Auburn University celebrated Hey Day this past Wednesday, October 16th, and it was one for the books! This beloved tradition dates back to 1947, when students who served in WWII returned back to classes as usual at Auburn. When they returned, they struggled to reassimilate with their fellow classmates. In response, the student body and Student Government Association advocated for a day that would “unite the Auburn family and promote a friendly atmosphere known as Hey Day”. Hey Day is now a day where every student gets the opportunity to wear a name tag, giving everyone a sense of belonging and reminding them that they are part of the Auburn family.
One of our very own admissions advisors, Emma Donaldson, shared her Hey Day experience:
“Ever since I’ve been at Auburn, I look forward to Hey Day – formerly as a student and now as an employee of the University! Everyone comes together, wears name tags, and literally says hey to each other! My favorite memory from Hey Day was my sophomore year. My friends and I all gathered on the green space, ate lunch, hung out, and met new people. We even met the Athletic Director and took pictures with the eagle! Hey Day is such a special tradition at Auburn, and I am so glad we continue it every year!”
You can learn more about the Hey Day tradition here!
The First 56 at Auburn University will run from August 12th through October 6th, 2024, and is THE BEST way to get connected to the University and your fellow classmates! Organized by the University Program Council, the First 56 is eight weeks of special programming, events, and initiatives to promote student engagement, healthy decision-making, and academic achievement.
Throughout these eight weeks, there are over 400 events that students can choose from as simple as Class Tours & Kona Ice and as extravagant as an on-campus concert featuring The Driver Era. Attending these events is no additional cost to Auburn students and they can attend as many or as few events as they wish.
A fan favorite event during the First 56 was Waffles with Woodard. At this event, students are able to get a free waffle from the infamous Waffle House Food Truck from Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bobby Woodard.
Convocation 2024 is Sunday, August 18th, in Jordan-Hare Stadium, which is the night before the first day of classes. Convocation is basically a big pep rally in our football stadium, and an official welcome into the Auburn Family! Various Auburn traditions, including watching the band run out on the field, seeing the eagle fly, and singing the fight song & alma mater, will be celebrated on this special night.
If you are interested in seeing the complete list of events, visit the AU Involve website!
“Waaarrrr Eagle, Hey!” Something you have heard many times if you have ever attended an Auburn football game in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn has many incredible traditions, but the pre-game eagle flight is a tradition that is uniquely Auburn!
For many years, the pre-game eagle flight has been a part of every home football game. Before kickoff the Eagle will take flight circling Jordan-Hare Stadium before landing in the middle of the 50-yard line all while the fans cry “War Eagle, Hey!” The very first eagle flight was in August of 2000 and was flown by an eagle named Tiger (War Eagle VI) during the opening game. Over the years, there have been five eagles who have carried on the tradition of our battle cry and pre-game flight. The names of those eagles are: Tiger (War Eagle VI), Spirit, Nova (War Eagle VII), Aurea (War Eagle VIII), and Independence!
Want to get up close and personal with one of the eagles? The Auburn University Raptor Center is open to the public with an appointment. On Fridays before a home football game, the Raptor Center will put on a presentation called “Football, Fans and Feathers”. You can even take a photo with the eagle after the presentation!
If you ever get the chance to attend an Auburn football game in Jordan-Hare, be sure to take that opportunity. Many fans, Auburn or not, will attend football games just to get to experience the eagle flight. To ensure that you don’t miss it, you will want to be in your seat at least 25 minutes before kickoff – shaker in hand – ready to watch the eagle fly in all its glory!
Students walk in the Auburn University Homecoming Parade in downtown Auburn. Photo Credit: Abbey Crank
Auburn University is truly unmatched in both spirit and tradition, making the week of Homecoming one of the best weeks of the year here on the Plains. We are counting down the days until this year’s Homecoming festivities commence. Homecoming week is beloved as it gives us the opportunity to welcome all members of the Auburn Family back home to campus.
Auburn’s Homecoming tradition dates back to the 1930s and the Auburn Omega Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national honor society for student leaders with exemplary demonstrations of scholarship, athletic achievement, service, skillful communication, and artistic ability. Auburn’s Circle of ODK presented the idea to the student body of crowning a Miss Homecoming to be honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game for outstanding service to the University. The proposal was well received, and the tradition continued to take shape and in the 1960s, the Homecoming Parade was created.
Homecoming week is comprised of several events, all centered around welcoming Auburn Family members home to campus. Here is everything that you need to know about Homecoming 2022:
Homecoming Kickoff
Homecoming week will begin with Homecoming Kickoff hosted by the Student Government Association and the University Program Council. This year, Kickoff will be held on the Campus Green Space on Tuesday, September 20th, and will include a short program. The program will allow students to hear from this year’s Top 5 Miss Homecoming Candidates, and candidates will be able to share a bit about themselves and their platforms before campaigning officially begins. Immediately following kickoff, at 5pm, ODK will be having its 93rd annual Cake Race.
Homecoming Parade
At the end of the week, the annual Homecoming Parade will be held. The Homecoming Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd and helps cultivate a sense of community, as we welcome all generations of the Auburn Family to campus. The parade will feature floats from campus organizations, as well as participants from the local community. Additionally, the Auburn University Marching Band will perform, along with the Tiger Paws, and Auburn University Cheerleaders. The parade route runs from Samford Hall through downtown Auburn before wrapping up in front of Samford Lawn.
Campus organizations create floats as part of the Auburn University Homecoming Parade in downtown Auburn. Photo Credit: Abbey Crank
Homecoming Pep Rally
At the conclusion of the parade at 6:30 p.m., there will be a brief pep rally to excite fans as the tigers gear up to play the University of Missouri in the Homecoming Football game on Saturday. After the pep rally, the Auburn Family is invited to stick around and to participate in ‘Come Home to the Corner’, an event that will run until 9 p.m. and feature live music.
Auburn University Marching Band performs in the Auburn University Pep Rally on Samford Lawn. Photo Credit: Abbey Crank
Homecoming Game and the Recognition of Miss Homecoming
Homecoming Week ends with Auburn University taking on the University of Missouri with an 11 a.m. kickoff. Throughout the week prior, students will participate in Miss Homecoming campaigns and will have the opportunity to hear from the Top 5 candidates on the concourse. Students will cast their ballots on Friday. This culminates in the new Miss Homecoming being recognized at halftime.
The 2021 Top 5 Miss Homecoming Candidates were recognized during the game at halftime on Pat Dye Field. Photo Credit: Greg McWilliams/For the O-A News
We are looking forward to having all generations of the Auburn Family on campus as we celebrate Homecoming 2022! Together we say, War Eagle!
By: Jaxon Byrd, Assistant Director of Marketing for Tiger Nights
Tiger Nights (coordinated by the University Program Council) is your one-stop shop for all things fun. Dedicated to providing Auburn students with late-night, alcohol alternative events, Tiger Nights takes pride in bringing fun, unique experiences to campus. Major events in the past have included Rollin’ Thru the Decades, laser tag, spike ball, Fall Fest, Student Center Takeover and much more! Grab some friends or come solo and enjoy Auburn’s late-night programming!
Spikeball Tournament
Spike, save, and dive into some fun with Tiger Nights at the annual Spikeball Tournament held on the campus green in late February. Grab a teammate and make sure to RSVP on AUinvolve to reserve your spot in this competitive event!
Spring Fair
Tiger Nights is bringing some carnival classics to campus! During the beginning of March, Tiger Nights is hosting the Spring Fair on the campus green. Stop by for games, food, and entertainment!
Formal
Tiger Nights is hosting Auburn’s first all university formal, at the Auburn Hotel. The dress is semi-formal. All Auburn students are welcome to attend. Dress to impress and come help us kick off this inaugural event!
Wipeout
Remember the show, Wipeout? Live out your dreams of being a Wipeout contestant and take a run at some of your show favorite obstacles on the Campus Green during early April.
Bingo Night
BINGO!! Tiger Nights is ending the semester with a committee favorite! At the end of April, Tiger Nights is hosting Bingo Night. Come play with your friends to win big.
It’s Saturday on the Plains. Your Auburn Tigers kick off in two hours. You are surrounded by thousands of your closest friends as you gather together to support the team as they prepare to do battle.
You, my friend, are at the Tiger Walk.
Every gameday, the Auburn football team walks from the Athletics Complex to Jordan-Hare Stadium and thousands of Auburn students, faculty, alumni, and fans line Donahue Drive to greet the team and wish them well before they take the field. It is an electrifying environment that prepares everyone for the game!
The tradition of the Tiger Walk began in the 1960s when kids would approach the team for autographs. Since then, the Tiger Walk has grown in popularity and size and is one of the greatest traditions in college football.
As you begin your Auburn experience, be sure to include the Tiger Walk in your gameday plans!
If there’s one thing you should know about Auburn, it’s that we are deeply rooted in tradition. You’ve probably heard of or seen our famous “rolling Toomer’s Corner” tradition after a big win, or perhaps you’ve entered Jordan-Hare Stadium a few minutes early to witness our traditional pre-game eagle flight. While these traditions have certainly earned their right to be recognizable and easily accessible to anyone, there are a few sacred traditions that remain unique to only current Auburn students. Affectionately known as “Cater Callouts”, this tradition is a crowd-favorite among students as it encourages a tangible picture of the Auburn Family.
So, what is Cater Callouts? Well, simply put, it is a fun way for all Auburn students to join together to celebrate and champion other members of the Auburn family. Typically, large organizations, clubs, or involvement groups will hold callouts to officially announce their new members. From the Cheerleading team to Camp War Eagle Counselors to Student Recruiters, Miss Auburn, and SGA titles, callouts is the most fun night of the year as a new group is chosen and celebrated in front of the student body. Instead of these groups selecting their members and sending out an impersonal congratulatory e-mail, Auburn opts to make the experience a memorable one. Here’s how it goes…
At the top of the back steps of Cater Hall stands the current executive team, leaders, or captains of an organization. After the votes have been counted, interviews have been held, and try-outs have come and gone, they introduce themselves to the anxious crowd that awaits them below. Hundreds of students rush forward to get as close to the stairs as possible, to make sure they can hear the names. Peeking out of the windows of the Upper Quad Residence Halls are freshmen, eager to watch their first callout experience. Then finally, holding the list of names of those who have been chosen, the executive team has all eyes on them as they read out the list of names, one by one.
Most begin by reading out your hometown. “From Auburn, Alabama” they yell out, and suddenly every prospective member whose hometown is Auburn holds their breath, hoping their name is to follow. As you might imagine, not every name that applied will get called. While this may seem like a massively disappointing experience, there’s one thing that is important to know about those waiting to hear their name; they are never standing alone. Callouts is an experience to share with your friends (and even sometimes your family). It’s common for one candidate to bring a whole crowd of people along to stand in support, hold a hand, or offer a comforting hug if their name is not called. So, whether your name is called or it isn’t, you have a crowd a people there to support and encourage you the whole time.
If you are lucky enough to hear your name at callouts, you are quickly rushed to a celebratory meeting where you get important information, next steps, and begin to meet those that were chosen alongside you. It’s a night of high-energy, emotions, and excitement as a new chapter and opportunity has been afforded to you.
Some of my fondest memories from my time as a student come from the many nights spent standing on the back lawn of Cater Hall, surrounded by my closest friends, anxiously waiting to hear my name at Callouts. It was in those moments (like the one pictured above), that I experienced the most tangible picture of the Auburn family; I was surrounded by friends that become family, and that meant a community that would support and encourage me no matter what.
If you have the chance to witness the beloved “Cater Callouts” tradition, be sure to join in. There’s no better feeling than hearing your name (or the name of someone you love) being called from those back steps.
A Day is Auburn University’s annual spring football game! It is a time for fans near and far to come and get a glimpse of what the next season may look like.
A Day ticket prices are typically around $5 for the general public allowing anyone and everyone to come and take part in the fun day.
Sticking with tradition on this day our players still enter the stadium through Tiger Walk, the eagle will do its traditional pre-game flight, and Aubie and the cheerleaders are on the sidelines getting the crowd fired up.
After the game, the grounds crew works quickly to line the field with tables where just about every sports team on campus will sit to sign autographs and take pictures with fans!
Fans are all allowed to bring one item in to get signed and are able to get up close and personal with their favorite team members.
It really is such a special day for Auburn athletes and fans to come together and experience a fun Auburn tradition together!
It is often said that women love him, children adore him, and men want to be him.
Meet our beloved mascot, Aubie the Tiger.
Aubie is a nine-time UCA National Champion, and the first mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame back in 2006. Aubie supports all Auburn University athletic teams and can be spotted on campus and in the community. Aubie is known for his charming good looks and bold antics, and is referred to as “the living spirit of Auburn”.
Photo by Robert Adams/The Birmingham News found in AL.com’s article here
Aubie actually started out as a cartoon character that first appeared on a football program cover on October 3, 1959. He appeared on programs over the years and came to life for the first time on February 28, 1979 at the SEC basketball tournament. You can learn more about the history of Aubie here.
Watch this highlight video from 2018-2019 to see Aubie in action:
Aubie 2018-2019 Highlights
Wondering what Aubie is up to today?! Follow Aubie on Instagram or Twitter: @AubietheTiger01
Colleges across the country are full of traditions, and Auburn is no different.
As you walk from Toomer’s Corner onto campus after grabbing an ice cold lemonade, you’ll pass by Langdon Hall. It’s imperative that you watch your step as you pass by Langdon Hall! On the ground at the front of the building you will find the Auburn Seal.
Step on the seal if you dare! Legend says if you step on the seal you won’t graduate in four years, you won’t find your true love at Auburn, AND you’ll have seven generations of Alabama fans in your family. Those are some pretty harsh consequences for not being careful!
In the event that you do step on the seal, there is a little hope for you to reverse the curse, though we don’t recommend trying it. The curse can be reversed by jumping in the fountain at the president’s mansion at midnight on the leap day of a leap year. While our president, Dr. Jay Gogue, is friendly and loves being around students, we’re pretty sure he’d prefer not to meet you in the middle of the night in his fountain.
