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Georgia Southern University, est. 1906, is a University located in Statesboro , Georgia , USA , and part of the University System Of Georgia . It is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia. It has a residential campus of over 16,000 students, with every state and 80 nations represented in the student body. Georgia Southern is the " Raison D'etre " of the town of Statesboro. HISTORY The school which was to become Georgia Southern University was founded as a District Agricultural school in 1906 as one of several agricultural and mechanical trades schools chartered by the Georgia General Assembly , the State Legislature . During the 1920s , 1930s , and 1940s the school expanded, offering a richer curriculum with an emphasis on Education . It progressed from a two-year to a four-year teacher's college during those years. In 1959 , Georgia Southern became a senior College within the University System of Georgia followed by receiving university status in 1990. SPORTS The Georgia Southern Eagles , Baseball , Basketball , Golf , Tennis , Volleyball , Soccer , Softball and Track & Field . The football team has won a record six NCAA Division I-AA national championships ( 1985 , 1986 , 1989 , 1990 , 1999 and 2000 ). The university also offers Intramural teams for all varsity level sports, as well as others such as Equestrian events, Fencing , and Judo . ERK RUSSELL In 1982, former University Of Georgia Defensive Coordinator Erk Russell was hired to revive a football program at Georgia Southern College (as the college was called at the time). Three years later, Coach Russell had won his first of three National Titles ( 1985 , 1986 , and 1989 ). Russell's bald head gave him the nickname "The Bald Eagle". After the Eagles moved to Division I-AA in 1984, he fashioned a 70-14 (.825) mark. Russell averaged 10.4 wins per season. He entered the 1989 season as America's winningest coach, orchestrator of two national championships, 68 wins and 14 All-America selections--during a seven-year period. In the ensuing 105 days, Georgia Southern ascended to the top spot in the NCAA I-AA football poll and Russell smoked 15 victory cigars. Erk's Eagles extended Division I's longest home win streak from 26 to 37 games. Georgia Southern gained distinction as the only 15-0 college team of this century. Coach Russell's final record at Georgia Southern is a remarkable 83-22-1 (.788). STUDENT ACTIVITIES The university has a courts, an indoor track, two dance studios, equipment for Yoga and Pilates , several racquetball courts, and an indoor climbing wall. Various departments within the university offer students the opportunity to participate in as well as enjoy events such as concerts, plays, and musicals. Several national organizations such as the ACM are represented by student chapters. There are a number of Greek Fraternities and Sororities on campus. The first chartered national Fraternity at Georgia Southern was Tau Kappa Epsilon , which colonized on the campus in 1967. The Southern Greek Housing Corporation, a 501(c)3 corporation, owns and operates the Greek housing community, which maintains property adjacent to the University. The corporation is managed by a board of directors, consisting of fraternity and sorority alumni. LOCATION The town of Statesboro is located inland from the east coast off of Interstate 16 between the cities of Macon (which is in central Georgia) and Savannah (located on the Coast of Georgia at the mouth of the Savannah River ). Statesboro is less than one hour's drive from Savannah, about two hours from Macon, and about three and a half hours from Atlanta . EXTERNAL LINKS
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