PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL
There is a beginning and an end to everything in life. Sports and college are two of those things. After spending their last few years in Georgia State blue and white, senior athletes are preparing to say goodbye to their days as a Panther.
The Signal had an opportunity to sit down with several athletes from fall collegiate sports to talk about their Panthers careers and what they will miss most about wearing the Georgia State colors.
Football: Jarrell Robinson
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The Signal: What do you remember the most about your career at Georgia State?
JR: “First game of course. It was just a big moment for us. It was a big moment for me just being part of a team that was the first ever in the school. Honestly I can say that was the biggest moment I’ve ever had.”
TS: What was the most memorable moment at Georgia State?
JR: “Going to the University of Washington. Traveling all the way to the west coast, going to visit Seattle. Without football, I would have never went to Seattle. So, that’s just something memorable, something that I will always remember that football and Georgia State brought me.”
TS: What will you miss the most after graduation?
JR: “My teammates. I grew close with a lot of these guys over four years. Some guys who just got here maybe a year. But I met a great group of friends, guys that I know I can talk to for the rest of my life and that’s what I’m going to carry out of it. The teammates and the bond.”
Volleyball: Andrea Book
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TS: What will you miss most about being at Georgia State?
AB: “I think what I’ll miss most about Georgia State is being able to hang out with my teammates. I’ll miss all the really fun times we had on the road and traveling, and also conditioning with them. Going through the battles of collegiate athletics. It’s been a really great experience.”
TS: What would you say has been your most memorable moment as a Panther?
AB: “I think I’m looking forward to this upcoming weekend. It’s my senior weekend and we’re also battling for a spot in the conference tournament. The girls are all really excited. It’s going to be a great weekend for us.” [said prior to final weekend of the regular season]
TS: When you were honored prior to the last game of the season, how did that feel like?
AB: “It didn’t really hit me until that moment that this is my senior year. It’s just been such a great experience and I just felt overwhelmed by the support of my teammates and my coaches and my family being here today. It was incredible.” [said after the last game of the regular season]
Women’s soccer: Lindsay Leonardo
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TS: How would you describe your Georgia State experience?
LL: “I would describe my experience at Georgia State as a positive one. I believe that being a student and an athlete has prepared me well for life after college.”
TS: What would you say is your most memorable moment as a Panther?
LL: “My greatest moment at Georgia State was when we got a 1-0 win against Texas state on senior day this season. It was really nice that the whole team contributed in the win especially for us seniors in our last game at Panthersville. My toughest moment at Georgia State was when I got injured going up for a header. The other girl hit my eye and it busted open. I had to go the hospital and get seven stitches. I had a big black eye the next day and it was swollen shut for about a week.”
TS: What are your plans after graduation & did the injury affect your post graduation plans?
LL: “It has not affected my plans after graduation. I now know that they will be more achievable, because I can push through anything if I can be a student-athlete at Georgia State. After college I plan on going on leisurely runs and hopefully one day I can play in an adult league, because I love soccer.”
Men’s Soccer: CJ Cochran
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 215 pounds
- Fun Fact: In his college debut in 2011, Cochran notched ten goals to help the Panthers to a 1˗1 tie vs. the UAB Blazers
TS: How would you describe your experience at Georgia State?
CC: “It’s hard to describe the last four and a half years. I am just so thankful for the opportunity coach Surrency, the rest of the coaching staff and Georgia State University has given me. I got to play the sport I love, get an education and all the while doing it with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.”
TS: What would you say is your most memorable moment as a Panther?
CC: “My greatest moment at Georgia State would have to be the day we watched the NCAA selection show. We received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, and that was and still is, the only at large bid Georgia State has received in any sport. That team had a lot of special players and it is something I will always remember. My toughest moment would have to be my last game in a Georgia State uniform. We lost to our rival, ‘that team from Statesboro’, and after the game I just remember thinking about my entire career and how it was all over. It was a bitter moment, one I will not forget fast enough.”
TS: What are your plans after graduation?
CC: “I plan on continuing to play soccer, hopefully as a career. Playing for Georgia State has given me a chance to play at the next level. However, if that dream doesn’t work out I know I have degree from one of the best business schools in the country to help me in my life after soccer.”
