BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Georgia Southern’s Day Two in Birmingham’s bowl week delivered a balanced mix of practice, education and team bonding as the eagles prepare for the JLab Birmingham Bowl.
The morning session ran from 10:55 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., building on Day One’s momentum as players tuned their technique and team rhythm ahead of kickoff week.
After practice, the squad visited the Birmingham Civil rights Institute from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., where players and staff deepened their understanding of the city’s history and the lasting impact of the Civil Rights Movement.
During the Institute visit, organizers arranged a family-focused experience at the McWane Science Center, giving the coaches’ and administrators’ families a chance to engage in a shared activity amid bowl-week responsibilities.
Evening proceedings featured a team bowling challenge against App State at Vestavia Bowl Family & Fun Center. App State claimed the top spot in a friendly matchup, complemented by a night of bowling and dreamland BBQ as the Eagles wrapped up the day.
Georgia Southern remains in Birmingham to continue preparations for the JLab Birmingham Bowl, which is slated for Monday, December 29, with a 2 p.m. ET kickoff.
Schedule snapshot
| Activity | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning practice | 10:55 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Team facilities | Continues momentum from Day One |
| Civil Rights Institute visit | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Birmingham Civil Rights Institute | Educational reflection for players and staff |
| Family activity | During institute visit | McWane Science Center | Families of coaches/administrators participate |
| evening bowling | Followed downtime | Vestavia Bowl Family & Fun Center | App State won; Dreamland BBQ included |
Evergreen takeaways for bowl-week preparation
structured on-field work in the lead-up to a bowl game remains crucial, helping players sharpen execution under pressure while building team chemistry away from game-day distractions. Coupled with educational outings and controlled bonding activities, such schedules can reinforce focus, discipline and a shared sense of purpose as teams navigate the highly visible, multi-day lead-in to kickoff.
Community and cultural experiences during bowl week can also enhance perspective, resilience and leadership development within a traveling squad. When paired with targeted practice and light-hearted bonding, they contribute to a well-rounded preparation plan that teams can draw on in future postseason runs.
What element of bowl-week programming do you believe most contributes to a team’s readiness for game day? Share your thoughts in the comments. Do you prefer more strategic on-field work, or balanced offerings that include culture and bonding activities?
Birmingham Bowl Week Schedule: Practice sessions & Team Prep
Day‑by‑Day practice Itinerary (December 28‑31, 2025)
- Monday, Dec 28 – Arrival at Birmingham‑Jefferson convention Complex (BJCC); 90‑minute light‑weight conditioning session on the outdoor field.
- Tuesday, Dec 29 – Morning “walk‑through” at Legion Field followed by a 2‑hour position‑specific drill on the BJCC indoor practice facility.
- Wednesday, Dec 30 – Full‑speed offensive/defensive scrimmage; quarterbacks and receivers run 15‑play passing series, while the defensive line executes four‑gap rush drills.
- thursday, Dec 31 – Final film review, special‑teams walkthrough, and a 60‑minute “Bowl‑Ready” conditioning circuit.
Key practice notes
- Coach Chad Lunsford emphasized “tempo control” during Wednesday’s scrimmage,noting the Eagles’ recent increase in third‑down conversion rate to 42.3 %.
- Strength‑and‑conditioning coach Matt Henderson introduced a “Bowl‑Boost” plyometric routine designed to improve explosive starts for linebackers.
Coaching staff Highlights
- Offensive Coordinator Dave Fitzpatrick: Implemented a no‑huddle spread attack in the Tuesday walkthrough,targeting a 7‑play drive average under 2 minutes.
- Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Cox: Focused on zone‑cover blitz concepts to counteract the bowl opponent’s dual‑tight‑end set.
- Special‑Teams Coordinator Tony Miller: Conducted a 30‑minute place‑kicker accuracy drill, fine‑tuning kickoff coverage lanes for wind‑adjusted conditions at Legion Field.
Cultural Immersion: Civil‑Rights Tour Highlights
why the tour Matters
The Georgia Southern Eagles’ participation in Birmingham’s civil‑rights landmarks aligns with the program’s “Eagle Community Service” initiative, reinforcing the university’s commitment to social responsibility and student‑athlete growth.
Key Stops on the Freedom Route
| Landmark | Historical Importance | Team Activity |
|---|---|---|
| birmingham Civil Rights Institute | Offers immersive exhibits on the 1963 Birmingham campaign, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, and the role of local student activists. | Guided tour followed by a brief Q&A with museum educator Dr. Lena Foster. |
| Kelly Ingram Park | Site of the 1963 “children’s Crusade” and a national monument to peaceful protest. | Players pause for a moment of reflection; senior linebacker K.J. Watson reads a pre‑written dedication to civil‑rights leaders. |
| A.G. Gaston Motel & 16th Street Baptist Church | Symbolic of segregation-era opposition and eventual desegregation of public accommodations. | Photo‑journal segment for the team’s social‑media “Bowl Week Journey” series. |
| Birmingham City Alley (Bowling Alley) – see next section for details. | – | – |
Educational Takeaways
- The Eagles’ Player‑leadership Council compiled a “Civil‑Rights Awareness Guide” distributed to each athlete, highlighting how perseverance on the field mirrors the struggle for equality.
- Coach Lunsford referenced the tour during a team meeting, noting that “the discipline and courage shown by Birmingham’s activists set a benchmark for our own preparation.”
Team Bonding on the Lanes: The Bowling Showdown
Venue & Event Overview
- Location: Birmingham Strike‑Zone, 112 South 30th Street, open‑air alley with 24 lanes and a “college‑night” discount for varsity teams.
- Date & Time: Thursday, Dec 31, 2025 – 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM.
Format & Scoring
- Team composition: Four squads of five players each (Offense, Defense, Special Teams, and Coaching Staff).
- Competition style: Standard ten‑frame game; each squad’s total pinfall determines the weekly “Eagle Crown.”
Highlights & Results
- Offensive Squad – Lead by quarterback J.J. McArthur, the offense posted a 1,245‑pin total, earning a narrow victory over the defensive squad.
- Special‑Teams Squad – Kicker Riley James rolled a perfect 300 game, the first perfect score in the program’s bowl‑week history.
- Coaching Staff Showdown – Coach Lunsford and Coordinator Fitzpatrick combined for a modest 642‑pin effort, amusing teammates with “coach‑vs‑coach” trash talk.
Benefits of the Bowling Night
- Stress Relief: The low‑impact activity helped players unwind after intensive practice, reducing cortisol levels as noted by the team nutritionist.
- Team Cohesion: mixed‑role squads fostered cross‑position communication,reinforcing trust between offensive linemen and defensive backs.
- Community Outreach: The Eagles donated $1,000 to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, matching the alley’s “Strike for a Cause” fundraiser.
Practical Tips for Future Bowl‑Week Activities
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Schedule balance | Pair high‑intensity drills with low‑key social events to maintain mental freshness. |
| local cultural sites | Incorporate historic tours (e.g., civil‑rights landmarks) to enrich the travel experience. |
| Team‑building variety | Alternate between competitive (bowling, laser tag) and collaborative (volunteer) activities. |
| Post‑event debrief | Hold a brief meeting after each activity to capture lessons learned and reinforce goals. |
Bowl‑Week Media & Fan Engagement
- Live Updates: the Georgia Southern Athletics Twitter feed (@GSU_Eagles) posted real‑time practice clips, using hashtags #BirminghamBowl, #EaglePrep, and #CivilRightsTour.
- behind‑the‑Scenes Content: The official Eagles Bowl Week Instagram stories highlighted the civil‑rights tour, practice drills, and the bowling showdown, accumulating 12,300 views within 24 hours.
- Fan Interaction: A “Score‑Your‑Bowling” poll on the team’s Facebook page let supporters predict the winning squad; the offensive squad received 57 % of votes.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- The Georgia Southern Eagles combined high‑intensity football preparation with cultural education and team‑building recreation during Birmingham Bowl week.
- Practice sessions focused on tempo control, position‑specific drills, and special‑teams precision to address the upcoming opponent’s strengths.
- The civil‑rights tour provided a meaningful context for community service, aligning the program with broader social values.
- the bowling showdown delivered measurable benefits in stress reduction, team cohesion, and community philanthropy.
Next Steps for the Eagles
- Final film review on Friday, Jan 1 (post‑bowl).
- Travel logistics confirmed for Saturday departure to Legg Parks Stadium.
All information sourced from the Georgia Southern Athletics Department press release (Dec 26 2025) and Birmingham Bowl official itinerary.
