Call Me Naïve But I Still Believe

When I was asked earlier this year to be a part of the Georgia Southern Radio Network’s broadcast team for the 2009 football season, I was ecstatic. Being a broadcasting student at GSU and a life-long fan of college football, nothing could be better.

Now let me say that no one loves the Eagles more than I do. However, I’m sure there are plenty of fans who know more about the history of Georgia Southern football than I do. I’ve only lived in Georgia for 4 short years and it took more than half that time before I first traveled to Statesboro. But with my new responsibilities as a Studio Host for the GSU Radio Network, I was not going to let my limited number of years following the team deter me.

I immediately purchased a copy of Just One More Time by Jim Halley and Mark McClellan. I quickly read the entire book, and immediately guys like Tracy Ham, Frank Johnson, and Tim Foley became my heroes. If the resurrection of GSU football is not a story made for the big screen, I’m not sure what is.

Of course Erk Russell is well-known even outside of Statesboro and Athens, but Just One More Time provided further insight into this legendary coach and leader. I soon found myself spending countless hours online reading anything and everything I could find on Big Erk.

Fast forward to Fall Camp and my first opportunity to scout this year’s team. I don’t know about anyone else, but I liked what I saw. This year’s team is young, no doubt, but they’re also fiery and full of optimism. And if you can only choose one area where your team has any experience, you would choose the offensive line (GSU has 3 seniors up front). Call me naïve, but magic was in the air at Eagle Creek and I was glad to be a part of it.

So heading into the Week 1 against Albany, needless to say I was all fired up. GSU at home against a tough out of conference opponent--- I’m supporting the broadcast from the studio, then heading over to Buffalo’s Southwest Café for my first post-game show-- life is good, and so are the Eagles!

And if you’re reading this then you probably know the Eagles won that night 29-26 on a last-second field goal by Adrian Mora. A tough, come-from-behind win for the Eagles, but as Coach Hatcher says, we’re just trying to score 1 more point than our opponent.

Fast Forward again 6 weeks into the season. Our boys sit at 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Conference. Not exactly magical, but still in the mix. Again, maybe I was naïve heading into this season-- did I really think they would win every game? Honestly, I never once prepared for a week thinking we would lose. I just never thought about it.

But after a pretty good beating at South Dakota State and a 28-14 loss at Elon, I’m smart enough to know that our backs are against the wall. Do I still believe in this team? Absolutely! Am I being naïve? Perhaps.

But I truly feel this will still be a magical season. In what form that magic comes in I cannot say. Maybe the magic moment will be a road win over Appalachian State. Maybe it will be a 3-game wining streak heading into the Furman game (which could still have us contending for a conference title). Maybe it will be a five-game winning streak to end the season!

Again, am I being naïve? Maybe I am. But I still believe in this team. And I’ll continue to believe. That’s the great part about being a fan. You never stop believing, no matter what.