Eagle’s Nest

THE EAGLE’S NEST SUPPORTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES

BY ORRY PHILLIPS ’23

If you’ve attended an athletic event at JBU over the last few years, you’ve probably seen them. When an opposing player airballs a three-pointer, when an official makes a controversial call or when a Golden Eagle hits that gamewinning shot or match-clinching kill, you’ve probably heard them. The Eagle’s Nest, JBU’s de facto student pep club, is a fixture of the game day experience and a key component to a spirited and loud game day atmosphere in the Bill George Arena and Alumni Field.

Nate Brown, senior finance major, served as the organizer for the Eagle’s Nest during the 2021-22 athletics season.

“It is really more of a mantra or a lifestyle than an organization,” said Brown. “The Eagle’s Nest moves, shifts and changes all the time based on who is there and what sport is being played. The purpose is always the same — do everything we can as fans to help the Golden Eagles win. [We] cheer on our team, mess with the opponents or anything in between — our job is to support our athletes.”

Brown said it is hard to pick a day when the Eagle’s Nest started, but it is the product of the department of athletics’ goal to increase student interest and support in Golden Eagle sporting events.

“Over the past few years, JBU Director of Athletics Robyn Daugherty ’85 and JBU alumnus Coby Dolloff ’21 worked to intentionally grow support for JBU athletics and promote the Eagle’s Nest. “I’ve been helping create posts and events for about a year now, doing what I can to promote support from fellow students,” Brown said.

Like nearly every other aspect of JBU athletics, the Eagle’s Nest was paused in 2020 due to COVID-19. After the men’s basketball team won their conference tournament quarterfinal matchup against Oklahoma City inside Bill George Arena on March 3, 2020, there wasn’t another packed crowd for a long time. All athletic seasons were paused and later canceled through the end of the academic year in response to COVID-19 protocols.

Basketball was the first sport to return to JBU, when the men’s basketball team came back to Bill George Arena on Jan. 12, 2021. However, a shortened basketball season and the largely empty Bill George Arena due to COVID-19 restrictions undermined the burgeoning energy and fansupport of the previous season. The same was true for the volleyball and soccer seasons played later in the spring as COVID-19 restrictions remained in place. It wasn’t until the Toilet Paper Game on Oct. 29, 2021 that the stands were packed again — it was a welcome sight for the Eagle’s Nest.

“The 2020-21 school year was pretty tough as we really weren’t able to attend sporting events. This year has been so different and so much better,” Brown said.

Overall, Brown’s time as a student and a supporter of JBU athletics has led to many fond memories. Brown graduated in May, but he’s confident in the direction of the Eagle’s Nest.

“I would say that enthusiasm for the Golden Eagles has been growing and is going to be incredible next year. The Eagle’s Nest will continue to thrive and find ways to increase student support,” Brown said. “[I’ll] always hold memories of the Eagle’s Nest in my heart. Peck ‘em, forever.”