When the time came for me to pick a college, I did what a lot of others do; my decision was based on the football program. (Note: I learned this in an introductory course in Sports Management, so it must be true.*) There was also the fact that my father and sister went to Georgia Southern, so it wasn't solely based on the football program. Football was just a big part of it.

My first trip to Paulson was probably something like when Susan Surandon's Anne Savoy from "Bull Durham" went to her first baseball game. She believed in the Church of Baseball. I believe in the Church of Georgia Southern (well, not literally mind you).

I have faith in my team, and that is why I won't turn my back on them. When I graduated, I stayed true to the team and became a Booster.

I didn't do it because of the current team or because of the scholarships. I did it because of the lore, the tradition. I did it for the House that Erk built. I did it because I (inwardly) freaked out like a tween girl at a Jonas Brothers concert when I stood in line behind Erk and I have no shame in admitting when I heard Erk died, I not only cried but lit up a friend's cigar in memory of Erk.

We are Georgia Southern. We are the Eagles. We are the House that Erk built. We come from the magical and humble beginnings on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. We need the inspiration that Erk seemed to take with him when he died. What the Eagle Nation needs is more faith.

We need the fire, the spark that Erk created all those years ago when he took a rag-tag group of young men and turned them into All-Americans.

We'd be asking for no less than a miracle if we said we need another Erk. But there's really a little of Erk's spirit in all of us. We just have to find it and make Our House ours again. The die hard fans have the same magical, legendary spark in their eyes. And it's because of them that I know the eagles will not only fly again - they will soar.

* GA Encyclopedia.