Special Programs
True Blue Unlocked
Eagle Nation, Get Ready to Unlock Your True Blue Pride!
Coming Fall 2024, the Georgia Southern Athletics Department and Office of Trademark Licensing, alongside The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), are launching “True Blue Unlocked,” a retro merchandise program celebrating our university’s rich history.
True Blue Unlocked is a vintage-inspired merchandise program that pays homage to the University’s historical trademarks and traditions through fashion-forward apparel and non-apparel products.
A Legacy Revealed, Year After Year
True Blue Unlocked features a curated collection of vintage marks and logos, unlocking a new piece of Georgia Southern’s legacy each fall. These limited-edition designs will let you proudly display your True Blue spirit.
Where to Find True Blue Unlocked
Look for True Blue Unlocked products at the Southern Exchange Company, University Store, and other local online retailers. To bring this exciting collection to life, the Georgia Southern Athletics Office of Trademark Licensing and CLC have partnered with established vendors like The Retro Brand, L2, Adidas, Campus Ink, and more.
Use of the marks is limited to the True Blue Unlocked licensee program and may not be used by student organizations, brand extensions, sub-brands, individual brands, or endorsed brands. Occasionally, vintage logos may be used on commemorative uniforms for varsity athletics with permission from the Office of Licensing and Trademarks. For more information about the program, contact trademarklicensing@georgiasouthern.edu
Freedom Merchandise
In 2023, Georgia Southern launched a new merchandise program to benefit and honor Freedom, the University’s live bald eagle mascot that flies before each home game in what many call the “most exciting 30 seconds in college football.”
Unable to survive on his own because of an injury to his beak as a newborn, Freedom came to Georgia Southern in 2004 and now lives at the University’s Wildlife Center in Statesboro alongside other eagles, raptors, reptiles and waterfowl. He celebrated his 20th birthday in December 2023.
As an ambassador for Georgia Southern and symbol of our nation, Freedom has inspired thousands annually at the Wildlife Center, Georgia Southern football games, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, commencements, community events and other appearances, such as at the Charles Swab Classic PGA tour event last year in Texas.
To support Freedom and the Wildlife Center, University Communications and Marketing, Georgia Southern’s office of Trademark Licensing, the Wildlife Center and the university’s retail partners collaborated to launch merchandise featuring Freedom’s Name, Image and Likeness.
“Freedom belongs to Georgia Southern students, faculty, the Statesboro community and all those he encounters” Hein said. “It’s natural to want to express a unique relationship spanning 20 years and what better way to do this than by making his image available for people to wear and promote. I’m excited about this program, honored to be his plus-one, and greatly appreciate everyone’s support for Freedom, his care and his future.”
Proceeds will benefit the Wildlife Center and Freedom’s care. Learn more about Freedom and shop his merchandise here.
Co-branded Food and Beverages
GATA Fuel Coffee
Georgia Southern University Athletics has partnered with local roastery Cool Beanz to launch GATA Fuel, the university’s first branded coffee, in a collaboration facilitated by CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing company, and athletics multimedia rights holder, LEARFIELD.
GATA Fuel draws inspiration from the Georgia Southern Eagles football team’s powerful motto, ‘G-A-T-A!’, coined by former Georgia Southern football coach Erk Russell. The mantra embodies a relentless work ethic and an unwavering commitment to excellence, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Coach Russell’s philosophy that with hard work and effort, anything is possible.
Cool Beanz Espresso Bar was established by David Hoyle, a proud alumnus of Georgia Southern University and an esteemed member of the Statesboro community. Hoyle, who graduated with a degree in management in 1988, established the roastery seven years ago with the mission of providing top-quality coffee to his fellow Statesboro residents. Cool Beanz is also a supporter of Georgia Southern Athletics as an official corporate sponsor.
GATA Fuel launches on Nov. 9 and will be available in-store and online at Cool Beanz Espresso Bar, the Southern Exchange Company, and the Georgia Southern University Store. A portion of the proceeds from GATA Fuel sales will benefit the Georgia Southern “GATA Fuel” performance nutrition program for student-athletes.
The university-branded coffee was developed in collaboration with GSU’s licensing agency, CLC, and its athletics multimedia rights holder, LEARFIELD’s Georgia Southern Sports Properties. Cool Beanz will also serve as a corporate sponsor of Georgia Southern Athletics through its relationship with GSSP.
For more information about Cool Beanz Espresso Bar and GATA Fuel, visit www.statesborocoffee.com.
Name, Image & Likeness Merchandise
As part of its efforts to provide a comprehensive name, image and likeness (NIL) program for Eagle student-athletes, the Georgia Southern Athletics Department partnered with Campus Ink to launch the Georgia Southern NIL Store.
The Georgia Southern NIL Store features custom and co-licensed apparel sold for Eagle student-athletes. Fans now have the opportunity to celebrate and support student-athletes from all 17 Georgia Southern teams.
Part of the NIL Store network, Georgia Southern NIL Store is every fan’s one-stop-shop to score officially licensed Georgia Southern NIL apparel and directly support their favorite student-athletes. With every purchase, Georgia Southern fans will place industry-leading payments directly into their favorite athlete’s pocket.
This is just the start. The Georgia Southern NIL Store team will continuously be onboarding new athletes, developing custom merchandise drops and new jersey options. All NIL Store merchandise is officially licensed by Georgia Southern University.
Georgia Southern Tartan
The Scottish Register of Tartans includes an official Georgia Southern University tartan pattern of navy, white and gold.
Designed for Georgia Southern University which was founded in 1906 with the commitment to build a college that would prepare students to succeed and would celebrate their heritage. Since then, the school has changed and grown, but one thing has remained the same – Georgia Southern has always been and always will be a school rich in history and rooted in tradition. The design – which incorporates the University’s colors of blue, white and gold – was chosen by students, faculty and alumni who will proudly carry on the new tradition of donning the tartan.
Shop for GS tartan products at Georgia Southern’s University Store here.
Shop Collegiate Tartan’s website here.
Last updated: 4/17/2024