A QUICK LOOK AT - Auburn

by Jack Witthaus

The Institution

School Quick Facts

Official Name:

Auburn University

Nickname:

Tigers

Location:

Auburn, AL

Enrollment:

25,469

Founded:

1856

Mascot:

Aubie the Tiger

Live Mascot:

War Eagle VII (golden eagle)

Fight Song:

"War Eagle"

SEC Division:

West

Auburn University is located on “The Loveliest Village on the Plains:” Auburn, Alabama. The city has been rated one of the best places to live in the US. It wasn’t always so pretty, however. During the Civil War, Auburn was used as a hospital and a training ground for Confederate soldiers.

Formerly known as the East Alabama Male College, Auburn became the first four-year coeducational school in Alabama in 1892. Auburn takes its academics seriously. AU is known to have a fantastic engineering school and has graduated six astronauts.

On the athletic field, Tiger fans take pride in their traditions. Before every game, fans line the streets for “Tiger Walk” to cheer on the football team as they enter Jordan-Hare Stadium. At every kickoff and tipoff, the Auburn faithful like to cry out “War Eagle!” The tradition took flight when a Civil War veteran released an eagle into the air during a football game against Georgia. After the Tigers won, the battle cry remained part of UA tradition.

Auburn Football

Football Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Jordan-Hare Stadium

Venue Capacity:

87,451

Venue Surface:

Natural Grass

First Season:

1892

Overall Record:

718-405-47

Last Season:

8-5 (4-4 SEC, Chick-fil-A Bowl winner)

Head Coach:

Gene Chizik (30-10-0)

Football Rivals:

Alabama, Georgia, LSU

The UA holds the thirteenth winningest college football program with rivalries stretching back to the 1890s. In 1892, Auburn met up with Georgia and has since played them every year in the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Currently, Auburn owns the advantage 54-53-8.

A year later, Auburn traded blows with Alabama, christening the “Iron Bowl.” The game occurs each Thanksgiving weekend with Alabama leading all-time 41-34-1.

Auburn also plays LSU in the Tiger Bowl each year, with LSU ahead 25-20-1.

Outside of its exciting rivalries, Auburn claims two national championships and 11 conference championships. UA was one of the original members of the SEC, joining in 1932.

Interestingly, Auburn has more Heisman winners than Alabama: Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson, and Cam Newton. In fact, John Heisman, the man whom the trophy is named after, coached at UA from 1895-1899.

Auburn tends to send many players to the NFL, with 27 currently playing and 245 drafted altogether. Frank Gatski is the only former UA player elected to the NFL Hall of Fame.

After a strong start, Auburn football began to decline starting in the 1920s. Ralph “Shug” Jordan, however, brought the program back. Starting in 1951, Jordan coached 25 seasons with the Tigers, compiling a 176-83-7 record, the most UA wins all time.

Jordan grabbed a National Championship in 1957, Auburn’s first. The feat was repeated two years ago when Auburn beat Oregon on a last minute field goal.

With that championship, current head Gene Chizik has led a successful program in his three years. Mizzou does not have a scheduled game against Auburn this season.

Auburn Basketball

Basketball Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Suburn Arena

Venue Capacity:

9,121

First Season:

1905

Overall Record:

1231-1079

Last Season:

15-16, (5-11 SEC)

Head Coach:

Tony Barbee (26-36)

NCAA Final Fours:

0

Although football is the biggest sport on campus, UA basketball has been a good program over the years, making 8 NCAA tournament appearances.

Joel Eaves (213-100) is arguably the greatest basketball coach in Auburn Tiger history. Eaves coached Auburn to its first SEC title in 1960.

Sonny Smith was at the helm when the Tigers made their farthest advance to the Elite Eight in 1986. Smith coached Auburn to five Big Dance appearances in a row.

The talent on the hardwood helped Smith out. Charles Barkley and future NBA all-star Chuck Person played for Auburn during Smith’s reign. Barkely was named NCAA Player of the Year in 1984.

Current cagers in the NBA include Marquis Daniels, Moochie Norris, and Wesley Person.

Head coach Tony Barbee hasn’t turned too many heads over the last two seasons as head coach. When he secured the job in 2010, Barbee was the first African American coach of a major sport at Auburn.

Watch out for the Tigers at home this season. With a 30 game winning streak from 1997-98 season to the final game of the 1999-2000, Auburn plays tough basketball on their hardwood. Last year, the Tigers went 14-2 at home and s1-10 on the road.