“What is your mascot?” “Are you the War Eagles or the Tigers?” As a former Student Recruiter and current Admissions Advisor at Auburn University, I’ve heard almost every Auburn question under the sun. However, arguably the most common question I’ve been asked comes in some form of the questions above.
First, let’s clear the air on the debate surrounding the mascot at Auburn University. We are the Auburn Tigers, and this is proudly displayed through our mascot, Aubie the Tiger, who’s a nine-time national champion and the first mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.
So where did the phrase “War Eagle” come from? “War Eagle” is our battle cry at Auburn. Depending on who you talk to, you may hear a variety of tales about how this battle cry originated. However, the most common origin dates back to 1892.
At Auburn we love our football. Our first ever football game was played back in 1892 against the University of Georgia at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, thus beginning the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Among those in attendance that day included a veteran from the Civil War. Towards the end of the Civil War, this veteran came across an injured eagle in a battlefield, and nursed the eagle back to health. He then kept this eagle as a pet for almost 30 years, and brought the eagle with him almost everywhere he went. Sure enough, the eagle was also in attendance at this game back in 1892. The eagle broke free from its perch on the veteran’s shoulder and began majestically circling the field. While the eagle was in flight, Auburn’s football team started and finished a thrilling game winning touchdown drive to win their first ever football game. Auburn students, alumni and fans were thrilled by this outcome, and began to yell “War Eagle” as a way to cheer on their team. Ultimately, this is the first way the legend of “War Eagle” translates to today. Roughly 16 minutes before kickoff of every Auburn home football game, one of our two War Eagles, Nova or Aureau, will circle Jordan-Hare Stadium as 87,451 (or as I like to say, 87,450 of my closest friends) scream “WARRRRRRR EAGLE! HEY!” As Nova or Aureau lands at midfield, thousands in attendance erupt, and it gets the crowd fired up just like it did back in 1892.
In addition to the Eagle Flight before football games, the battle cry “War Eagle” can be heard all over the world as a way for the Auburn Family to greet and identify with each other. I guarantee you that if you’re ever wearing an Auburn logo, you’re going to hear a “War Eagle” no matter where you are! This is a symbol of the Auburn spirit. It’s been part of our spirit for more than 100 years, and I’m sure it will continue for hundreds more.
WAR EAGLE!
