The Evolution of Gus

By Jordyn Mobley

The heart of any university is not just its academics or athletics but its traditions as well. At Georgia Southern, one of the most beloved symbols of the school is the mascot Gus the Eagle.

Gus rallies Eagle Nation at every sports game and campus event. However, Gus was not always the face of Georgia Southern. His evolution mirrors the growth of Georgia Southern itself. 

Georgia Southern was opened in the early 1900s as a District Agricultural and Mechanical school. Throughout the years, it transitioned into Georgia Teacher’s College, then Georgia Southern College, and finally gained university status in the 1990s.

As the campus grew, so did the need for a symbol that unites the student body. That’s where the idea of Gus was born. 

“It’s crazy to think that Gus wasn’t once on our campus,” said criminal justice major Sarah Campbell. “He’s such a pivotal part of Georgia Southern.”

Gus made his first official appearance in the 1980s, when Georgia Southern started gaining attention, specifically in football under coach Erk Russell.  The Eagles won multiple NCAA championships in the late 80s, and Gus was essential in keeping the fanbase engaged at the games. 

Originally, Gus was cartoonish and exaggerated. He had large eyes, feathers, a bulky frame and an oversized beak. Over time, his appearance changed into something more refined. His appearance evolved like how Georgia Southern’s image revolved; he is now sleeker, more athletic and full of personality. 

“He looked kind of crazy in the '80s,” said the current Gus mascot. “The costume looks way better now than it did before.”

The spirit of Gus is brought to life by the students who perform as him. They are all anonymous under the character at the time that they are Gus. However, only the people closest to them know that they perform as Gus during their time. They are sworn to secrecy, which can be hard for some college students when they have a personal life outside of the costume. 

“I like to keep it as under wraps as possible, because I don’t want regular people knowing,” said the current Gus mascot. “I tell a lot more people than I should, but it ruins the entire image with the more people that know.”

There is a lot of pressure that comes with being the face of the university. Although the students who perform as Gus don’t feel the pressure off the field, they feel it when they are under the mask.

“As soon as I’m in the costume, I have to make sure that I’m acting professionally and that I’m representing the school as best as possible,” said the current Gus mascot. “Outside of the costume, I can act as wild and crazy as I want to.”

For alumni, Daniel Flood, acting as Gus was one of the best moments of his college career. It meant a lot for him to contribute to the school in some way. He explained how Georgia Southern still feels like home to him because of how much it means to him and his family, since he grew up only 30 minutes outside of Statesboro. He described the opportunity to play Gus as a blessing. 

Over the years, Gus has become more than just a mascot. He embodies what Georgia Southern is all about. Whether he is in the stands of Paulson Stadium or out in the community of Statesboro, his presence unites Georgia Southern Eagles from the past, the present and the future. 

“My experience was as Gus was absolutely incredible,” said Daniel Flood. “The people I had the opportunity to meet and connect with over my years is really what made my time so incredible.”