Early Mornings, Early Enrollee, Continues to #LightItBlue

From the only early enrollee of his recruiting class to now working as a graduate assistant in the development office, Chris Sibilia truly understands what it means to be a part of the Panther Family. He recently sat down to write this first-person account of what he hopes to accomplish and being a part of #GSUnited.

January 9, 2017, was my first day as a Georgia State Panther. Waking up at 5 a.m. for my first college football practice, I had no idea what was to come or what my future would hold. Never would I have imagined that in just three years I would have made it to two bowl games, graduated with my bachelor's degree, and begun working in the Athletics Department here at GSU.

When I came to GSU in January of 2017, I was the only one out of my football recruiting class who was an early enrollee. That first semester I learned what is was like to be an athlete at the highest level of college football. People think that student-athletes have it easy, that those who have never played understand what we go through, but that is far from the truth. The only ones who understand are your brothers who are to your left and right when you walk up to that line for the fifteenth gasser at the end of practice. We may not always like putting in the work day in and day out, but it is truly worth it to see our hard work pay off. There is no better feeling in the world than beating our rival, the Tennessee UpseT in Knoxville, or hoisting the bowl game trophy at the end of the season.

Now that I am graduating, I am looking forward to working in the business side of athletics. While working as a graduate assistant, I will be a part of helping our current student-athletes to have the best time of their lives here at GSU. I hope to have the opportunity to provide them with the same transformational experience that I had-the excitement at home games: running out of that tunnel, seeing the stands packed with fans cheering as loud as they can, and the goosebumps you get as the stadium "Lights it Blue" after a win. I want to be a positive example of the impact this program can have on their lives; show them the value of the degree they work so hard to earn. With the exceptional staff we have here in the athletic department and the resources our supporters help provide, I know we can help make this dream come true for our student-athletes. After all, our Panther Family runs deep. l have been amazed to see how proud everyone is to represent Georgia State. Since I began working here in January, I have not found a more goal-driven, hardworking, and caring family and I look forward to learning from them in the office now that I am "off the field".

The impact that GSU has had on me is one that will last me a lifetime. I have gained more than just an alma mater; I have gained a family. Through some of the hardest times of my life, my brothers and my friends at this University have stood by my side. To me, "Panther Family" isn't just a phrase we say, it is something that everyone who has worked and attended this University lives by. It means that wherever we may be in the world, when we see that GSU logo, we know we have family that we can count on. Through the thick and thin and the ups and downs of life, one thing is for certain: I will forever bleed blue and I will always be #GSUnited.

--Chris Sibilia

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Players Mentioned

#70 Chris Sibilia: C; 6' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#70 Chris Sibilia
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore
: C

Players Mentioned

#70 Chris Sibilia

Players Mentioned

#70 Chris Sibilia