Charlton Young had a few questions to pose to the handful of fans that attended the Georgia Southern basketball “Meet the Eagles” pep rally Friday evening in Hanner Fieldhouse.

First, the first-year men’s basketball coach couldn’t figure out why people had a problem with the way he refers to GSU.

“Ever since I got back in Statesboro, I’ve been hearing rumblings because I like to say ‘The’ Georgia Southern University,” said Young. “I want to make a public announcement saying I don’t really care. That’s how I feel about Georgia Southern University.”

He reminded the fans in attendance where it started.

As a Georgia Southern player back in 1992, Young and the Eagles found themselves down 26 points to Georgia State during a regular-season game in Hanner. He credits the fans in attendance for “picking them up off the mat” as the Eagles came back for the win.

The Eagles rematched Atlanta’s GSU in the TAAC championship that year in Hanner, and that’s where it started.

“Long story short, we pounded them 95-82, and it wasn’t that close,” said Young about the game that sent the Eagles to their most recent appearance in the NCAA tournament. “After we cut down the nets – with the exception of marrying my beautiful wife on 8-8-98, and my four kids – that was one of the most beautiful days of my life. As we walked off the court, the crowd screamed, ‘The real GSU! The real GSU!’ That is why I say ‘The Georgia Southern University. Those were the best days of my life.”

Young’s second question was about the attire of many Georgia Southern students. He couldn’t figure out why there were so many Georgia shirts around Statesboro.

“Here’s the bottom line – we have six national championships. They have one,” Young said about the Bulldogs. “I know they’re at a different level, but a championship is a championship. We’ve got six and they’ve got one. We’ve got to be proud of who we are.”

He then encouraged those in attendance to go out and support the football team.

“Our football team has hit some bumps in the road,” he said. “Guess what? Get out there and make some more noise. When I see them losing I don’t talk bad about them. I say, ‘I gotta go help coach them. I’ve got to help these boys with my mind.’ Instead of 15,000, let’s have 30,000 for the football team.”

When Young finally got around to talking about the 2009 basketball season, he made it very clear that his goal is to get Georgia Southern back to the level that he remembers as a player.

“I would like to make a public announcement, and that public announcement is very simple – it is time to get our swagger back,” he said. “It is time to realize who we are.”

He left the crowd with something else to be excited about: “I’ll see you guys this season, and at the end of the season when we’re cutting down these nets.”

NOTES: Women’s basketball coach Rusty Cram also addressed the crowd. … Fans in attendance were treated to a performance by the GSU cheerleaders and a routine by “GUS” the Eagle, as well as “GUS’s dad.” … There was a three-point contest, a slam-dunk contest and a scrimmage with GSU players.



Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.