Hey, Panther Family! Now that football season is kicking off, I'm back to cover GSU Football from a Mama's Perspective for our Third Season!
Three weeks of pre-season football camp ended with today's scrimmage. The pleasantly cool, overcast weather was a welcome change for spectators from the stifling heat of previous scrimmages. It's a sure bet that the team didn't miss the 90 degree days they've endured during "two-a-days," either!
The Scrimmage was at the GSU Football Practice Complex, where you're greeted by a large schedule, next to the reception desk. (We're traveling all the way to Maine and Rhode Island this season!)
Excitement is building! The team is enthusiastic. Everyone is looking forward to the Georgia State Panther's THIRD football season, which will be our only season playing Colonial Athletic Association teams. This will also be Coach Bill Curry's final season.
Coach Bill Curry with former Georgia Tech teammate Billy Williamson.
Pre-scrimmage stretching
Ready to Rumble!
Coach Curry's wife, Carolyn, enjoyed the Scrimmage with "GSU Panther Mama," Jamie Wyatt
At least five former Panthers were at the Scrimmage today!
Ben Jacoby, Kalan Jenkins, Louie Muasau, Bailey Woods (Kalan Jenkins is a Graduate Assistant for the team. Bailey Woods is coaching at Walker High School.)
My son, DB, Blake Wyatt with former player Arthur "Bully" Williams
Blake Wyatt, Christo Bilukidi and Jake Muasau at 2012 Spring Game
This Panther Mama is VERY proud that two of "my boys" are heading to the National Football League! Christo Bilukidi was drafted in the sixth round by the Oakland Raiders, as the 189th overall pick. Jake Muasau signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants!
Christo and Jake are fine young men on and off the field, and they will represent their families and GSU well. I know the entire Panther Family is thrilled for Christo and Jake, and will look forward to watching their Pro careers! Congratulations to both of you!
After a game: Front: Travis Evans, Back row l to r: Blake Wyatt, Trey Ennis, Christo Bilukidi, Kail Singleton, and Bailey Woods
Panther Mama loves it when she has a "full house!" From Left front, clockwise, in camo, John Murphy with GSU Panthers Mark Hogan, Blake Wyatt, Christo Bilukidi, Panther Dad Ed Wyatt, and Jake Muasau.
(Monday, April 9, 2012) Today's 2 p.m. press conference atThe Georgia Dome confirmed the buzz that Georgia State would accept theSun Belt Conference's invitation to rejoin the Sun Belt! (In August of 1976, GSU was one of 6 founding members of theSun Belt Conference.)
Approaching the Dome, via the Blue Carpet, at the gate where the Panthers enter during their "Panther Walk" on Game Days. (The band performed today, too!)
I arrived at one o'clock, and took a seat on the fifth row, behind the reserved seats. Coach Bill Curry, and his wife Carolyn, were among the first to arrive, so we had a nice five minute visit. Dr. Becker joined us, shook hands, chatted a minute, then asked Coach, "Can you believe it's only been 36 months since you and I sat down to talk about a football team?"
Coach Curry responded shaking his head just a little, "I know. And right after that, people were already asking, 'When are we going to be Division I?' I told them, we don't even have a chin strap yet! We don't have a football! I never thought it would happen this fast!"
Needless to say, as Coach Curry continued to greet the fans, there was excitement, and an air of anticipation. Fans, coaches, and players lined the walls waiting for the panel to arrive. The chairs were full.
Coach Bill Curry, center, greeting fans.
Full House with Standing Room Only, Awaiting the Start of the Press Conference!
(There was another whole section of chairs to the left of this photo, as well.)
L to R: Dave Cohen, Carl Benson, Cheryl Levick, Dr. Becker, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.
"Voice of the Panthers," Dave Cohen (in photo at the podium), started the press conference by introducing the panel, from far right of photo, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. Chancellor of Troy University and Sun Belt Conference President, Dr. Mark Becker, President of Georgia State University, Cheryl Levick, Director of Athletics, and Carl Benson, Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference.
Introduction and Carl Benson's speech (3 minutes):
30 Second Video of the Conference President's actual invitation to join the conference, and presentation of Sun Belt Hats to President Becker and Cheryl Levick:
President Becker spoke of joining the Sun Belt Conference as another example of Georgia State University's "continually raising the bar on ourselves. He said, "We are delighted we will kick off our second century competing in the Sun Belt.
Video of President Becker's Official Acceptance (20 seconds):
Cheryl Levick stated that under Dr. Becker, GSU is growing in size and stature as a research university. She talked about how being in the Sun Belt Conference will increase exposure and notoriety for the entire university. Ms. Levick took advantage of the opportunity to ask Commissioner Benson to consider relocating the Sun Belt Conference offices to Atlanta, and to schedule tournaments and playoffs here.
Ms. Levick flashed huge grin as she spoke of Georgia State's "big step up" to one of only eleven conferences with post season bowls, emphasizing "FBS, Folks, FBS!" She then praised the marketing and publicity staff for their efforts to start publicizing GSU's Sun Belt affiliation, as the banner shown below was unfurled.
GSU has formally withdrawn from the CAA. Decisions about conference playoffs this year, as well as paperwork and other details for the NCAA, are still pending.
The panel entertained questions from the press, then adjourned the conference, while key people moved to a private room for one on one press interviews. The Panther Family--fans, players, coaches, and staff--lingered and mingled, basking in the afterglow! WHAT AN EXCITING DAY!
An enthusiastic crowd, made up of Georgia State family and fans, lined the football practice field and filled the temporary bleachers for the Spring Scrimmage. Coach Bill Curry welcomed everyone, and shared comments throughout the warmups and scrimmage.
Coach Curry Greeting the Panther Fans
The offense won the scrimmage. A number of players had good plays. Lots of new faces had playing time today. Defense had 14 players sidelined with injuries (including my son, and his roommate, Mark Hogan, GSU's first signed player.)
It was fun seeing former players returning for the scrimmage! Several former Panthers are in the process of trying out for the NFL draft!
Many attendees enjoyed their first look at the indoor practice facility, which opened in August 2011. The building houses locker rooms, training rooms, film room, laundry, conference rooms, etc. (The team has been using the practice fields for two years.) The football complex is a great example of GSU's influence on urban renewal in Atlanta.
It was great to see fellow "Panther Mamas," Dads, family members, and fans today! We're looking forward to starting Season Three on Thursday, August 30th, at the Georgia Dome! GO PANTHERS!
The Panther's overtime defeat at the Alamo Dome was tough. I thought we had it won. On a positive note, there was lots of good defensive play, and some nice "teamwork" from the team. We literally, had the game won till the last seconds of the 4th quarter. Serious bummer....
Alamo Dome
Except for the loss, San Antonio was a great trip. The Alumni Association did a great job taking care of GSU alumni and fans in San Antonio. It was fun spending time with Panther Fans, family members of players and coaches, and Alumni Association and Football staff.
River Walk in San Antonio, with the orange merging flames statue,
which was a gift from Mexico, in the background.
The Alumni Association hosted a very nice reception on the River Walk on Friday night at Rio Rio Cantina, and a brunch at the Hyatt Regency (where the team stayed), before the game. The Alumni Association also arranged transportation to and from the game. The Georgia State contingent in San Antonio was not huge, but we were loud and proud!
Panther Mamas Beverly Hogan and Jamie Wyatt with
Carolyn Curry (Coach Bill Curry's Wife)
