OUR CHERISHED LIVE MASCOT

“Soar Beyond.” These words perfectly capture the spirit of Freedom, our beloved bald eagle mascot. For years, Freedom soared above the crowds at Georgia Southern University events — football games, graduation ceremonies and participated in community outreach initiatives. His presence inspired generations, teaching us about wildlife, endangered species and the importance of conservation. Sadly, Freedom died in the spring. The bald eagle joined the University community in 2004 when he was rescued after being knocked out of a nest in Maitland, Florida. A permanent injury to his beak prevented his release into the wild and he was acquired with the permission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Freedom was more than a mascot,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “He represented strength, spirit and unity for Georgia Southern. His loss is felt by so many in Eagle Nation.”

Click here for photos of Freedom through the years.

For Steve Hein, Freedom wasn’t just a bird; he was a symbol of
strength, independence and the unifying power of nature. He was also
family. Hein, the master falconer and executive director of the Center
for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University, spent 21 years
training and caring for the magnificent bald eagle. In his absence, Hein
still feels a profound sense of loss and a quiet understanding of just
how deeply intertwined their lives had become.

“It’s about all the little things, the small interactions over the past
21 years,” Hein explained. “It will take time to fully comprehend the
extent to which Freedom impacted my life.”

As Hein comes to grips with Freedom’s death, he admits mornings
are a daily reminder of the eagle’s absence.

“Most every morning Freedom’s calling out was the first voice I’d hear,
and I dearly miss that sound,” he noted. “My wife often shared with
friends that Freedom was better than a watchdog in identifying and calling
out when my Scout vehicle arrived home. Yes, he was a part of the family.”

Hein’s bond with Freedom began in 2004 when he learned he could
pick up the baby bald eagle that had fallen from his nest in Florida.
Training the bird wasn’t just a job; it was a lifestyle.

“I’m not sure that it wasn’t Freedom who trained me and taught me
so much about myself and about life,” Hein reflected. “Working with
a top of the food chain, apex, solitary predator is a daunting task and
more like a lifestyle choice. The training and the relationship are all
about building and maintaining trust. There were many obstacles, but
overall, the key was to minimize negatives in his life.”

Freedom was beloved as Eagle Nation’s mascot due to his
approachability, not just his iconic flights. His presence created
intimate memories, captured in countless photos, in which Hein often
posed with fans. They traveled extensively, impacting events and
inspiring people nationwide.

“I’d love to know just how many sporting events, conferences,
weddings, birthday parties, parades, etc., he attended over his
lifetime,” Hein pondered. “He opened a lot of doors for me, and I had
the privilege to meet a great many outstanding and inspiring people —
I’m a better person because of Freedom.”

In reflecting on Freedom’s impact on Eagle Nation, Hein described
him as a valued ambassador and unifier that helped in making Eagle
Nation a family.

“He was independent, noble and beholden to no person,” he mused.
“It’s those traits that inspired our founding fathers to select the bald
eagle as our national symbol and our institutional leaders as our school
mascot. And yet, I believe it is his trust in me, the crowds and the
entire Eagle Nation that truly inspired us all.”

Looking to the future, Hein expressed his hope in finding a worthy
successor to Freedom.

“We were on a waiting list for many years before acquiring Freedom,
but my hope is that we can fast track the process in locating his
successor,” Hein noted. “The tradition is important to the University
and Eagle Nation; every effort is being made to fill the void we all feel.”

—Sandra Bennett