Georgia Southern Athletes Give Back to Statesboro Community

165 athletes, coaches and staff take part in 2nd annual GS Athletics Day of Service

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:53pm

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On Wednesday, 165 Georgia Southern athletes, coaches and staff took part in the 2nd annual GS Athletics Day of Service, volunteering at various venues throughout Statesboro including building a Habitat for Humanity home, helping at senior citizen centers, schools, and the local food bank.

Why it matters

The annual day of service allows Georgia Southern's athletic department to give back to the Statesboro community that supports them year-round, fostering a culture of servant leadership and community engagement among the student-athletes.

The details

Georgia Southern softball players traded their bats and gloves for construction tools to help build a Habitat for Humanity home, while other athletes and staff volunteered at senior centers, schools, and the local food bank. The event is organized by the athletic department to provide opportunities for their student-athletes to make a positive impact in the Statesboro community.

  • The 2nd annual GS Athletics Day of Service took place on Wednesday.
  • Georgia Southern also hosts a 'Feed the Boro' event in February to provide meals for the homeless in the community.

The players

Gleen Hart

Georgia Southern senior associate athletics director for athletic development.

Bailey Holland

A senior softball pitcher for the Georgia Southern Eagles.

Aaron Marcinkevich

Construction manager at Habitat for Humanity Bulloch County.

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What they’re saying

“We feel that by giving back and doing that, this is definitely a way to be a servant leader. Being true from the heart. We also do a Feed the Boro event, in February. We feed the homeless people here in the community. So just a part of our whole project of just giving back to those that help us on a year round basis.”

— Gleen Hart, Georgia Southern senior associate athletics director for athletic development

“Think it's a great opportunity that we get to do this because we have so many people throughout the community who come and support us. So for us to be able to give back to them on this day is very special. Just, for all the support they give us, it's the least we can do.”

— Bailey Holland, Georgia Southern senior softball pitcher

“Habitat, the vast majority of our labor is done through volunteers. So every little bit helps. Even if people come out here with no prior construction knowledge. I'll teach them everything they need to do.”

— Aaron Marcinkevich, Construction manager at Habitat for Humanity Bulloch County

What’s next

Georgia Southern plans to continue the annual Athletics Day of Service as a way for their student-athletes to give back to the Statesboro community that supports them.

The takeaway

The Georgia Southern Athletics Day of Service demonstrates the department's commitment to developing student-athletes as servant leaders who are engaged with and give back to their local community, fostering a culture of civic responsibility and community partnership.