"The Impact of the GATA Mentality on Georgia Southern Eagles: A Closer Look"

In the realm of college football, specific teams are renowned not just for their skillful plays but also for their spirit. Our Georgia Southern University's football program and Erk Russell's famous saying are prime examples. Us Eagles might bleed blue and gold, but we are fueled by the True Blue spirit and what is famously known as the "GATA mentality." This mentality is embodied in the fields, tracks, courts, pools, the classrooms, and the daily lives of our entire student body. GATA truly encapsulates more than just a catchy phrase. Most of us know that GATA is an acronym for "Get After Their Asses" or "Get After Those Academics." That first time, when you start seeing the eagles on the supporting beams of the bridges on I-16 and drink the city of Statesboro tap water, is the moment the GATA mentality enters your body and never leaves. I am sure you can relate, but for our students, staff, and supporters, the notable saying has a much deeper meaning. GATA embodies a mindset, a relentless pursuit of victory, a refusal to succumb to adversity, and an unwavering commitment to giving one's all in every single play.

At its core, the GATA mentality is about toughness. We are tough here at Georgia Southern.In a world where wins and losses often measure success, the GATA mentality reminds us that true victory lies in the relentless pursuit of excellence, in the refusal to accept anything less than our best. It's a rallying cry, a source of inspiration, and a beacon of hope for everyone at the institution who dares to dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality. But most importantly, getting after academics means believing in yourself and your abilities. It means recognizing that you have what it takes to succeed and that failure is another opportunity to learn and grow.

Off the field, the GATA mentality extends into the classroom, the community, and beyond. Walking around campus or while attending various athletic games, without a doubt, you will hear someone yell GATA! GATA is something ten years down the road; when you are an alumni, it will bring unity and connect with fellow alums in the world beyond college. For sure, it will bring you back to the good old days. It instills a sense of discipline, work ethic, and leadership that serves you long after college.

It might just seem like a word, but it's not. GATA is about digging deep, tapping into reserves of strength and resilience that players on the field and students in the classroom didn't even know they possessed. We constantly stare down challenges with steely determination and say, "We will not be defeated." No matter how hard classes get, as a student, I always refer back to GATA. GATA gets up for the day; GATA does this, and GATA does that to graduate. I could go on and on, but it is always GATA do this, GATA do that.

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For me, my favorite GATA feeling truly is, the feeling you get after pulling an all-nighter in the boro, whether that be from studying at Club Hendy or enjoying your passions, and waking up feeling on top of your game ready to tackle your day, and then go home to reward yourself with a “college” nap. You've just powered through what felt like three days in one and come out feeling like a champ, You've totally GATA'd it. And that is the GATA feeling that keeps myself and every eagle going, day in, day out, in our crazy over-scheduled, stressful college lives!

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But GATA goes beyond physical toughness; it's also a mindset of mental fortitude. This mentality isn't just drilled into players during practice sessions or locker room pep talks. It's a way of life—a culture that permeates every aspect of the Georgia Southern. Everyone is united by a shared belief in the power of the GATA mentality.

So Eagles, here's to that GATA mentality—to the players and students who embody it, the teachers and coaches who cultivate it, and the fans and parents who cheer it on. So whether you're hitting the books in Club Hendy or doing anything in the boro. Remember to embrace the GATA mentality in all that you do. Get after those academics with the same passion and determination you bring to your sport, and watch your hard work pay off in ways you never thought possible. GATA!  Because when we truly commit to getting after it, there's no limit to what we can achieve. GATA!

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Dear reader, I challenge you to think what does GATA mean to you and how do you GATA in your own life? Remember It's about maintaining focus and composure in the face of pressure, staying calm under fire, and believing in oneself and one's teammates when the odds seem stacked against them. It's about personal growth, pushing yourself to new limits, and discovering what's possible amongst the trenches. It's about pushing yourself to be a better human. To all my readers, may you strive to embrace its principles in our lives, on and off the field, and may it continue to inspire generations of future, present and past eagles to come.

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Do you have the GATA Mentality?

• Yes
• No
• I DON'T GO TO SOUTHERN

Written by:  Keenen Clark