GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYATHLETIC FOUNDATION Winter 2013

Soaring

INSIDE

Fall SportS in photoS

Frank hook: From the GoodneSS oF hiS heart

Journey into the SunBelt

Gata CluB and rinG oF ChampionS

For all the riGht reaSonS

On his personal list of accomplishments, Frank Hook notes ‘thousands of friends,’— a stand-out phrase that seems to eclipse the importance of all the other notable and impressive

experiences of a man who will quickly connect with you in a caring way, even if you are a perfect stranger. And the caring is real.

Many people know and love Frank. His story can be told through his sterling activities and associations stretched across his lifetime. Broadly noted for his past work in recreation in Bulloch County, his time as a basketball official in both high school and college arenas, his service through his church, First Baptist, and his fraternity, Sigma Chi—through all of these and more, Frank has made a significant mark on his community.

But it is his love of Georgia Southern, the college just down the road from his childhood home, which has captivated him since the age of six, and continues to dominate his daily routine in his quest to serve others.

For those of you who may not know Frank, he is the current Director of Donor Relations for the Georgia

Southern University Athletic Foundation. Yes, one of our own. Yet we wanted you to know him because we felt that he exemplified all that we strive for as a foundation and more—the ability to connect with, and truly make a difference for, our fellow man. Frank has done so while earning that list of accomplishments headed with “thousands of friends.”

It all started for Frank when he went to Georgia Southern baseball and basketball games with his father as a little boy. Then it was grade school at Marvin Pittman, the Georgia Southern laboratory school that was a training ground for budding early childhood educators, and finally the college was an uncontested choice for him to earn his undergraduate degree.

Yet, these markers only tell a part of his Georgia Southern story. In the mid 80s, he became a volunteer with the Southern Boosters, the philanthropic organization that pre-dates the Athletic Foundation. Finding success in the fundraising field, Georgia Southern became his employer, and it was an unparalleled match of a man and a University with a mission to educate youth. With his kind ability to connect with people, he became the capital funds director of Southern Boosters then he quickly became

the Boosters’ president, holding that position until 1995, when the office of Alumni Relations named him its director of alumni. Everyone connected with Georgia Southern then had the opportunity to know him.

Frank notes that he has always wanted to help the broader University population. “I am not just an athletics person; I want the school to be recognized significantly in a number of ways. You do not have a whole school if all you have is athletics—if you do not have academics too,” he says. His philosophy truly echoes the very premise of the Athletic Foundation’s mission of ‘Rings and Diplomas’ that speaks to both athletics and academics.

His retirement from the University came in 2011, but his Georgia Southern story continued. The Athletic Foundation was launching an ambitious capital campaign to raise $36 million for athletic programs and facilities thus breathing life into the future of Eagle Athletics while soundly impacting the rest of the University, the community and the region with a new generation of growth.

So there was to be no retirement for Frank, and he joined the staff at the Athletic Foundation. “I wanted

From the Goodness of His Heart

Few people know that it was Frank who

delivered directly to Erk the football he held

up at his press conference announcing him

as the new head football coach at Georgia

Southern. Frank also took him his last

football when he carried it to the funeral

home for Erk’s family to place under his arm.

to slow down, but not quit work,” remarks Frank. “I do not know how long I will be here, but I am having the time of my life, continuing to work for a university that I passionately love.”

Frank began to work his fundraising magic by joining the other hard-at-work Athletic Foundation staff members seeking gifts for the new Football Operations Center. Although he continues with that mission, as well as, other capital campaign projects, his energy recently was directed towards the Transition 20, the visionary group that has stepped up to donate needed scholarship funds for the move to the next level.

And he stepped up too, becoming a member of that group, adding to his lifelong gifts to the school saying, “If I am part of the asking, I need to put my money where my heart is.”

But let’s go back to his childhood years, living just down the road from Georgia Southern, with a family that taught him to connect on a heart level. “My parent’s home was behind my grandmother’s tourist home, so we were a very close knit family,” remembers Frank. “My mom and dad were caring people, and I watched my grandmother Hook run her tourist home

doing things for people from the goodness of her heart. She treated everybody the same—it did not matter if they drove a Cadillac back then or a fishing truck, she connected with people. Little did I realize that her actions were soaking into me.” But they were, making him the man he is today.

Eagles Drain the Swamp and Celebrate.

Fall Sports Moments

photographer Dave Mayo

www.RingsAndDiplomas.com

We can continue as we are today and join the SunBelt as participants. Or, we can roll up our sleeves, as we have done in the past, and be trailblazing leaders.

“The road to leadership is danger laden. No easy task this. A leader must be willing to take the risk, the blame, the brunt, and the storm. Never the easy way. Never safety first. There is a zeal for adventure. A willingness to endure. A devotion to work. A passion to win.”

– An essay by Jerald Panas

Leadership can take on many forms. Each and every one of us can play our part in making sure Georgia Southern is a leader in the SunBelt and not merely a participant. Our Journey into the SunBelt involves three levels of commitment for the Eagle Nation to consider.

Joining the JourneyBe an active participant by helping Georgia Southern secure the necessary funds to become a leader in

The history of the Georgia Southern University Football Program shows us that we have been successful in what we’ve set out to accomplish. From the beginning of talks that led to the

re-birth of football at Georgia Southern, we set out to be trailblazers. Whether intentional, fortunate or just plain lucky, we have placed ourselves in a position of leadership and are looked to nationally as a program others try to emulate.

We are extremely appreciative of those who have, and continue, to put forth the effort and sacrifice that has gotten us to where we find ourselves today. But, you, the members of Eagle Nation, have a choice to make.

Our Journey into FBS Football and the SunBelt Conference can take two paths. We can be participants or we can be leaders. Both paths will take commitment, determination and sacrifice on the part of our student-athletes, university officials, donors and community. The only question is, “How much are each of these groups willing to put forth, and down which path will that effort lead us?”

• 2013 Eagle Football Team: With their win against Florida, the 2013 Football team has handed over the goal of winning, even against all odds, to the next generation of Eagle Football players. Their magnificent win garnered the University unprecedented national exposure, as well as, setting the Eagles up as future contenders in the FBS.

“We are setting the tone for next season.” Pre-season quote by Jerrick McKinnon

• Soaring to Victory Campaign Donors: The capital campaign that began in 2011, has met with great success with funds raised to build the new Football Operations Center among other facilities improvements and operational requirements. Donors are invited to give at any level. Named donations begin at $2,500 with a paver on the Erk Russell Plaza to be constructed at the entrance of the Football Operations Center’s Lanier Drive entrance.

• Georgia Southern Students: Their enthusiastic vote to increase their student fees in support of the expansion of Paulson Stadium and for Eagle Athletics to make the move to the FBS was a clear message that it was time to move to the next level.

• Transition 20: Members of the Transition 20 responded to the call for immediate financial support for scholarships for all Eagle sports teams. This effort continues as more leadership donors choose to contribute a minimum of $100,000 to the Transition 20.

the SunBelt Conference. These additional resources will be used to fund scholarships, increase recruiting budgets, provide stability in the coaching ranks and help ensure the academic success of our student-athletes. Such a goal requires the whole of Eagle Nation to get involved.

If you are not yet engaged it is time to ‘Get on the Bus and Join the Journey.’ If you have already lent your support, we ask you to do a little more. Here’s how:

Buy season tickets for football, volleyball, basketball and baseball.• Buy and donate season tickets to be used by local

youth groups and schools.• Make a scholarship gift to the Eagle Fund or

increase your current gift.• Research if your company will match your gift and

submit the necessary forms.• Refer a friend or sign up a friend with the Eagle

Fund as a “Bus Driver.”• Purchase GSU licensed gear and proudly wear it.• Serve on a host committee to plan events in your

hometown.

Are You a Leader or a Participant?

Our Journey into the SunBelt

• 2013 Eagle Football Team: With their win against Florida, the 2013 Football team has handed over the goal of winning, even against all odds, to the next generation of Eagle Football players. Their magnificent win garnered the University unprecedented national exposure, as well as, setting the Eagles up as future contenders in the FBS.

“We are setting the tone for next season.” Pre-season quote by Jerrick McKinnon

• Soaring to Victory Campaign Donors: The capital campaign that began in 2011, has met with great success with funds raised to build the new Football Operations Center among other facilities improvements and operational requirements. Donors are invited to give at any level. Named donations begin at $2,500 with a paver on the Erk Russell Plaza to be constructed at the entrance of the Football Operations Center’s Lanier Drive entrance.

• Georgia Southern Students: Their enthusiastic vote to increase their student fees in support of the expansion of Paulson Stadium and for Eagle Athletics to make the move to the FBS was a clear message that it was time to move to the next level.

• Transition 20: Members of the Transition 20 responded to the call for immediate financial support for scholarships for all Eagle sports teams. This effort continues as more leadership donors choose to contribute a minimum of $100,000 to the Transition 20.

Are You a Leader or a Participant?• Help paint the town blue on game days by flying

GSU flags at your business, have employees wear GSU shirts, and if you are local, put “Go Eagles” signs on your business marquee.

• Support all Eagle athletic teams and attend non-ticketed games with your family.

• Enroll your children in the “Junior Eagle Club.”• Become a member of the “Student Eagle Club.”• Help create home field/court advantage for Eagle

teams by attending and cheering in a loud manner.• Travel to away games in support of our Eagles.

Choosing our PathwayYour active participation by becoming a donor or increasing your commitment to the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation will ensure the long-term stability of our program.

When you make planned, strategic and meaningful gifts, the additional resources will be used to help craft the strategic vision of the athletics department, and help accomplish intermediate-term goals on our journey to a leadership position. This vision requires some of our most ardent supporters to think hard

Are you a leader? Join members of the Eagle Nation who have made that decision! ho have made that decision!

about what they can do to help lead us down the path of leadership.

• Join the Transition 20 and help hyper-fund the scholarship fund.

• Endow a scholarship.• Make a planned gift through your estate.

Determining our DestinyHelp us to ensure our long-term goals with a transformational gift. The funding of a capital project or naming of a facility will provide the resources necessary to not only become a leader, but remain a leader in the SunBelt Conference. This vision requires individuals to leave their legacy and permanent family mark on our program.• Make a capital leadership gift for a specific project.• Help identify / solicit others to donate at the

leadership level.

Will you help Georgia Southern become a leader in the SunBelt Conference? Will you Join the Journey, Choose our Pathway or Determine our Destiny? Call John Mulherin or Frank Hook today to discuss your future gift plans. - John Mulherin

“Getting Athletes Together Again” is a slogan that aptly represents the true purpose of the GATA Club. It is a dues-paying alumni association that has been organized to bring together former Eagle athletes, coaches, managers and trainers, who were Eagles for at least one year, to reconnect them with past members of both their individual sport and other Eagle teams.

Under the umbrella of the GATA Club, members are able to enjoy getting together for social events, alumni games, sports’ events and fundraisers sponsored by the GATA Club. In addition, individual clubs representing each of the Eagle sports help former Eagles stay up-to-date with the current team, as well as, enjoy sport-specific events.

GATA Club

“When I graduated from high school, I could have taken many different paths through life, but Georgia Southern Athletics gave me the opportunity to earn a degree while playing the sport I had loved my entire life.

This opportunity was present because of the selfless donations made to the Athletic Foundation. Without the donors who support Georgia Southern Athletics, countless student-athletes would not have had the opportunity to be a Georgia Southern Eagle. Today, as a former student-athlete, I can safely say that being a Georgia Southern Eagle has impacted every facet of my life. The person that I have grown into is directly related to the opportunity given to me, consequently it is important to me to give back to the program that gave me so much.

My annual donation to the Eagle Ring of Champions is used to enable the same opportunities for the student-athletes of today, and tomorrow. Giving back to the program is the least I can do. After all, who would I be today without Georgia

Southern?”

Justin Callaway Football 2004 – 2008

Proud to be an Eagle!

Eagle Fund Special Projects CoordinatorRing of Champions Member

The GATA Club brings our former Eagle Athletes back together again. This reunion of teams also presents a great opportunity for former student-athletes to come full circle

and give back to the Eagles while paving the way for future players. We are asking former Eagles to pay it forward to the next Eagle athlete needing a chance by becoming members of the Ring of Champions.

The Ring of Champions is an opportunity to not only join the GATA Club, but to also help the future of Eagle athletics by making an annual donation to the Eagle Fund. We are asking our former Eagle athletes to come full circle with a minimum yearly donation of $360. The gift will be directed as a $60 donation to the individual sport, and a $300 donation to the Eagle Fund. Ring of Champions donors may make monthly payments of $30.

Ring of ChampionsGraduate student MiMi

DuBose is in her final

year of eligibility. MiMi

graduated last May with a

degree in Recreation. She

is the leading returning

scorer and was named pre-

season all-conference for

Women’s Basketball.

On the Cover

Soaring

Welcome to the 14h edition of the Georgia Southern

University Athletic Foundation’s quarterly newsletter,

Soaring. Support Georgia Southern University student-

athletes. Call 912.478.5520 or visit www.ringsanddiplo-

mas.com to find out how you can help.

FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS

Emily Archer has been an integral part in the success of the Women’s Soccer team over the last two years and is the true defini-tion of a student-athlete. Emily was a senior and she graduated with a 4.0 GPA a semester early in December.

Congratulations to the 2013 SoCon Volleyball Champions!

GIVE THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME

Name your own bollard or paver on Erk Russell Plaza at the new Football Operations Center on Lanier Drive.

Call or email Frank Hook today. 912-531-7766 fhook@georgiasouthern.edu

John MulherinPresidentjohnmul@georgiasouthern.edu

David BeaubienEagle Fund Executive Directordbeaubien@georgiasouthern.edu

Georgia Southern University Athletic FoundationFrank HookDirector of Donor Relationsfhook@georgiasouthern.edu

Terry HarvinAtlanta Regional Athletics Development Directortharvin@georgiasouthern.edu

Kathryn BryantOperations Coordinatorkathrynbryant@georgiasouthern.edu

Dee ParkerDonor Records Directordparker@georgiasouthern.edu

Justin CallawayEagle Fund Special Projects Coordinatorjcallaway@georgiasouthern.edu

John RamfjordAthletics Ticket Managerjramfjord@georgiasouthern.edu

Pam ParkerAdministrative Assistantpparker@georgiasouthern.edu

Writer/Editor: Bonnie Jaeger

Graphic Design: Hilde Keldermans