Paulson Stadium, officially Evans Family Field at Allen E. Paulson Stadium, is the on-campus home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football program in Statesboro, Georgia. It opened on September 29, 1984, and takes its name from Allen E. Paulson, the Gulfstream Aerospace founder whose donation helped fund its construction.
Legendary coach Erk Russell once dubbed it ‘The Prettiest Little Stadium in America,’ and the nickname has stuck through decades of expansions. Known among fans and opponents alike as ‘Our House,’ the venue has built one of the most lopsided home-field advantages in college football.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA football)
- Location: Statesboro, Georgia
- Opened: September 29, 1984
- Capacity: about 25,000
- Surface: Natural grass until 2015; synthetic turf installed in 2016
- Record attendance: about 26,483 (2023, vs. Coastal Carolina)
- Notable fact: Nicknamed ‘The Prettiest Little Stadium in America’
Game Day in Statesboro
Paulson Stadium sits at the heart of Erk Russell Athletic Park on Georgia Southern’s campus, and game days there have long carried an outsized reputation for noise and intensity relative to the stadium’s modest size. The Eagles have compiled an overwhelming home winning record over the decades, reinforcing the ‘Our House’ nickname among players and fans.
The field played host to NCAA Division I-AA national championship games in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a run that coincided with some of the most dominant teams in the sport’s lower divisions and cemented the stadium’s standing as a proving ground for Georgia Southern’s option-heavy offenses.
Growth and Renovation
The stadium played on natural grass for its first three decades. Following a university study into drainage and maintenance costs, Georgia Southern installed a synthetic turf system in 2016, with the project completed in time for that year’s spring game. A major 2012-2014 expansion added the Ted Smith Family Football Center, modernizing facilities while preserving the stadium’s intimate, close-to-the-field feel.
In 2024, the playing surface was renamed Evans Family Field following a $3 million donation from Brianna and RT Evans, layering a new chapter onto a stadium that still bears Allen E. Paulson’s name overall.
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12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
Paulson Stadium FAQs
Who plays at Paulson Stadium?
The Georgia Southern Eagles football team plays its home games at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.
How many people does Paulson Stadium hold?
Paulson Stadium seats about 25,000 fans, with a recorded attendance high of roughly 26,483 set in 2023.
Why is it called Paulson Stadium?
It’s named for Allen E. Paulson, the founder of Gulfstream Aerospace, who donated over $1 million toward the stadium’s construction when it opened in 1984.
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Photo: Gsuengineer / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.