Ceremonies. Team Chaplain, Dexter Davis, gave the Invocation.
Since serving entrees to so many people was taking longer than anticipated, the program commenced while people continued eating. (The steak, green beans, and potatoes were well-seasoned, bountiful, and delicious.)
Dr. Mark Becker, President of Georgia State University, gave the opening remarks. He started out by saying that his favorite moment from the 2010 Football Season, "the moment that brought tears to my eyes, was when they opened the doors, and the Blue Waves started pouring into the Georgia Dome, and it became real! Your University changed forever! It used to be that when you looked around on campus you would see people wearing Georgia and Georgia Tech t-shirts. Now, you see Blue GSU Panthers everywhere!"
Dr. Becker said that he, and Athletic Director, Cheryl Levick, had both dealt with plenty of skeptics over the last couple of years, including the media. He said they'd been ask how they would handle "folding" the program when it wasn't successful.
Dr. Becker said he never had any doubts that the program would be a success, and that everyone at the banquet had "been part of something very important. People said it could not be done....Take away from this season that you should never let someone tell you that something can't be done!"
Dr. Becker went on to say, "You're going to be winners in life. You are winners here; winners for life! GO PANTHERS!
Cheryl Levick followed. "This Season exceeded expectations far beyond my dreams. I feel like a proud parent. GSU is the 'new kid in town,' and we're celebrating! When I arrived in March 2009, we had 1 player, 2 helmets, and 7 coaches. Now there are 104 players, 146 helmets, and 11 coaches. We had 5,000 season ticket holders, 30,237 attendance at the Inaugural Game, 16,700 average attendance, and 265,321 total fans at home and away!
Then, Cheryl Levick talked about the football players whose efforts made the Inaugural Season a success. "Will the Inaugural Team Stand?" The players all stood, and toward the end of the applause, as the team was being seated, the balance of the crowd rose to give the team a standing ovation.
Ms. Levick, announced that a plaque, similar to the photo below, with all the Inaugural Year Panther Players names will be installed in the new office at the new practice field, and when all the uniforms have been cleaned, each player will receive their jersey with a special Inaugural Season Commemorative Patch.
Ms. Levick then introduced Coach Bill Curry, with a string of superlatives, and said there was no other coach with whom she would rather work. Coach Curry started his comments with these word's from Rudyard Kipling's poem, "The Law for the Wolves"
"Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack."
"There has never been a pack that I've been more proud to be a part of," Coach Curry stated. "The huddle is the bastion of unselfishness in our culture. When you step into a huddle, black white, Democrat, Republican, Jew, Gentile are all there....We learn to work with all kinds of folks. When we sweat together and bleed together, especially when we do it for a year without playing a game (the crowd laughs and applauds)....we realize all sweat smells the same, and we work hard not to let each other down. We laugh, cry, do whatever we need to do, and move on."
Coach Curry ended his remarks with, "To the GSU Community, we haven't even warmed up yet! We're just getting warmed up. We're celebrating a wonderful, magnificent group of young men. We love football, and we will play anybody, anywhere, anytime."
Coach Curry presented the team awards, aided by the assistant coaches. The awards are summarized in this release from the GSU website. 2010 Football Awards in GSU Press Release.
After the awards presentation, the GSU Leadership Council Representatives were called to the stage. The Council called Coach Curry back up on stage, and presented him with two notebooks, filled with handwritten letters from team members, staff, and Coach Curry's family. Full of emotion, all Coach Curry could manage to say was, the gift had rendered him "speechless." Then he said, "God Bless You. Thank you so very much."
The banquet ended on a high note. The lettermen collected their framed letters, jackets and watches, depending on their class status. They savored the moment! The crowd dispersed, anticipating the start of the Second Season of Georgia State University Panther Football, in TWO-HUNDRED and TWENTY-ONE DAYS! GO PANTHERS!
Click Here for Banquet Photos
Saturday, January 22, 2011
GSU Inaugural Season Football Banquet
GSU Inaugural Season Football Banquet
I wanted to go ahead and post a link to photos from tonight's banquet. I will post the "Mama's perspective" highlights as soon as possible.
Click here for Photos from Tonight's Banquet.
Official GSU Sports Press Release
I wanted to go ahead and post a link to photos from tonight's banquet. I will post the "Mama's perspective" highlights as soon as possible.
Click here for Photos from Tonight's Banquet.
Official GSU Sports Press Release
Friday, January 21, 2011
Panther Pride Peaks in Tuscaloosa! 11-18-10
Panther Pride Peaks in Tuscaloosa!
Going to Tuscaloosa to watch GSU play the defending National Champions in front of over 100,000 fans, was a great experience for all involved! PANTHER FANS were treated to the spectacle of our New Favorite Team playing in the huge Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of The University of Alabama Crimson Tide's legendary football heritage.
While watching the BAMA fans gather before the game to line the walkway on which the Crimson Tide enter the stadium, I was "fast-forwarding" 20 years into our future, to where, in my mind, "Panther Pride"
will be legendary on its own merit! We will have our own signature
cheers and events with which to inspire awe in our opponents.
(My son is # 18)
The enthusiasm of the BAMA fans was infectious.Those of us in Blue may have been vastly outnumbered by those wearing Crimson and Houndstooth, but we were not intimidated or discouraged!
Hearing our GSU Marching Band perform our new fight song caused Panther Fans' pride to soar to new heights!
"The sky is the limit" when it comes to writing the future of the GSU
Panther Football tradition. Maybe the Athletic Department should have an
online forum and public meetings, and become intentional about getting
input on ideas for new "Panther Traditions," and ways to build team spirit,
fan support, and sponsor "buy-ins" for all Panther sports. (For example:
Everyone making "claws" with their hands, while chanting "Pounce
Panthers" for first downs.)
It would have been nice to have seen a "miracle" win in Tuscaloosa, but, regardless of the score I am VERY PROUD OF OUR INAUGURAL PANTHER FOOTBALL TEAM! Our program is only going to get better! GREAT WORK, GUYS! See you in 2011!
Going to Tuscaloosa to watch GSU play the defending National Champions in front of over 100,000 fans, was a great experience for all involved! PANTHER FANS were treated to the spectacle of our New Favorite Team playing in the huge Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of The University of Alabama Crimson Tide's legendary football heritage.
While watching the BAMA fans gather before the game to line the walkway on which the Crimson Tide enter the stadium, I was "fast-forwarding" 20 years into our future, to where, in my mind, "Panther Pride"
will be legendary on its own merit! We will have our own signature
cheers and events with which to inspire awe in our opponents.
 |
| Bama Fans Lining the Walkway, waiting for their team to arrive. |
The score may not reflect it, but Panther fans have a lot to be proud of
GSU is the
GSU is the
only team to run a kickoff back for a TD on BAMA this year. Here is my
shaky video.
shaky video.
(My son is # 18)
We had some good kickoff coverage. We completed a 55 yard pass. We made a good goal line stand! Defense made some good stops. It was exciting
to watch our guys on the field! I know the team loved playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium!
The enthusiasm of the BAMA fans was infectious.Those of us in Blue may have been vastly outnumbered by those wearing Crimson and Houndstooth, but we were not intimidated or discouraged!
Hearing our GSU Marching Band perform our new fight song caused Panther Fans' pride to soar to new heights!
"The sky is the limit" when it comes to writing the future of the GSU
Panther Football tradition. Maybe the Athletic Department should have an
online forum and public meetings, and become intentional about getting
input on ideas for new "Panther Traditions," and ways to build team spirit,
fan support, and sponsor "buy-ins" for all Panther sports. (For example:
Everyone making "claws" with their hands, while chanting "Pounce
Panthers" for first downs.)
It would have been nice to have seen a "miracle" win in Tuscaloosa, but, regardless of the score I am VERY PROUD OF OUR INAUGURAL PANTHER FOOTBALL TEAM! Our program is only going to get better! GREAT WORK, GUYS! See you in 2011!
 |
| The Panthers are on the Prowl--Entering the Stadium of 100,000+ Fans! |
GSU Panthers in Tuscaloosa! (Nov. 17-18, 2010)
| GAME DAY PHOTO LINK GSU Panthers in Tuscaloosa! The Panthers have scouted out the stadium and visited the Bear Bryant Museum. Here are some photos to get Panther Fans revved up for tomorrow's game! The Kickoff is 7:33 EST, Thurs., November 18th, on ESPN-U GO PANTHERS!  |
| Coming out of the tunnel! |
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| 101,821-seat Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
Blake Wyatt GSU #18 in front of Bear Bryant's Desk
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| Trophies in Bear Bryant Museum |
Coach Curry's Exhibit in the Museum
It's OFFICIAL: GSU Has WINNING Inaugural Season! (November 6, 2010)
It's OFFICIAL:
GSU Has WINNING Inaugural Season!
Today's 23-17 win over Lamar puts Georgia State up by two games, and thus ensures GSU a WINNING INAUGURAL SEASON. Now, even if we happen not to beat BAMA, we'll still end up with a winning season! YAY PANTHERS!
Our Panthers kept things exciting for the fans, right up until the end of the game! Here are some photos of happy team members with family, friends, and fans, taken this afternoon, before, during and after our last home game of the 2010 season!
Our Panthers kept things exciting for the fans, right up until the end of the game! Here are some photos of happy team members with family, friends, and fans, taken this afternoon, before, during and after our last home game of the 2010 season!
Before the game, our GSU Marching Band and Drum Line set the tone for a festive game day experience. Here is a short video of the drum line.
The band was awesome at halftime, as they filled the field and played with "guest students" from several Georgia high schools. Thanks to the Band, Flag team, Cheerleaders, and Pantherettes, for your contributions to the overall Panther Football Experience!
Thanks to the TEAM, Coaches, and Support Staff for all your hard work!
Thanks to Athletic Director, Cheryl Levick, the athletic department staff, sportscasters, film crew, and all others who work "behind the scenes."
Special thanks to the Dome Personnel, concession workers, and clean up crew. This season couldn't have come together without everyone's help, (including the students and their athletic fees! A BIG thanks for those!)
For the last year, it seemed like this football season would never get here. Now, it seems as if our Inaugural Season has flown by! I'm looking forward to next year, already!
As a football parent (Blake Wyatt, #18, OLB, Special Teams), I have enjoyed getting to know the players and their family members. I've also enjoyed meeting other FANS! (Video clip of one of Blake's special team plays I captured today.)
Together, we have watched our team make history, and together, we are on our way to an even brighter future for GSU football! Let's spread the word about the fun, excitement, and entertainment we've enjoyed this season, so next year's experience, and crowds, will be even better!
Special thanks to the Dome Personnel, concession workers, and clean up crew. This season couldn't have come together without everyone's help, (including the students and their athletic fees! A BIG thanks for those!)
For the last year, it seemed like this football season would never get here. Now, it seems as if our Inaugural Season has flown by! I'm looking forward to next year, already!
As a football parent (Blake Wyatt, #18, OLB, Special Teams), I have enjoyed getting to know the players and their family members. I've also enjoyed meeting other FANS! (Video clip of one of Blake's special team plays I captured today.)
Together, we have watched our team make history, and together, we are on our way to an even brighter future for GSU football! Let's spread the word about the fun, excitement, and entertainment we've enjoyed this season, so next year's experience, and crowds, will be even better!
In the meantime, I'll be heading to Tuscaloosa, on November 18th, for the GSU/Alabama Game. Hope to see you there! What a way to end our season! STAY TUNED....
Saturday, November 6th: Last Home Game in Georgia State's Inaugural Football Season!
Saturday, November 6th: Last Home Game in Georgia State's Inaugural Football Season!
(Roll mouse over gray words for clickable links.)
It has been an exciting Inaugural Year for Georgia's newest college football team, the Georgia State University Panthers! The experience has been first class all the way! All home games are played in the Georgia Dome, with the final home game this Saturday, at 1 p.m. The team is on track to finish with a winning season!
My son Blake, #18, is a defensive back. As a "special teams" player, Blake was fortunate to be on the field for the First Ever Kick-off, of Georgia State's First-Ever Football Game against Shorter, and he has played in every game since! (Blake is in the middle of the line, on the far right in the video, jumping up just before the kickoff!)
The atmosphere in the Dome, where all our home games are played, has been electric! When the cheerleaders yell "G-S," the crowd responds, with unbridled enthusiasm, "U!" My "cheerleading voice," dormant since my college cheerleading days, has been reawakened! Everyone is learning the cheers, learning the players' names, and taking ownership of "our" new team!
As the brand new Georgia State University Marching Band takes the field, pre-game, and begins to play, the Dome comes alive! The band forms a lane, through which the football team enters the Dome, and as the cheerleaders and flag bearers run onto the field, ahead of the team, the crowd goes wild! We are ready for some FOOTBALL!
Everyone is learning the new Georgia State Fight Song, written in the spirit of traditional Division One fight songs. The music gives the Fight Song a strong sense of history, and the lyrics give it an "edge!" ("We're from the A-T-L, we're gonna' give 'em hell!")
This weekend is GSU's last Home Game. The Panthers are playing the Lamar University Cardinals, from Beaumont, Texas. We have the next week off, then play our final game of the season on Thursday, November 18th, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, against last year's National Championship Team at The University of Alabama! How about joining me in praying for the safety of both teams, and an UPSET victory for GSU! Hey, it could happen!
Y'all come to the game Saturday! For the best ticket prices, call Georgia State at 1-866-GA-STATE. Tickets will be available at the Gate, starting at $15.00. To order online, go to Ticketmaster, for prices starting at $14.05 including service fee. Forward this to your friends! Let's pack the Dome! GO PANTHERS!
Link for more Photos: Family Photo Album
(Roll mouse over gray words for clickable links.)
It has been an exciting Inaugural Year for Georgia's newest college football team, the Georgia State University Panthers! The experience has been first class all the way! All home games are played in the Georgia Dome, with the final home game this Saturday, at 1 p.m. The team is on track to finish with a winning season!
My son Blake, #18, is a defensive back. As a "special teams" player, Blake was fortunate to be on the field for the First Ever Kick-off, of Georgia State's First-Ever Football Game against Shorter, and he has played in every game since! (Blake is in the middle of the line, on the far right in the video, jumping up just before the kickoff!)
There are a bunch of great guys playing on the team. Coach Bill Curry, and the rest of the coaching and support staff are class acts. Even I, one of the least dedicated sports fans you will ever meet, have fallen in love with the Georgia State Panthers! (The hugs I get from lots of the players, after the game, as "Blake's Mama," are nice, too!) |
 |
| Coach Bill Curry and Blake Wyatt |
 |
| Blake with Samoan brothers, Louie (ILB), on left, and Jake Muasau (OLB) |
 |
| Blake with his former roommate, quarterback Drew Little |
 |
| Blake with running back, Sam Burkhalter, #44 |
 |
| Blake with roommate Kail Singleton (ILB) |
As the brand new Georgia State University Marching Band takes the field, pre-game, and begins to play, the Dome comes alive! The band forms a lane, through which the football team enters the Dome, and as the cheerleaders and flag bearers run onto the field, ahead of the team, the crowd goes wild! We are ready for some FOOTBALL!
Everyone is learning the new Georgia State Fight Song, written in the spirit of traditional Division One fight songs. The music gives the Fight Song a strong sense of history, and the lyrics give it an "edge!" ("We're from the A-T-L, we're gonna' give 'em hell!")
This weekend is GSU's last Home Game. The Panthers are playing the Lamar University Cardinals, from Beaumont, Texas. We have the next week off, then play our final game of the season on Thursday, November 18th, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, against last year's National Championship Team at The University of Alabama! How about joining me in praying for the safety of both teams, and an UPSET victory for GSU! Hey, it could happen!
Y'all come to the game Saturday! For the best ticket prices, call Georgia State at 1-866-GA-STATE. Tickets will be available at the Gate, starting at $15.00. To order online, go to Ticketmaster, for prices starting at $14.05 including service fee. Forward this to your friends! Let's pack the Dome! GO PANTHERS!
 |
| The GSU Panthers! |
 |
| Panthers Win! |
 |
| Special Teams Jumping Before Kickoff! |
 |
| Ed, Blake, Britt, and Jamie |
GSU vs Campbell 9-25-10
GSU vs Campbell--9-25-10
GSU wins on the road at Campbell 24-21! The GSU Panther Mama's son, Blake (# 18), served as Team Captain, representing Special Teams!
GSU wins on the road at Campbell 24-21! The GSU Panther Mama's son, Blake (# 18), served as Team Captain, representing Special Teams!
 |
| Captains: #23 Mark Hogan, #18 Blake Wyatt, #71 Joe Gilbert |
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