welcomed home - AuburnTigers.com
Transcription
welcomed home - AuburnTigers.com
T I G E R S U N L I M I T E D O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E Spring 2012 • Vol. 12, No. 2 Auburn Icons Welcomed Home Thismuch financialcontrolis onlyminutesaway. RegionsOnlineAccountOpeningletsyoutakemorecontrolinlesstime. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could access and monitor your money anytime, anywhere? Talk about financial control. You can open a Regions checking account online in 10 minutes and get 24-hour access with: • RegionsOnlineBankingwithBillPay • MobileBankingwithAlerts • RegionsVisa®CheckCardwithCashbackRewards If you’re looking for more financial control, talk to Regions. You’ll also find access to useful tools, practical advice and the award-winning personal service you expect. Checking| Savings | PersonalLending | AdviceandGuidance Visitabranch,call1.800.regionsorgotoregions.com/opentoday. Official Bank of the © 2011 Regions Bank. All Regions accounts subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Regions Deposit Agreement. Fees may apply. All loans and lines subject to credit approval. Cashback Rewards is subject to important terms and conditions. See regions.com/cashback for details. Professional rider. Do not attempt. REG-SPN-P111872 TigerRoar_Basketball.indd 1 10/12/11 10:39 AM by David Housel Tiger Roar is a joint publication of Tigers Unlimited and Auburn IMG Sports Marketing Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs Publisher Tim Jackson Editor Cassie Arner Editorial Staff Bob Grant David Housel Kristi Phillips Jeremy Roberts Steve Lautz Jack Smith Todd Van Emst AU Athletics Media Relations Design, Printing & Mailing Craftmaster Printers D O W N Tigers Unlimited Mission To provide Auburn University student-athletes with a competitive advantage and prepare them for successful lives through annual scholarship support and private support for capital projects, endowments and other investment opportunities of the Auburn University Athletics Department. For information about advertising opportunities in Tiger Roar, or any other Auburn publication, Auburn IMG Sports Network radio or television broadcasts, or any type of promotional marketing associated with Auburn Athletics, contact Auburn IMG Sports Marketing at (334) 826-2929. R R E S T FH EE A T Y U E A 6 Auburn Icons Welcomed Home Auburn honored the past and inspired the future with the unveiling of the three Heisman Statues for Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton. 2 0 1 2 AUSPY AWARDS Published by Tigers Unlimited, P. O. Box 351, Auburn, AL 36831-0351 For additional copies of this issue or any back issues of Tiger Roar, call 1-800-AUB-1957 (ext. 2) or e-mail TUF@auburn.edu. Tigers Unlimited Staff Tim Jackson Executive Associate Athletics Director Linda Caudle Executive Coordinator Kay Hargrave Senior Associate Athletics Director - Development Joe Whitt Assistant Athletics Director Rebecca Coan Director of Athletics Development Chris Gary Director of Athletics Development Helen Baggett Assistant Director of Athletics Development Kym Holland Assistant Director of Athletics Development Janie Boles Director of Donor Services and Annual Giving Development Officer Hillary Nowland Erick Reasoner Development Officer Executive Secretary Kathy McCollough for Donor Services Kristi Phillips Assistant Director of Athletics Development T H R O U G H 10 The AUSPY Awards honored Auburn’s best and brightest student-athletes for their achievements both academically and athletically. Women’s Golf Defends SEC Championship Title 21 12 Head coach Kim Evan’s squad defended its SEC golf title with its ninth conference championship. Senior Patricia Sanz won the 2012 SEC Individual crown. WBB Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy A new era of Auburn women’s basketball begins with a fresh face at the helm in Coach Flo, Terri Williams-Flournoy D E P A R T M E N T S from 5 AJayWord Jacobs 15 Donor Spotlight Through 17 Down the Years 27 Student-Athlete Spotlight 28 Student-Athlete Spotlight 42 Compliance Corner 52 Athletics Schedules 55 News and Notes Spring 2012 3 Don’t Panic. Call Alfa. ® Accidents happen. But with Alfa™, you don’t have to worry. With offices right in your community and claims service that customers rate among the best in the country, Alfa will have you back on the road in no time. Let us show you how we can save you money and frustration. Call Alfa today. Alfa Insurance® Find a local agent: 1-800-964-2532 • AlfaInsurance.com Alfa, Call Alfa and Alfa Insurance are a trademark and registered trademarks, respectively, of Alfa Corporation. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. by W NO RT DH RF O RU O GM H J T AH Y E J AY C D AO W EO A B R S David Housel I t was great to welcome so man y of you home for A-Day. And what a day it was as three of players in Auburn history cam the greatest e back to celebrate a very spe cial occasion at Jordan-Hare Stad As David Housel wrote, the stat ium. ue unveiling ceremony that hon ored Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson and Cam Newton s Pat Sullivan, was designed to “honor the pas t, define the present and insp We did more than honor thei ire the future.” r greatness on the gridiron. We also recognized what each of them as great men who embody the represents Auburn Creed. Humility was the common thread woven thro remarks, as they credited thei ugh each of their r coaches and teammates, sup port staff and family member As a former player, I could rela s for their success. te to Pat Sullivan’s remarks abo ut what matters most. “It’s not ues,” Pat said. “It’s not these these statawards. Sure they are a part of it. But what you get out of ath all said and done, are the rela letics, when it is tionships that last a lifetime.” I was struck by Bo Jackson’s tou ching remarks about his form er teammate and roommate, who could not be in attendance Tommy Agee, because he was at his mother ’s fun eral. “If I wasn’t here right now “I’d be with my teammate.” ,” Bo said, Cam Newton, who put togethe r one of the greatest single seasons in college football hist Auburn, was also quick to defl ory while at ect credit to others. “In my eye s, it is not a statue of Cam New “It is a statue of the 2010 BCS ton,” he said. National Champions.” It was only fitting that we also took time to dedicate the bro nze bust of Coach John Heisma the only school where Coach n. Auburn is Heisman coached to also hav e a Hei sman Trophy winner. And we of them — so far. have three The statues and the bust on the east side of Jordan-Hare Stad ium indeed honor the past and future of Auburn football, whi inspire the ch is as bright as it has ever bee n. While we still have work to another championship founda do to build tion, Coach Chizik and his staf f are building it one brick at Our football facilities are seco a time. nd to none with the recent add ition of our Indoor Practice Fac renovations that have taken plac ility and the e at the Athletics Complex, the hub and home of Auburn Foo The good news for the 2012 tbal l. football season is that we hav e 16 returning starters from However, the reality is that last year’s team. we remain a relatively young team, as 61 percent of the play through spring practice were ers who went underclassmen. Despite some challenges, the roster imbalance we faced last season is improving. The stel done by Coach Chizik and his lar recruiting staff is beginning to make a diff eren ce. Another Top-10 recruiting report to Auburn in August, class will and our outstanding recruiting efforts have continued into the There is no doubt that we hav spring. e a past we can be proud of and a future that could not be brig I thank you for your continu hter. ed support. God Bless and Wa r Eagle! Jay Jacobs Director of Athletics Spring 2012 5 By Jack Smith Auburn Icons Welcomed Home I I t was more than a dedication — it was a happy homecoming for three of Auburn’s all-time greats on a spectacular spring day. A crowd of several thousand roared their approval as former Heisman Trophy winners Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton took the stage moments before the statues immortalizing the Auburn icons from three different eras were unveiled on April 14. Auburn Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs set the tone for what was a memorable day. 6 Tiger Roar “To the Auburn Family,” Jacobs said, “welcome home.” Jacobs called Sullivan, Jackson and Newton “three of the finest men to ever wear an Auburn uniform.” “Even though we are recognizing these three individuals, they would be the first to tell you that they could not have made the accomplishments they made athletically without their teammates and coaches,” Jacobs said. Jacobs also paid tribute to Coach John Heisman, the former Auburn coach for whom college foot- ball’s most distinguished award is named. “We would not be here today without Coach Heisman,” Jacobs said. “Auburn is the only place where Coach Heisman coached and we have someone named for his award. Matter of fact, we have three of them. So it is only fitting we honor Coach Heisman with the dedication of the bust of Coach John Heisman.” Auburn President Jay Gogue expressed his thanks to Sullivan, Jackson and Newton not only for what they’ve done in the past — but for what they have done to inspire the future. “Think about the young kids that will come to this campus and see those beautiful statues and think what could be,” Gogue said. Head Football Coach Gene Chizik called the event “a great day for the Auburn Family.” “They are all the same,” Chizik said of Auburn’s Heisman winners. “They are great, great individuals who had a huge, huge impact at Auburn University.” Sullivan, the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner, took to the stage first. Sullivan inspired the crowd when he invoked the memory of two men who couldn’t be present at the event — Coach Shug Jordan and his father. “I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” Sullivan said. “I know they are looking down, and I know they are proud.” Sullivan shared the credit for his Heisman and other individual awards he received. “I know that I didn’t win it by myself,” Sullivan said. The former Auburn quarterback and current head coach at Samford University reminisced about watching the 1971 Heisman Trophy announcement at halftime of the Georgia-Georgia Tech game on television at Memorial Coliseum. Sullivan said three choices defined his life — his faith, his decision to attend Auburn and his decision to marry his wife, Jean. All three of those choices came into play when he was diagnosed with cancer nine years ago, a battle he said he could not have won without his faith, the support of his wife and former teammates and even former rivals who showed their support throughout the fight of his life. “I know I wouldn’t be here today without all of those things,” Sullivan said. While Sullivan said he was grateful for the awards and for the statue that bears his name, he counts his relationship with former teammates among his greatest blessings. “It’s not these statues,” Sullivan said. “It’s not the awards. Sure they are a part of it. But what you get out of athletics, when it’s all said it’s done, Pat Sullivan are the relationships that last for a lifetime.” Jackson spoke to the crowd the way Coach Pat Dye taught him to — from the heart. “I don’t write speeches,” Jackson said. “I learned something from a great man that I met over 30 years ago. You just speak from your heart, and that’s what I do.” Jackson talked about how he grew and matured during his four years at Auburn, when he played three sports and rewrote the record books. “When I came here in 1982, I was a young, immature kid,” Jackson said. “Four years later, I left here a respectable young man. I didn’t do that on my own.” Jackson talked about his teammates and got emotional remembering the impact of his roommate, former running back Tommy Agee, who could not be at Saturday’s ceremony due to the death of his mother. “If I wasn’t here right now,” Jackson said, “I’d be with my roommate.” Auburn,” Jackson said. Jackson told the crowd to remember what makes Auburn special. “When you put on that t-shirt or sweatshirt that says ‘Auburn Family, All In,” wear it with pride,” he said. “We are all family here.” Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner who led Auburn to its first national championship in a half century, called it an “incredible honor” to be on stage with Sullivan and Jackson. Reading remarks from his iPad, Newton thanked his former coaches, teammates and the Auburn Family. “It is always great to be home at Auburn,” Newton said. Newton said “it seems like yesterday” he and his teammates were celebrating the 2010 BCS National Championship at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “I never would have imagined I would be standing here a year later with my family, the Auburn Family,” Newton said. “War Eagle means hello, how are you, I love you, I respect you, see you next Saturday.” Vincent “Bo” Jackson Jackson talked about his former teammates and coaches, Sewell Hall dorm counselors Rusty and Sallie Dean, former trainer Herb Waldrop and his wife, Jean, and longtime Auburn recruiting coordinator Sue Locklar. “We didn’t get where we are by ourselves,” Jackson said. Jackson said his proudest moment as an Auburn Tiger came shortly after Auburn’s historic 1982 Iron Bowl win over Alabama, when his iconic goal-line dive ended a nine-year drought against the Crimson Tide. It came when he found his mother in the crowd after the game at Legion Field. “Hugging my mother and listening to the fans thank her for allowing me to come to Auburn was probably my most memorable moment at Bo Jackson The current Carolina Panthers quarterback said he sees more than his own likeness when he looks at the towering statue of #2 on the east side of the stadium. “In my eyes, it is not a statue of Cam Newton,” he said. “Instead, it is a statue of the 2010 BCS National Champions. It was a collective effort of an entire team. My Heisman Trophy certainly would not have been possible without my teammates, coaches and support personnel.” The crowd roared when Newton said playing for Auburn was one of the greatest honors of his life. “I will forever be an Auburn Tiger,” Newton said. Jacobs said that while it was a special day for the Auburn Family, he promised it wouldn’t be the last. “As you can tell by the way we have these statues laid out,” he said, “we have room to grow.” Cam Newton Spring 2012 7 ALWAYS A GOOD OPTION. Red Diamond. The Official Coffee & Tea of Auburn Athletics. Men’s golf’s Kyle Kopsick, Ash Evans and Will McCurdy performed the song “Somebody That I Used To Know.” 2 012 AU S P John Sullen presents Kyle Owens with the male athlete of the year. 2012 AUSPY’S Award Winners Female Team of the Year: Equestrian Male Team of the Year: Swimming & Diving Brad C. Davis Community Service Award Nominees: John Stembridge, Men’s Golf and Laura Lane, Gymnastics Female Athlete of the Year: Katy Frierson, Soccer and Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Swimming & Diving Male Athlete of the Year: Kyle Owens, Swimming & Diving Inspiration Award: Amy Howard, Soccer Passion Award: Morgan Murphy, Softball Female Rookie of the Year: Morgan Estell, Softball and Christina Lin, Equestrian Male Rookie of the Year: Stephen Saenz, Track & Field Highest Female Team GPA: Cross Country, 3.288 Highest Male Team GPA: Cross Country, 3.357 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Katy Frierson, Soccer Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Cory Luckie, Baseball Women’s track athletes, Ashley Cruder, Alycia Prior and Eryn Donaldson, pose on the AUSPY Awards orange carpet. 10 Tiger Roar H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post Graduate Scholarship Nominees: Katy Frierson, Soccer and Cory Luckie, Baseball James T. Pursell Tiger CHAMPS / Life Skills Team Service Awards Female Team: Women’s Basketball Male Team: Football Overall Team: Equestrian War Eagle Moments Soccer – Ana Cate’s game-winning goal against Florida to clinch the SEC Soccer Tournament Championship. Women’s Golf – Haley Wilson’s improbable shot out of the Bunker at the SEC Tournament to help the team win the SEC Championship. Men’s Basketball – Kenny Gabriel’s performance makes Auburn basketball history as he scored 24 points, hauled in 13 rebounds and posted 10 blocks to record the program’s firstever triple double. John Sullen presents swimmer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace with female athlete of the year. Soccer’s Katie Frierson also tied for the award but was not present. The track and field coaching staff hits the orange carpet – assistant coach Jerry Clayton, head coach Ralph Spry, assistant coach Scott Richardson and assistant coach Diego Flaquer P Y AWA RDS The softball team used the AUSPY’s as a great opportunity to dress to the nines (pictured l-r, back row) Liana Wuchte, McKenzie Kilpatrick, Hilary Mavromat, Amber Harrison, Baylee Stephens, Morgan Estell, Krista Clyde, Caitlin Schultze, Lauren Schmalz. (front row) Maris Medina, Kristyn Richards, Branndi Melero Spring 2012 11 Women’s Golf Defends SEC Championship Title C C oming down to Auburn’s last stroke of the 2012 SEC Championship, the pressure was entirely on senior Patricia Sanz. The senior from Madrid, Spain, needed to make her last putt on the final hole to give herself and the Tigers the SEC title. “I could feel my heart coming out of my chest,” Sanz said. “I prayed a couple of times before I hit my putt. I said ‘Please God, let me have this.’ I didn’t really know it was going to come down to one shot as a team, but I knew individually I had to make my putt. It was the most important putt I’ve ever had in my life so far. It was really nerve-racking.” Sanz made the three-foot putt and Auburn took a one-stroke lead over Arkansas to win the championship [306-297-313—916 (+52)]. Sanz also picked up the first tournament title of her career, winning the SEC Individual Championship with rounds of 69-73-77 to finish at 219 (+3) on the weekend. Having struggled throughout the season and finishing no higher than 16th in any tournament during the year, Sanz admitted she was surprised to be in position to win the title on Sunday, but knew confidence was key to staying focused throughout the championships. “I haven’t been playing well, but Coach (Kim Evans) believed in me after qualifying and picked me to go for the tournament,” Sanz said. “I was just glad to go, and I was going to do my best, and apparently it was really good.” Having coached her team through a roller coaster of a season, head coach Kim Evans was 12 Tiger Roar By Mae Margaret Davis thrilled to see all the hard work finally pay off. “It is just amazing,” Evans said. “We have won a few of these, but this one is one of the most important. I could not be happier for the team. They played their hearts out and never quit. On a golf course as tough as this one, that’s what it took to win.” As a team, Auburn entered the SEC Championship having not performed as well as it had hoped during the regular season. Evans continually preached the importance of being able to relax and have fun, especially on Arkansas’ challenging course. “Everyone tells you that it is a tough golf course, and you don’t believe it until you get there and play it,” Evans said. “With the wind, it really made it difficult. I was so proud of our players for keeping their heads up and taking it one hole at a time. That was so important.” Senior golfer Haley Wilson agreed that the course asked a lot from each golfer and said keeping everything in perspective was critical to playing well. “It’s a placement golf course,” Wilson said. “You have to hit it from point A to point B to point C, and if you don’t hit it at point A or point B, you’re done. It doesn’t allow for a lot of mistakes. “It all came down to attitude. Coach told us from the beginning, ‘You have to have a good attitude. You have to be able to laugh at yourselves. When the mistakes come, you can’t dwell on them. You have to let them roll off. You can’t let anything hurt your feelings.’ We did that the best.” The win marks the Tigers’ ninth all-time SEC Championship victory and the third title in the last four years. Despite having struggled at times, Wilson said postseason play allows the team to come together and perform at their best. “There’s just something about conference that you want to do well, and you want to be the one on top of your conference,” Wilson said. “It all goes back to your attitude. Coach says it all year. You can’t let anything get to you, and I think we’ve been battling for so long. We came together right there around that time, with us all meshing well off and on the course. “We pick each other up and we’re there for each other. I think that SECs just bring us all together to perform right at the right time at that peak time when we need to.” Looking forward to NCAA Regionals and Championships, the team is excited for the rest of postseason competition. Knowing they are capable of defeating top opponents in the conference, the Tigers are confident of their abilities moving forward. “I’m hoping it will give us some confidence, but at the same time, we cannot relax. We need to continue practicing really hard so that we don’t get to regionals and have happen like what happened last year that we didn’t make it to nationals,” Sanz said. “I think this is a confidence thing. We need to keep working and stay positive and go to regionals with the same mentality we had for SECs.” VERIZON 4G LTE. AMERICA’S FASTEST, MOST RELIABLE 4G NETWORK. Official Wireless Provider of the Auburn Tigers DOWNLOAD A SONG IN LESS THAN 4 SECONDS. THAT’S FASTER THAN THE TIME IT TAKES TO STEAL SECOND BASE. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Network details & coverage maps at vzw.com. © 2012 Verizon Wireless. 2415 Moore’s Mill Road, Suite 220, Auburn 334.821.7375 • TigerTown Shopping Center, Opelika 334.749.5005 The Shoppes at EastChase, Montgomery 334.386.9273 • Eastern Shore Centre, Spanish Fort 251.338.9273 www.warejewelers.com by Jack Smith D O N O R S P O T L I G H T Brooks’ Love for Auburn a Family Affair D avid and Terri Brooks’ love story is an unlikely one. Not because the couple didn’t fall in love when they met at Auburn University in 1980. The couple was so smitten with each other that they were engaged three months after meeting at a dorm party. The unlikely part of the story is that David ever made it to Auburn in the first place. After all, a long line of family members had attended Duke University. David’s grandfather, the late Gold Kist founder and agricultural giant Mr. D.W. Brooks, attended the University of Georgia and even has a street in Athens that bears his name. Yet all it took for David Brooks to decide Auburn University was the place for him was one visit to campus the summer before his senior year in high school. David had decided to give Auburn a look after an aptitude test suggested his blend of mathematical skills and creativity might make him a good architect. “I started looking around at colleges that had schools of architecture, and Auburn was defi- nitely on that list,” David said. He was hooked after his first visit. “I just fell in love with the town,” David said. “I didn’t even apply anywhere else. It was love at first sight.” While he ended up majoring in Industrial Management, a degree that has served him well in a highly successful career as a consultant for Fortune 1000 firms, David found what he was looking for in Auburn University—and he fell in love with the sweet young sophomore from Andalusia that he met at a dorm mixer his junior year. “We just kind of hit it off from the very beginning,” David said. “The rest is history.” David and Terri began supporting what was then known as the Greater Auburn Fund—the precursor to Tigers Unlimited—soon after he graduated. They seldom missed home football games no matter where they lived. They have fond memories of rolling into Auburn from their home in Jacksonville, Fla., when their oldest of three children, David Brooks IV, was only a toddler. Yet after four straight home games one year, Terri finally gave David an ultimatum. “I said if we’re going to keep coming to every game, we’re going to have to move to Auburn,” Terri says. So they did. The Brooks called Auburn home for seven years while David worked in the area, first at Ampex Magnetic Tape and later at Uniroyal in Opelika. David then took a job with a utility company in Andalusia, where they lived until moving to Florida again. When their three children, David, Brad and Conner, grew up and decided to attend Auburn, the Brooks followed their hearts back to the place they plan to call home for the rest of their lives. “We just decided if the kids are going to be here, we might as well move back up here,” David said. “We don’t plan on moving again.” They do plan on following Auburn football as fervently as ever. “We’re all in,” David says. “We’re pretty dedicated to the cause.” They are so dedicated, in fact, that the Brooks recently became two of the newest members of the Talon Society. David says supporting Auburn financially is the best way he knows of to honor Auburn’s traditions and ensure that they will be handed down to the grandchild their son and daughter-in-law are soon expecting. “Auburn is just such a special place,” he said. “The feeling of community and family here is unlike any other school I’ve been associated with. It’s a phenomenal thing.” Terri is happy to support Auburn Athletics because it brings her husband so much joy. “My husband has no hobbies,” she says. “But he has loved Auburn football all of his adult life. I like that we can be supportive of something that he loves so dearly.” While David admits he wants to help Auburn build the foundation it takes to compete at the highest level athletically, his reason for giving goes much deeper than that. “I think the main reason people should support Auburn is that in addition to a great education, this institution is helping shape and mold character in our young people,” he said. “That is one of the single greatest things we can do as adults is build these traits, honesty, character, responsibility, all of the things that Auburn stands for.” And when the 2012 football season kicks off, Terri will enjoy gathering with family and friends for a tailgate before soaking up her favorite tradition. “I’m 5’3, so I can’t really enjoy Tiger Walk,” she said. “But that eagle flying is my absolute favorite tradition. It always makes me cry.” Spring 2012 15 © 2012 Alabama Power Company “He thinks he’s a power hitter.” From the infield to the outfield, to the stands, to the dugout, Alabama Power salutes everyone who makes the game of baseball our national pastime. POWI-2648 Baseball_Auburn.indd 1 1/23/12 4:11 PM by M David Housel oving is a ... well, it’s a pain. But moving has its good points, too, like reliving special times and memories as you go through box after box after box finding treasures you haven’t seen or thought about in years, remembering why they were special and why they mattered enough to keep through the years. Perhaps forever. Here are some of my “finds” and the memories they evoked, all Auburn of course: — A ticket stub and program from my first Auburn football game, December 1, 1956, Auburn 34-Alabama 7. It would change my life. —A ticket stub and program from my second Auburn game, the Alabama game in 1957, Auburn’s 40-0 victory in the final game of that national championship season. —Jimmy Burson’s chinstrap from the Florida game, 1961. —Press Box pass from the 1962 AuburnAlabama game, my first press box visit. It, too, would change my life. —Acceptance letter from Auburn, rejection letters from Vanderbilt and North Carolina. —My first Auburn ID card, the flimsy old plastic-coated ones, June, 1965. —First football program articles, on Coach Jordan, in the 1968 Miami and Tennessee games. The Tennessee game story (on Coach Jordan’s playing days at Auburn) is still one of my alltime favorite stories. Still proud of that one. D O W N T H R O U G H —A letter from Coach Jordan thanking me for the articles. I would later learn that Miss Emily Foster wrote and signed virtually all such letters, but it did not dim my appreciation of that letter. Little things mean a lot. — My War Eagle Supper Club membership card. It was called “The Eagle” in those days and it served the coldest beer and best pizza in Auburn in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Had to be a private club so it could sell beer on Sunday. There were other reasons, too; reasons that may have been important then, but are not important now. —Autographed pictures of Pat Sullivan, Terry Beasley, Dick Schmalz, Mike Kolen, Sonny Ferguson, Connie Frederick and others, my classmates and Saturday heroes. —Graduation announcement and invitation, August, summer quarter, 1969. —Signed program from the 1970 AuburnAlabama basketball game, John Mengelt’s 60 points and Auburn’s 121-78 victory. Oh, what a night! —Hurricane glass from Pat O’Brien’s on our first trip to the Sugar Bowl in 1971. Other than the game, a great trip, a great, great trip. My first true “introduction” to New Orleans. My head hurt for days. —Press pass from the 1972 Alabama game, signed by Coach Jordan himself with the numbers 17-16 written in his own hand. No “Ms. Emily” on this one. T H E Y E A R S —News release announcing Coach Jordan’s retirement announcement (April 8, 1975) and five years later, his obituary. Good man, Coach Jordan, good, good man. Good coach. —Letter of appreciation from Coach Bryant for the way we, the Auburn SID Office, with Coach Dye’s blessing and encouragement coordinated media coverage of his 315th and recordsetting victory. —Watch and ring from the 1983 SEC Champion Auburn Tigers, our first SEC football championship in 26 years. It was special then and it’s special now. —A copy of the 1988 news release announcing that Alabama would play in Auburn for the first time in 1989. It was a joint news release, but it was my pleasure, my very real pleasure, to write it. For once, I spoke for Alabama as well as Auburn. Few people have that opportunity. These mementoes and more reminded me once again of how blessed and fortunate I have been to have spent most of my life and all of my professional life at Auburn. Truly blessed. Truly grateful. If you are reading these words, you no doubt, have your own storehouse of Auburn memories, your own Auburn treasure trove. Don’t wait to move. Find it now, open it and realize again, as I did, just how blessed we are. We are truly blessed. Spring 2012 17 May 2012 Graduates Forty-five Auburn student-athletes took part in the May 2012 Graduation ceremonies. Baseball Justin Bryant Wes Gilmer Cory Luckie Men’s Basketball Adrian Forbes Frankie Sullivan* Women’s Basketball Morgan Jennings Equestrian Mallory Campbell Mary Casey Jillian Fuller Kelsey George Kristin Hansen Maggie McAlary Football Drew Cole Jared Cooper Chris Humphries Brad Lester Dustin Norris Men’s Golf Rosson Anderson Blayne Barber Cory Gilmer Kyle Kopsick Women’s Golf Patricia Sanz Haley Wilson Gymnastics Lauren Brzostowski Rachel Inniss Laura Lane Leah Vining Soccer Mary Nicholson Samantha Towne Lydia Townsend Softball Angel Bunner Jenee Loree Lauren Schmalz Kyndall White Swimming & Diving Anna Aguero Vennie Dantin Micah Martindale Drew Modrov Max Murphy Kelsey Winters Men’s Tennis Alex Stamchev Women’s Tennis Taylor Schreimann Men’s Track & Field Neil Danville Joby Peake Marcus Rowland Volleyball Christina Solverson *graduated in December, walking in May ceremonies Wes Byrum and Drew Cole of football Women’s golf graduates Haley Wilson and Patricia Sanz Soccer coach Karen Hoppa, Samantha Towne, Lydia Townsend, Mary Nicholson and assistant Coach Amy Berbary 18 Tiger Roar Katy Frierson Dan Mazzaferro Two Auburn Grads Named Finalist for NCAA Highest Award F F ormer Auburn student-athletes Academically, Frierson graduated summa cum laude in three and a half years with Katy Frierson (soccer) and Dan a degree in political science and was the SEC Mazzaferro (diving) were two of six finalists for Scholar-Athlete of the Year her senior year. A the 2012 Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship. member of Phi Kappa Phi and a Lowe’s Senior It is the highest academic honor given by the Class Award first-team member, Frierson was NCAA and only six student-athletes are given the the 2010 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year and opportunity to interview as finalists each year. Hermann Trophy semifinalist. She is currentThe Walter Byers Scholarships were estably pursuing a master’s degree in international lished in 1988 to recognize the contributions of development at Auburn. former NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. Mazzaferro was a three-time SEC chamRecipients must have at least a 3.5 grade-point pion diver and the SEC Male Diver of the average, demonstrate evidence of superior charYear in 2009 and 2011. A native of Cheshire, acter and leadership, and show that participation Conn., Mazzaferro is a seven-time All-American in athletics has been a positive influence on their who participated in the 2007 and 2009 World personal and intellectual development. University Games and was a United States Among the other finalists were Miles Batty of Olympic Trials finalist in 2008. Brigham Young (track and field/cross country), “Dan has been an outstanding ambassador for Matt Horn of Winthrop (soccer), Elizabeth the Auburn swimming and diving program, and we Phillips of Washington University (track and are proud of his many accomplishments,” Auburn field/cross country) and Kelsey Ward of Drury head swimming and diving coach Brett Hawke said. (swimming). “He has had success at the highest levels - athleticalAn All-American in 2010 and 2011, Frierson ly and academically - and we appreciate the many was a four-time first-team All-SEC member and contributions he has made to our program.” named conference freshman of the year in 2008. A Rhodes Scholar finalist in 2011 and 2012, The Homewood, Ala., native led Auburn to the Mazzaferro graduated from Auburn with a 3.92 2011 SEC Tournament title and was named the grade point average in chemistry and was a twotournament MVP. She was selected 10th overall time SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Mazzaferro in the women’s professional soccer draft. was a finalist for the Byers Postgraduate “We are so proud that Katy is a finalist,” Scholarship in 2010 and 2011, and is a fourAuburn head soccer coach Karen Hoppa said. time College Swimming Coaches Association “She epitomized the term student-athlete and of America Academic All-American. Currently has been an extraordinary representative of the studying medicine, Mazzaferro is a member of Phi Auburn soccer program on the field, in the classBeta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, National Society of room, and in the community. For her to have Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi, Golden the opportunity to interview in Indianapolis as Key International Honor Society, Delta Epsilon one of just six NCAA student-athletes is a great Iota and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. honor for her and for Auburn University.” PLEASE VISIt OUr OthEr PrOPErtIES EscapE at Wind crEEk, thE pErfEct dEstination for individuals, couplEs, groups and corporatE rEtrEats. Special Introductory 2 Night Escape * $232 ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE Directions: From Atlanta: I-85 to I-65 South on Exit 57 Atmore. From Mobile: I-65 North on Exit 57 Atmore. From Pensacola: take US-29 N to Molino, turn left onto FL-97. Crossing into Alabama, FL-97 becomes AL-21 N. Continue 8 miles north. 1-866-WIND 360 www.WindCreekCasino.com *price per person, per night based on double occupancy; package includes two nights level 15 hotel accommodations, two 50 minute spa services per room, per stay, 3 meals per day, fresh start juice or smoothie each morning, unlimited fitness & discovery activities, mini-culinary demonstrations and so much more; Offer subject to availability; advanced booking required. Mention code ESC0512ATR. Offer expires June 30, 2012. Blackout dates may apply. See yourself moving in a brighter financial direction. The path to financial freedom needs to be clearer. You want to be confident in your choices every step of the way. At BB&T, we’ve spent more than 135 years sharing our knowledge. Offering the sound advice and personal attention to help you manage your day-to-day finances and reach your long-term financial goals. When you’re better informed, you move in a brighter financial direction. Talk to us today about where your money can take you. And know how it feels to know more. BBT.com BANKING . INSURANCE . INVESTMENTS BB&T, Member FDIC. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. © 2011 Branch Banking and Trust Company. J J By Holly Crawford Getting to Know WBB Coach ust as the Auburn Arena silenced and basketball season came to a close for the 2011-12 season, a spotlight now shines on a new era of Auburn’s women’s basketball led by Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy, or “Coach Flo” as she is known. A former player at Penn State, an assistant coach for the University of Georgia, and most recently, head coach at Georgetown, WilliamsFlournoy has the experience to lead the Tigers through the always rugged Southeastern Conference. While at Georgetown, Williams-Flournoy led the Hoyas to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2010-2012). Coach Flo’s time at Georgetown was the most successful four-year stretch in program history, culminating in a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010. Williams-Flournoy’s record of success, on the court and in the classroom, and her vision for the Auburn program impressed Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs. “As we visited with Terri, not only has she had the proven success on the court, by her unprecedented success at Georgetown,” Jacobs said during the April 3 introductory press conference. “She took a program at Georgetown and left it far better than she found it. Not only that, all but one of her student-athletes have graduated in her eight years at Georgetown, and that (student-athlete) was just a few hours away from finishing.” As an assistant coach at Georgia from 19962002, Williams-Flournoy understands the intensely competitive Southeastern Conference and what it takes to build a successful program in the league. “I was an assistant coach at the University of Georgia under Andy Landers for six years,” Terri WilliamsFlournoy Head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy poses with her daughter, Maya, her son, Eric, Jr., and her husband Eric. Spring 2012 21 Williams-Flournoy said. “In those six years with Coach Landers, I was a recruiting coordinator for four of those years, and in those years we went to the NCAA Tournament, as well as the Final Four. I understand that in the SEC the competition is tough every night. But having been in that same competition for the last eight years in the Big East, I think I’m really capable of dealing with that. The type of players that we have to face each year in the conference, I know it’s tough, and that’s my job, to prepare our players each night for those games.” As with any coaching change, patience is needed. There is much to be done for Coach Flo, including hiring a coaching staff, getting to know her players, recruiting and numerous other tasks that go into building her vision of Auburn basketball. While Coach Flo works toward building a program, she has given Tiger fans a glimpse into the style of play they can expect from her teams. Akin to the “40 Minutes of Hell” 22 Tiger Roar style of the Nolan Richardson-coached Arkansas Razorbacks of the 1990’s, Coach Flo’s teams play an up tempo, pressure defense from opening tip to the final buzzer. “My coaching style, my style of play, is very simple. We want to play tenacious defense for 40 minutes,” Williams-Flournoy said. “We want to cause havoc as much as we can, and in doing that, we want to force teams to turn the ball over as many times as we can, and I know that that’s how it works because it has been successful for me. In doing that as well, and having played against teams in the SEC with my style of play, we beat Tennessee forcing them into 28 turnovers. We beat Georgia forcing them into 25 turnovers, and we forced LSU into a number of turnovers.” Havoc, fast-paced, forced turnovers, more offensive possessions and a tenacious defense are all in Coach Flo’s plans for the Tigers on the court. In her first meeting with the players, Williams-Flournoy stressed the need for one thing from her team. “I had the opportunity to have dinner with the players returning, with the girls. I told them I only needed one thing from them, and that was to be patient. We need to be patient because I have to learn them, they have to learn me. They have to be patient in how we want to play, and in being patient, there is one goal that we want to accomplish, and that is to win.” As a mother of two, Williams-Flournoy knows a thing or two about patience. She and her husband, Eric, have a daughter, Maya, 11, and a son, Eric, Jr., 8. Now a part of the Auburn family, Coach Flo is excited to bring her family and her team into the Auburn community to build a fan base to make Auburn Arena electrifying on game days. “I will be in the community, my team will be in the community, my coaches will be in the community, my family will be in the community,” Williams-Flournoy said. “If we can do that, then we can get you into this arena right now.” Be orange and Blue. Be the Bat Boy. Be at the College World SerieS. Be a hitChCoCk Field diehard. Be a Changeup pitCher. Be auBie. Be a knuCkleBall throWer. Be a Stat junkie. Be a SWitCh hitter. Be a Foul Ball CatCher. Be a hot dog eater. Be a Bo autograph Seeker. Be at tiger terraCe. Be a “phantom oF union SpringS” hiStorian. Be a War eagle Chanter. Be the top Ballpark. Be at toomer’S Corner aFter the game. When your health is protected, you can focus on being you. Share your story at Gabriel Gracefully Takes Runner Up in Slam Dunk Championship I By Damaso Palencia I n the 24th Annual State Farm College Slam Dunk Championship, Auburn’s own, Kenny Gabriel and several other talented participants put on a show that many considered to be far greater than the NBA’s version. The senior forward, known to have tremendous slam dunk ability, displayed his capability to throw it down with style in New Orleans during the Final Four week of festivities. When asked about the chance to show off his talents on a national level, Gabriel was just grateful for the opportunity. “It is an honor because I never thought that I would be able to be in a dunk contest for college,” Gabriel said. “I am glad that I got the opportunity to do it.” Wanting to start strong in the first round, Gabriel ran down the baseline to receive an alley-oop off of the side of the back board and finished with a windmill, one-handed jam. In his second go around, Gabriel got some help from ESPN announcer Jimmy Dykes, who alleyooped the ball to Gabriel who then jumped over an ad board and threw it down with two hands. In the semifinals, Gabriel got an alley-oop in the same fashion as his first dunk, only this time ending with a 360 put-down. That was enough to put him in a head-to-head finals match-up with Martin Methodist’s James Justice, a 5-10 guard with a 52-inch vertical leap. In his final outing of the contest, Gabriel seemed to channel his inner Michael Jordan by bouncing the ball in the air from behind the arc and caught the ball in mid-air just past the foul line to slam it home with one hand. Despite his jaw-dropping dunk, it was not enough beat out Justice, who snagged the ball off the bounce and finished by going between the legs and dunking it with one hand. In good sport, Gabriel took the title belt and presented to Justice after his impressive dunk. “It was real fun and a great atmosphere,” Gabriel said after the contest. “It feels great to compete and represent Auburn in this way.” 24 Tiger Roar LONG DRIVES. SHORT TRAVEL. Just because you’re going to see some long drives doesn’t mean you have to make one. Next time you’re heading to an Auburn home game, plan to stay just minutes away from the stadium at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National. Speaking of drives, don’t forget to pack your golf clubs so that you can enjoy 54 holes of world-class golf on The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The luxurious 114 guestrooms and 15 suites come complete with meticulous service and an elegant atmosphere. For information or to make reservations, call 800.593.6456 or visit MarriottGrandNational.com. AUBURN MARRIOTT OPELIKA HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER AT GRAND NATIONAL 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, AL 36801 Phone 334.741.9292, MarriottGrandNational.com A part of the Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail © 2010 Marriott International, Inc. MORE WAYS TO SEARCH. MORE WAYS TO FIND. Stadiums, Arenas & Athletic Fields. One of the many things you can find with YP Real Yellow Pages, YP.com and YP.com on your mobile. Only from AT&T. © 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, AT&T logo and all AT&T related marks are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. 12-20418 PNT_02/03/2012 By Katie Briley S tudent - A thlete H ighlight Sanz Sisters Living the Auburn Family A mong Auburn women’s golf’s five-person lineup stand a pair of sisters. Unlike most on sibling groups who follow in their family member’s footsteps, Patricia “Pati” and Marta Sanz traveled a long way from home to be on the same team. The sisters are from Madrid, Spain, where they each enjoyed successful high school careers. Patricia played on the Spanish team that defeated other teams like Sweden and France. Marta won the 2010 Madrid Championship defeating her sister. The pair won various other tournaments including a couple’s tournament they competed in together. The two talented golfers have much to be proud of their time at Auburn. Pati, a senior on the squad, was selected as a NGCA AllAmerican Scholar three times since coming to Auburn in addition to being one of the strongest contributors to the team. Marta, a sophomore, was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and finished this fall first on the team with a stroke average of 73.50. The Sanz sisters began playing golf at a young age when their father introduced them to the game. “My dad started playing when he was 37. I was seven and Marta was five when we started playing. It was me, my sister and my dad,” Pati said. When Pati began looking at colleges, Auburn seemed like a good fit. “I chose Auburn because it was a really good combination of athletics and academics,” Pati said. When Marta began looking at which college to attend, Pati had natural concerns about playing on the same team with her sibling. Those concerns, however, quickly diminished after Marta arrived on campus. “In the beginning, we didn’t know if we were going to have a good relationship,” Pati said. “Now that I am here, it’s great to be with her on the same team. I’m having a great experience.” Marta agreed with her older sister and is glad they get to share the experience. “It’s better with my sister here,” Marta said. “I don’t get as homesick anymore. With her, everything is easier.” The sisters attribute some of their success to their ability to work together. They push each other every day and their teamwork is what has ultimately gotten them where they are. “We help each other out,” Marta said. “When we try to fix our problems, we consult with one another. We really help each other.” Pati and Marta’s relationship does not stop on the course. These sisters are as close off the course as they are on. “She’s my best friend,” Marta said. “We have a really great relationship. We do everything together.” While they may be inseparable, the two could not be more different. “We are completely opposite,” Pati said. “We want to kill each other half the time; but, we are a good combination. We put each other back on track. We can help each other in that way.” The future is bright for these two young golfers. As a sophomore, Marta will be continuing her career here at Auburn without her sister by her side. As for Pati, she graduated with her degree in May. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next year without her here,” Marta said. As a team, the Tigers successfully defended last season’s SEC Championship, claiming the 2012 title in April and Pati won the SEC individual title. All of which, put Pati through a wide-array of feelings as her collegiate career comes to a close. “I am really emotional,” Pati said. “I said, ‘What am I going to do? Where am I going to go now?’ It hasn’t hit me yet; but, it’s like any step in life. I think I am excited for it.” Patricia Sanz Marta Sanz Spring 2012 27 student - athlete highlight Luckie in Search of MD Instead of MLB M any baseball players dream of playing in the major leagues, but senior pitcher Cory Luckie, a native of Prattville, Ala. has a different plan. Although his baseball career is concluding at the end of this season, Luckie has taken many lessons on and off the field to help him with his future. Luckie graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and will attend medical school at UAB. “I think that the biggest thing about playing baseball is preparing me for professional school,” Luckie said. “It prepares you for some of the struggles you’ll face during life. You have to manage your time with everything that you have going on in your life, and that will help me in many ways.” As a member of numerous honor societies on campus, Luckie has rarely had trouble with his academics, but learning time management to keep up his grades has been essential. “I always tell people that managing baseball and school is about pride, because when you’re on a team with other guys, your grades in school affect your performance,” Luckie said. “You have to take pride in what you do in school because it 28 Tiger Roar affects your teammates also.” Luckie also has taken time from baseball and school to volunteer with organizations such as Toys for Tots and Storybook Farms. He was named to the SEC Community Service Team following his junior year. “When you do volunteer work, kids look up to you. You have to really think about what you’re doing outside of baseball because someone’s always watching,” Luckie added. In addition to being named to the SEC Community Service Team, Luckie has also been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three consecutive years, has been selected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, was voted to the Capital One Academic All-District First Team in 2011 and was named a 2012 team captain. With his many achievements, Luckie remains grateful for everyone who has helped and encouraged him during his time at Auburn, including his wife. Luckie married the former Lauren Mills in November 2011. “I think that having somebody there—whether it is a wife, a best friend, or an older person to keep you grounded—has really helped me,” Luckie said. “She helps me stay grounded, humble, those types of things.” He is also thankful for having former Auburn players to look up to from his childhood. “When you’re watching college baseball games as a little kid in Auburn and you see guys like Tim Hudson or Gabe Gross, it definitely gives you something to work for,” Luckie said. “The biggest thing is when you’ve seen guys like them that have been not only successful in the big leagues but successful in life.” Leaving Auburn in May and entering medical school will be bittersweet for Luckie, but Auburn has left a lasting impression on his life. “I don’t think I would have changed anything from my time here, because everything you do helps you learn,” Luckie said. “Any mistakes you make, you learn from. It’s all been great.” By Claire Fisher Your Source for School Supplies and Auburn Souvenirs for 58 Years! Call Us Toll Free: 1-800-323-1405 www.jmbooks.com email: j_mbooks@mindspring.com 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! J&M Bookstore (New, modern) 1100 S. College St. (334) 826-8844 J&M Bookstore (Old location...a classic) 115 S. College St. • (334) 887-7007 Coach Gene Chizik visits East Alabama Medical Center with members of the football staff. (l-r) Karibi Dede, Tim Jackson, Al Pogue, Ryan Pugh, Jeff Hudson, Phillip Lolley, Gene Chizik, Cory Richie, Wayne Bolt, Ben Thomas, Chad Lunsford, Darrell Pfingston, Adam Stewart, Paul Stewart. “It’s great to be able to give back. This is all about Fourth Annual giving back to the people in the community. Auburn is a great community, the whole surrounding area. It’s our job to get out and mingle with the people and try to give some encouragement.” Gene Chizik, head football coach TIGERS GIVE BACK Executive Director of Basketball Steve Smith plays bingo at the Azalea Place Retirement Home. 30 Tiger Roar C O M M UN I T Y S E R V I C E D A Y “I think it is so important for us to recognize all that the community does for us on a regular basis. Giving back is just a small part of what we can do and in the end it actually gives me more than I give. I finished the morning feeling a renewed feeling of accomplishment, fellowship and connection with the people that live here in Auburn.” Jeff Graba, head gymnastics coach Coach Chizik greets Jeff Hudson, a staff member in environmental services at East Alabama Medical Center. A uburn University head football coach Gene Chizik spent his morning visiting patients at the East Alabama Medical Center and head men’s basketball coach Tony Barbee refined his skills as a Bingo caller for the residents of Azalea Place Retirement Home in the afternoon, all as part of Auburn Athletics Fourth Annual Tigers Give Back Community Service Day. More than 100 athletics staff and coaches helped at seven different locations in the AuburnOpelika community. The baseball, tennis and golf staffs cleared shrubs and painted fences at Pine Hill Cemetery, while gymnastics staff organized and cleaned the basement at Auburn United Methodist Church. Equestrian and soccer built a bike trail at Chewacla State Park. Other projects featured included sanding and varnishing furniture and yard work at the Bethany House and cleaning up after CityFest in Kiesel Park. Senior Woman Administrator Meredith Jenkins and A.J. Mills, assistant to the Athletics Director cleaned and polished furniture at Bethany House. “When you’re out here working you really feel like you’re giving back to the City of Auburn. As coaches and athletics staff we are so fortunate to be able to give anything back and it’s not near enough of what we’ve gotten in return.” Kim Evans, head women’s golf coach Spring 2012 31 M Auburn Teammates Reunite for Bo Bikes Bama M M ore than 100 bike riders sat at the starting line in Henagar, Ala., set to begin a 50-mile ride. Bo Jackson stepped on stage with a special guest and changed the atmosphere with one story. He introduced Bryce Ferguson, an 11-year-old boy. Last April, Bryce lost his mother, father and sister in the tornadoes that ravaged more than 200 miles of Alabama land. Bryce is a prime example of the reason Bo Bikes Bama has brought together community after community to continue the recovery efforts. Among those reunited were Jackson’s Auburn teammates. More than 20 years after they led Auburn to an SEC Championship, top15 rankings and watched Jackson win the 1985 Heisman Trophy, nine former players stood at that starting line ready to ride in support. Forming a ceremonial football formation to begin the ride, Jackson was joined by his offensive line Yann Cowart, Ben Tamburello, Jay Jacobs, David Jordan and Pat Arrington, his quarterback Randy Campbell, receiver Tommy Carroll, defensive back Bob Harris and placekicker Al Del Greco. (l-r) Randy Campbell, Jay Jacobs, Ben Tamburello, Pat Arrington, Bob Harris, Bo Jackson, Yann Cowart, Tommy Carroll, Al Del Greco, David Jordan “I was not sure what to expect nor what would be the results,” said Arrington, “However, after we started the ride, it really kicked in how moving the entire day was. It was unbelievable to see the support and to see the destruction. It was a real honor for me to ride with a great bunch of guys.” The route was planned and designed to take riders into the direct areas affected by the tornadoes, much of which has not recovered, despite a year’s time passing. “It was a moving experience to see all the people who had damage to their houses and trees, lives devastated. Finishing 50 miles, we did it. We showed up today and finished strong. It’s says a lot about our tenacity as a group.” At the lunch stop, the team of riders were greeted by more than 100 school kids lining Hwy 75 in Fyffe, Ala. Immediately, Jackson jumped off his bike and made his way down the entire street meeting and taking pictures with his young fans. “It’s great that Bo would use his celebrity for this platform,” said Tamburello, the two-time AllAmerican center. “The best part was seeing all the kids as Bo would pass. I am so proud that he is an Auburn man, and really an Alabama man.” Jackson not only used his celebrity, but enlisted the help of some of his well-known friends like six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, 13-time major league all-star outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr., two-time Olympic gold medalist skier Picabo Street and Olympic gold medalist triple-jumper Al Joyner, who got out of their comfort zone for the ride. Jackson was the overall ride winner, passing through the finish line at the Lodge in Lake Guntersville nearly two hours before the projected time. “I am so happy I did this,” said Del Greco. “My goal was to make it to lunch, but my teammates spurred me on. I made it all the way until the last hill, that was a tough one, but what a great experience and I couldn’t be happier for what Bo is doing.” Two weeks after the ride, Bo Bikes Bama has raised over $500,000 for the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund, established to help Alabamians with continued recovery needs. Spring 2012 33 A UBURN A REN A 2 012 -13 COUR T S I D E C L UB L O G E C L UB Benefits for these seats include: Benefits for these seats include: • Renewable priority floor seating • Renewable priority seating in the Loge Club • Complimentary Season Ticket • Complimentary Season Ticket • Exclusive access to the Courtside Lounge • Leather, rolling chair • Pre-game meal and half time hospitality • Exclusive access to the Scholarship Terrace • Preferred Parking • Pre-game meal and half time hospitality • Priority in ordering post-season tickets for SEC and NCAA Tournaments • Preferred Parking • Tigers Unlimited Membership Card and Decal • Priority in ordering post-season tickets for SEC and NCAA Tournaments • Invitation to annual Basketball Scholarship Donor Dinner • Tigers Unlimited Membership Card and Decal • Name listed in Basketball Yearbook • Invitation to annual Basketball Scholarship Donor Dinner • Name listed in Basketball Yearbook Annual Contribution $2,500 Annual Contribution $1,500 Estimated Season Tickets Included Estimated Season Tickets Included Total Per Year $2,500 Total Per Year $1,500 (1 seat) (1 seat) A REN A C L UB SCHO L A RSH I P C L UB Benefits for these seats include: Benefits for these seats include: • Renewable priority seating in the Arena Club • Renewable priority seating in the Scholarship Club • Complimentary Season Ticket • Complimentary Season Ticket • Fully upholstered chairback seat with cupholder • Fully upholstered chairback seat with cupholder • Exclusive access to the Scholarship Terrace • Exclusive access to the Scholarship Terrace • Option to purchase upgraded hospitality package with access to the Courtside Lounge • Pre-game meal and half time hospitality • Pre-game meal and half time hospitality • Preferred Parking • Preferred Parking • Priority in ordering post-season tickets for SEC and NCAA Tournaments • Priority in ordering post-season tickets for SEC and NCAA Tournaments • Tigers Unlimited Membership Card and Decal • Tigers Unlimited Membership Card and Decal • Invitation to annual Basketball Scholarship Donor Dinner • Invitation to annual Basketball Scholarship Donor Dinner • Name listed in Basketball Yearbook • Name listed in Basketball Yearbook Annual Contribution $1,300 (1 seat) Annual Contribution $1,300 $1,600 (w.hospitality upgrade) Estimated Season Tickets Included Estimated Season Tickets Included Total Per Year $1,300 Total Per Year $1,300 $1,600 (1 seat) (w.hospitality upgrade) T UF B A S K E T B A L L Benefits for these seats include: Annual Contribution $150-300 Estimated Season Tickets • Chairback seat with cupholder $180-300 Total Per Year • Opportunity to purchase postseason basketball tickets (certain restrictions apply) $330-450 • Tigers Unlimited Membership Card and Decal • Priority in ordering renewable season ticket for Auburn men’s basketball Contribute now by visiting www.tigersunlimited.com THIS IS AUBURN FOOTBALL Join the Auburn family as we hit the road with the Tigers! We’ll travel in style with our spirited group of Auburn fans with packages designed to keep our fans together on the road. We’ll book your hotel, arrange transportation to and from the stadium and tailgating parties, and provide an on-site hospitality desk to help with any questions while on the road. For more information visit www.TotalSportsTravel.com/Auburn or call 888.367.8781. 2012 AWAY GAME TRAVEL PACKAGES CLEMSON OLE MISS VANDERBILT AUG 31-SEPT 2 OCT 12-14 OCT 19-21 TWO NIGHT PACKAGE TWO NIGHT PACKAGE TWO NIGHT PACKAGE TOTAL SPORTS TRAVEL IS THE OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER OF TIGERS UNLIMITED AND THE AUBURN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. FOLLOW US ON O By Mae Margaret Davis AU Athletes from Track and Swimming & Diving O Vie for Olympic Teams O n July 27, 2012, athletes from countries around the globe will gather in London for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The athletes all come from different places, cultures and backgrounds, but each has a similar story. They have performed at the highest levels of their individual sports and have each earned the chance to represent their respective countries on the sports world’s grandest stage. Auburn has its own host of athletes, from its track and field and swimming and diving teams, who will join their countrymen in vying for a chance to win a coveted Olympic medal. After having more than 30 current and former athletes compete in the 2008 Olympics, the Tigers are hard at work earning spots on teams for this summer’s games. Two of Auburn’s current swimmers, James Disney-May and Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, have already grabbed spots on the Great Britain and Bahamian teams, respectively. A native of Surrey, England, Disney-May is looking forward to the opportunity to represent Great Britain, while getting to compete just 30 miles from his hometown. “It’s going to be amazing with the home crowd advantage,” Disney-May said. “I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m really excited. A lot of family and friends are going to be able to watch me. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a great experience for me.” At just 19-years-old, this is Disney-May’s first trip to the Olympics. He is competing in the 4x100 freestyle relay, but isn’t placing any expectations on himself. He is simply hoping to swim his best. “I think my goal is just to be better than I have all year and just to do a best time,” Disney-May said. “I just want to do my bit for the relay for my country and swim to my potential.” Disney-May is also honored to be able to add his name to Auburn’s storied list of Olympic swimmers. “It’s an honor really to look at my name up on the Olympic board and with some of those other names, being categorized with them,” Disney-May said. “I can’t really put it into words. I just feel like it’s a special thing to be part of that list.” Vanderpool-Wallace is also hoping to make a splash on the international stage. Having just finished her senior season as a Tiger, the Nassau, Bahamas, native is no stranger to Olympic waters. She earned the chance to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing before ever swimming a race for Auburn. This time around, Vanderpool-Wallace is looking forward to the experience, but has her mind set on reaching higher goals in her second Olympics. “It’s a great feeling to go back for a second time and be ranked higher than I was last time because I have the experience of being there and swimming in front of such a huge crowd,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. “I also have the times that can back it up and swim faster this go around.” AUburn olympic hopefuls MEN’S TRACK & FIELD Active (members of the Auburn roster as of the 2011-12 season) Events Name (Country) Harry Adams (USA) 100m/200m Keenan Brock (USA) 100m/200m Marcus Rowland (USA) 100m/200m Shot Put/Discus Stephen Saenz (Mexico) DJ Smith (USA) High Jump Alumni Name (Country) Events Ty Akins (USA) 110m Hurdles 100m/200m Marc Burns (Trinidad and Tobago) Cory Martin (USA) Throws Gabor Mate (Hungary) Discus Reuben McCoy (USA) 400m Hurdles Avard Moncur (Bahamas) 400m Triple Jump Leevan Sands (Bahamas) Shamar Sands (Bahamas) 110m Hurdles Maurice Smith (Jamaica) Decathlon Donald Thomas (Bahamas) High Jump Mark Johnson (Iceland) Pole Vault WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Active (members of the Auburn roster as of the 2011-12 season) Events Name (Country) Monica Carney (USA) High Jump Maya Pressley (USA) High Jump Kai Selvon (Trinidad and Tobago) 100m/200m Nivea Smith (Bahamas) 100m/200m 100m/200m V’alonee Robinson (Bahamas) Alumni Name (Country) Events JoAnna Atkins (USA) 200m/400m Vonette Dixon (Jamaica) 100m Sheniqua Ferguson (Bahamas) 100m/200m Danielle Gilchrist (USA) 400m Hurdles Jovanne Jarrett (Jamaica) Long Jump Josanne Lucas (Trinidad and Tobago) 400m Hurdles Kerron Stewart (Jamaica) 100m/200m *qualified for Olympic Games Spring 2012 39 Having taken in the sights and sounds of the Games four years ago, the veteran contender is prepared for a slightly different routine this summer. “I remember last time we went to the Opening Ceremony, it ended up going late into the night, and I was swimming shortly thereafter,” VanderpoolWallace said. “I think this year I’m going to be able to go and experience the Opening Ceremonies, but not do it at the risk of hurting how I compete.” Vanderpool-Wallace has an added advantage this summer in her coaching staff. Auburn swimming and diving head coach Brett Hawke will be coaching the Bahamian Olympic swim team, something VanderpoolWallace says is monumental in helping her swim her best. “It’s definitely really helpful because I know I’ll be comfortable,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. “In 2008, I had a coach that I’d never been coached by before, so it was an experience getting used to his coaching style. I know that I’m going to be able to swim fast, and (Coach Hawke) knows exactly what I need to do and when I need to do it.” Out of the water, Auburn’s track and field athletes are looking to earn high marks, as well. Stephen Saenz, a sophomore throws competitor, grew up in the border town of Rio Grande City, Texas, and had always dreamed of competing as Olympic athlete and having earned dual citizenship within the past couple of years because of his Mexican heritage, Saenz was thrilled to learn he has a chance to represent Mexico this summer in shot put. “I thought Mexico would be pretty cool, and now that I realize I’m throwing for them, I have so much more pride and appreciation for Mexico,” Saenz said. As Saenz began throwing more competitively in middle school and high school and started looking at colleges to attend, being an Olympic athlete was always something he dreamed about, but didn’t know would be a possibility. “It was always a dream, but I didn’t know if it was a realistic dream,” Saenz said. “When I got to college and started throwing the distances that I’m throwing, I started to think ‘I can do this for a short time as a career.’ I’m just ecstatic about it. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.” Auburn assistant head coach Jerry Clayton is eager to watch the rest of Saenz’s career unfold and saw from the time he was a high school recruit that Saenz had potential to accomplish Olympic-sized goals. “The one thing that I really felt was a big asset, other than his explosiveness and the speed, was his ability to compete,” Clayton said. “That’s a big thing that I take into consideration. I like to recruit athletes who will show up in the big competitions, and he had a history of that. He hasn’t disappointed at all. “It’s a great success for him, his family, and obviously being able to represent Mexico in the Games.” Despite competing for different countries, each of the athletes share a common bond when they represent the Orange and Blue on the international level, and remember what it means to be an Auburn Tiger wherever their athletic careers take them. “I love Auburn,” Saenz said. “I think it’s the best university in the country. It’s amazing what it has done for me. I want to go over (to London) and represent Auburn in the best way I can; represent with my attitude and the way I carry myself, and just make the Auburn Tigers proud.” AUburn olympic hopefuls MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING Active (members of the Auburn roster as of the 2011-12 season) Name (Country)Events Michael Beran (USA) Synchronized diving Allen Browning (USA) 100, 200 free; 200 back, 200 fly, 400 IM Marcelo Chierighini (Brazil) 100 free, relays 4x100 relay * James Disney-May (Great Britain) Stuart Ferguson (USA) 100 breast Zane Grothe (USA) 200, 400, 1500 free Peter Haas (USA) 200 breast Spencer Kerns (USA) 200 IM 400 IM Chris Kramer (USA) Karl Krug (USA) 50, 100 free TJ Leon (USA) 50, 100 free; 100 fly Fraser McKean (Canada) Platform diving Drew Modrov (USA) 50, 100 free Max Murphy (USA) 100, 200 back Kyle Owens (USA) 100 free; 100, 200 back; 200 IM Brandon Siemasko (USA) 100, 200 back Alumni Name (Country) Events George Bovell (Trinidad & Tobago) 50, 100 free * Adam Brown (Great Britain) 50, 100 free; 4x100 relay * Cesar Cielo (Brazil) 50, 100 free; 100 fly, relays Mark Gangloff (USA) 100, 200 breast; 200 IM Adam Klein (USA) 100, 200 breast Robert Looney (USA) 400 free; 200 fly * Gideon Louw (South Africa) 100 free Bryan Lundquist (USA) 50, 100 free Logan Madson (USA) 100, 200 fly Tyler McGill (USA) 50, 100 free; 100 back; 100, 200 fly Kohlton Norys (USA) 50, 100 free; 100, 200 back Eric Shanteau (USA) 100, 200 breast; 200 IM 40 Tiger Roar * Matt Targett (Australia) 100 free Signees (will join Auburn roster in the Fall of 2012) Name (Country) Events Jordan Jones (USA) 200, 400 IM Jacob Siar (USA) 200 back Justin Youtsey (USA) Synchronized diving WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING Active (members of the Auburn roster as of the 2011-12 season) Name (Country) Events Emily Bos (USA) 50, 100 free; 100 back Vennie Dantin (USA) 3M, Platform diving 100, 200 free Megan Fonteno (Samoa) Katie Gardocki (USA) 200, 400, 800 free Laura Johnson (USA) 100 breast 100 free Becca Jones (USA) Lauren Norberg (USA) 100, 200 breast Lindsey Norberg (USA) 100 breast Olivia Scott (USA) 100 free, 100 back, 100 fly * Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace (Bahamas)50, 100 free; 100 fly Kelsey Winters (USA) 100 free Alumni Name (Country) Events * Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) 100, 200 back; 200, 400 IM Alana Dillette (Bahamas) 4x100 relay * Stephanie Horner (Canada) 400 IM Signees (will join Auburn roster in the Fall of 2012) Name (Country) Events Caroline Bryant (USA) 100 fly Katherine Criter (USA) 100 breast Caitlyn Forman (USA) 100, 200 back Sarah Reynolds (USA) 100, 200 back Jillian Vitarius (USA) 100, 200 back 981-0112 It’s Hard To Tell People About Your Trip, When Your Breath’s Been Taken Away. From the moment you first arrive at our quaint gulf front village, you’ll realize you’re somewhere special. Perhaps it’s the smiles that come from our sincere, southern-inspired service. Or the secluded white sand beach with tropical turquoise water and balmy saltwater breezes. It could be the elegance of our gulffront condos and cozy lakeside cottages, with access to an endless list of activities and upscale amenities not offered at other gulf resorts. Perhaps it is something less tangible. Perhaps this is just a special place that touches the heart and calls you back time and again. For once you arrive, you never fully leave. BeachClubAL.com | 855-257-8285 SPECTRUM BEACH CLUB MANAGEMENT LLC C ompliance C orner by David Housel Summer Compliance Questions E ven though the traditional academic year has come to an end, Auburn’s studentathletes will continue to remain busy and active over the summer. Some will attend summer classes, others will be working, and a few will even have the honor of representing their country in the Olympic Games in London. Despite the fact that these student-athletes will not be competing for Auburn during the summer months, NCAA regulations remain in place regarding what activities are and are not permissible. What follows are some frequently-asked questions regarding what student-athletes can do during the summer months. Can student-athletes take part in workouts during the summer? Yes. While required athletically-related activity is prohibited during the summer vacation period, student-athletes can take part in voluntary workouts. These workouts can be designed by a strength and conditioning coach who works with all sports, but must be requested and initiated by the student-athlete. Additionally, there is new legislation for men’s basketball, which allows coaches to conduct practice sessions in the summer months. The newly coined “summer access” legislation allows up to eight hours per week of weight training, conditioning and skill instruction for up to eight weeks. Summer access to the men’s basketball student-athletes is conditioned on enrollment in summer classes, or, if not enrolled in summer school, minimum academic requirements. Can student-athletes obtain summer jobs? Yes. The same rules apply to summer jobs that pertain to jobs during the academic year. A student-athlete may work as long as he or she is paid only for work actually performed and at a rate similar to other employees in like positions, in that locale. A student-athlete’s name or likeness may not be used to promote a business in any way, as this constitutes an endorsement of the business in violation of NCAA amateurism rules. All employment of student-athletes must be approved by the Auburn University Athletics Department. Can student-athletes work Auburn sports summer camps? Yes, but in addition to coaching and providing instruction, student-athletes working the camp must perform general supervisory duties in order to be compensated. Student-athletes who work camp may be paid different amounts based on their experience working camp, but not for their athletics reputation or ability. Do athletics scholarships provide aid to summer school? Yes. Athletics-based financial aid is awarded on an annual basis. The academic year for financial aid begins in fall and includes spring semester and the following summer terms. Aid in the summer cannot be awarded for more than is awarded during the traditional academic year. In addition, a new freshman student-athlete can receive an athletics scholarship in the summer prior to his or her first fall semester. This allows many new student-athletes to come to Auburn in May to begin their college careers, rather than waiting until August. Can student-athletes use their athletics scholarships to take classes somewhere other than Auburn? No. Summer financial aid may be awarded only to attend the awarding institution’s summer term, summer school, or summer orientation program. It’s not permissible for Auburn to pay tuition and fees for a current student-athlete at a different institution. It is, however, permissible for Auburn to provide financial aid for student-athletes to study abroad. A few Auburn men and women will take advantage of this opportunity and study in Italy, England, Spain and France, among other countries. Can student-athletes use Auburn University athletics equipment during the summer? Yes. It is permissible for student-athletes to retain and use institutional equipment during the summer vacation period. There is even legislation that allows an equestrian student-athlete to use an institutional horse over the summer. I’m sure many were wondering about that. That is a brief summary of some of the summer rules that apply to student-athletes. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the compliance staff. Have a great summer and please remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT! War Eagle! New Men’s Basketball Summer Access Legislation Incoming Freshman, and Two-Year and Four-Year College Transfers Requirements for Summer Access to Student-Athletes 42 Tiger Roar Must be enrolled in summer school. Student-Athletes Following Completion of the First Year of Collegiate Enrollment Student-Athletes Following Completion of the Second Year of Collegiate Enrollment Student-Athletes Following Completion of the Third Year of Collegiate Enrollment Must be enrolled in Must be enrolled in summer summer school, Must be enrolled in summer school, OR school, OR If not enrolled in summer OR If not enrolled in summer school, must present a If not enrolled in summer school, must present a 2.2 2.2 GPA and shall have school, must present a 2.2 GPA and shall have completed completed successfully at grade point average (GPA) and successfully at least 75 percent of have successfully completed 30 least 50 percent of the course the course requirements in the requirements in the student’s semester credit hours. student’s specific degree program specific degree program. REWARD YOURSELF AND AUBURN STUDENTS Carlos Lemus Auburn Spirit Foundation Scholarship Recipient Auburn Junior Chilton County High School 2009 Graduate Clanton, Alabama Welcome to the Auburn Family, Carlos. The Spirit of Auburn credit card, featuring the WorldPoints® program, contributes to Auburn’s scholarship fund while allowing you to earn rewards on purchases, too. To date, our credit card program has generated more than $5.7 million for freshman academic scholarships. By using this card for all your everyday purchases, you share the Auburn spirit by benefiting students who most deserve academic scholarships – at no additional cost to you – and you ultimately help shape the future of Auburn. Even more reason to enjoy redeeming all the points you earn for cash rewards, travel, or merchandise. One good turn deserves another. For details or to apply, visit www.auburn.edu/spiritcard. The Spirit of Auburn credit card is made possible by the Auburn Spirit Foundation for Scholarships (ASFS), which is affiliated with Auburn University. This advertisement was paid for by the ASFS. For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of these cards or to apply, visit www.auburn.edu/spiritcard and refer to the disclosures accompanying the online credit card application. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated and is used by the issuer pursuant to license. Platinum Plus and WorldPoints are registered trademarks of FIA Card Services, N.A. ARV2U0Z2 4/12/12 © 2012 Bank of America Corporation. Excelling at academics and active in leadership roles at his high school earned Carlos an Auburn Spirit Foundation Scholarship, among others. He considered several universities, but as he explained, “Auburn offered me what no other institution could: a suburban setting, great diversity, great education, an excellent range of activities to choose from, and an outstanding financial aid package.” “I am studying software engineering with a minor in German and hope to create computerbased language-learning applications. I’m particularly interested in assisting translators for non-lucrative organizations to become more efficient so that they can have an even greater impact on their societies,” he noted. Carlos serves as a Spanish translator for several national and international missionary teams and is president of an international student organization on campus. Receiving this scholarship has provided Carlos with meaningful possibilities for growth and success at Auburn. “I feel enabled to pursue the goals that I otherwise would have found difficult to achieve. I can honestly say that to me, the Auburn Spirit Foundation Scholarship signifies true opportunity, more than just a cash reward.” Thank you for supporting Auburn scholarships – and students like Carlos – through your use of the Spirit of Auburn credit card. Your efforts are instrumental in welcoming new students to the Auburn Family. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II REFUEL YOUR CAREER WITH THE BEST, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. The Executive MBA Programs at Auburn University can fuel your career without grounding your schedule. Ranked among the world’s best by the Financial Times of London, the programs feature a uniquely flexible blend of advanced curriculum delivery and short campus visits. Take your career to new heights. Contact us for information at: www.AubEMBA.org 1.877.AUB.EMBA C OLLEGE OF BUSINESS E x ecu t i v e M B A P r o g r a ms business.auburn.edu Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. T igers Tigers Unlimited Calendar April 1 - July 1 Basketball ticket priority contribution renewal period May 15thDeadline for submitting football ticket orders online; after May 15 non-renewed seats will be reassigned and made available to new TUF members, Auburn alumni and friends June 1st Public football tickets available online 15thDeadline to submit change of address for football ticket mailings July 1 - Sept 1 Baseball ticket priority contribution renewal period August Football season tickets are mailed from AU Ticket Office 17th-18th Annual Football Scholarship Donor Weekend 18th Annual Executive Suiteholders’ Night September U nlimited calendar Enjoy Auburn Athletics in an Auburn Arena Tailgate Suite Take tailgating to the next level in an Auburn Arena Tailgate Suite. These innovative suites combine all the amenities of a back yard, patio cookout with tailgating “Auburn Style” on gameday. Use your suite to tailgate before home football, men’s and women’s basketball games and even gymnastics meets. Invite your friends and family to join you in your private, fenced in courtyard complete with teak patio table, matching chairs and extra bench seating. Grill up your favorite pregame fare on the state-of-the-art, stainless steel Viking grill included with every tailgate suite. The interior of the tailgate suite is fully equipped with an LCD TV, sectional sofa, island bar height table with bar stools, ice storage unit, buffet service counter, sink and secure storage cabinets. Other tailgate suite amenities include premium seating for men’s and women’s basketball games as well as gymnastics and access to the Auburn Arena Courtside Lounge with parking passes and premium restrooms. For more information contact TUF@auburn.edu. 1stBasketball season ticket order forms are mailed to TUF ticket priority members October 1st Deadline for submitting basketball ticket order forms November Basketball season tickets are mailed from AU Ticket Office Spring 2012 45 Top-10 Finishes Routine for Auburn A A uburn’s swimming and diving teams posted a pair of top-10 finishes to wrap up the 2011-12 season as the Tiger men took sixth place and the women tied for seventh at their respective NCAA Championships events in March. Additionally, the Auburn men continued their record streak at the conference level by winning their 16th consecutive SEC Championship. Senior Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace defended her national title in the 100 freestyle to highlight the women’s performance in their home pool for the NCAA Championships. Auburn finished with 31 All-America honors from 12 different competitors (seven from Vanderpool-Wallace). The squad broke four school records and two pool records during the meet to score a total of 249 points, tying Tennessee for seventh place. Vanderpool-Wallace’s time of 46.88 was a pool record, outpacing Georgia’s Megan Romano and Arizona’s Margo Geer to win her third individual NCAA title. The 400 freestyle relay team of Hannah Riordan, Olivia Scott, Emily Bos and VanderpoolWallace clocked a school-record 3:11.49 to earn runner-up honors, and senior Vennie Dantin posted a third-place finish in 1-meter diving and a fourth-place showing on the 3-meter board, earning school-record scores in each event. Scott 46 Tiger Roar Swimming & Diving would set the school record in the 100 butterfly (51.46) and earn a runner-up finish in the championship final. Earlier in the season, Vanderpool-Wallace broke her own NCAA record in the 100 freestyle, clocking a 46.61 on a relay leadoff leg at the SEC Championships. The team of VanderpoolWallace, Riordan, Bos and Haley Krakoski won the 200 freestyle relay, and the team of Vanderpool-Wallace, Riordan, Megan Fonteno and Krakoski won the 400 free relay. In addition, Dantin added her second career SEC title with a win in the 1-meter diving event. The Tigers finished fourth at the SEC meet. The Auburn men earned their 20th consecutive national top-10 finish, scoring 254.5 points to take sixth place at the NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Wash. Auburn earned 34 AllAmerica honors and saw three school records fall during the meet. Sophomore Zane Grothe set new Auburn records in the 500 freestyle (4:15.42), 1000 freestyle (8:52.58) and 1650 freestyle (14:37.59), earning fourth-place finishes in the 500 and the mile, the best-ever by an Auburn swimmer in those events. Fellow sophomore Marcelo Chierighini was the runner-up in the 100 freestyle in 42.34, and he led the 400-free relay team to a second-place tie in 2:50.34. Junior Kyle Owens was the high point scorer for Auburn, finishing fourth in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 200 IM. It was another SEC title for the Auburn men as the Tigers scored 730.5 points to outpace runner-up Florida by 30 points in Knoxville, Tenn. Auburn won all five relay events, the first time to accomplish that feat since 2009, and the Tigers captured three individual titles as well. Owens was part of four of the winning relay squads and took individual gold in the 100 and 200 backstroke. He also finished second in the 200 IM and was the runner-up for the Commissioner’s Trophy with 57 individual points. Chierighini earned his first career SEC title in the 100 freestyle as well, and Grothe earned a runner-up finish in the mile. Green Out [green-out, greenout] noun 1. Meteorology a. a condition found primarily in Southern regions, in which the uniform colorization that’s consistent with summertime illumination on the ground makes the golf course conditions indistinguishable from warmer-weather landscapes. Project Rebound Available 24/7 Phone counseling, free and confidential Call to arrange classroom presentations for your school Actual comments from Pratt City first-graders asked how they feel about stormy weather: Child 1: “When it thunders, I get really really really scared and I start following my mommy.” Reporter: “Are you talking to people about this?” Child 2: Shakes head no. Reporter: “Why not?” Child 2: “Because it makes me sad.” T – Taken from a WBRC Fox News 6 segment about Project Rebound visiting schools in affected areas. “We’re all in this together”– Coaches Nick Saban & Gene Chizik 1-800-639-REBOUND The rubble may have been cleared away, but the feelings still linger. If you need help dealing with the grief and the recovery process, our counselors are here to listen, offer emotional support and point you to resources for your specific needs. Visit us on the web @ projectrebound.org Like us on Facebook @facebook.com/projectrebound Offense Wins out in Annual A-Day Game T By Auburn Media Relations T he Auburn Offense (Blue) defeated the Auburn Defense (White) in the annual A-Day Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 14, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The final score was 36-27, using a scoring system that awarded points for scoring as well as defensive plays. “I think we got some things accomplished in terms of what we set out to do in the beginning (of spring practice),” Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said. “Offensively, we just wanted to play sound football. Protect the football all day, which we did. We didn’t leave any balls on the ground. I don’t believe we had any turnovers to the best of my recollection. Defensively, we wanted to be able to get out on third downs and stop the run, try to play physical on defense. “I think this is going to be good film that we can study and go back, look at, evaluate and learn from. I want to say we really appreciate the crowd out there. It was an awesome crowd. They had a great reason to be here with the three Heisman Trophy winners and also to see our football team perform. We appreciate the Auburn fans coming out.” Quarterback Kiehl Frazier received the Lionel James Offensive MVP Award for the game. Frazier went 7-of-9 for 92 yards and had five carries for 10 yards. “I thought we did pretty well,” Frazier said. “I think we took a step forward from the first day of spring. I feel like I have progressed 1,000 percent. I feel a lot more comfortable, and I have caught up to the speed of the game. Hopefully that will show on the film.” The Mark Dorminey Defensive MVP Award went to defensive end Dee Ford. Ford finished the day with four tackles and a sack, including two tackles for loss totaling six yards. “Everybody did a good job,” Ford said. “We just had to put everything into the right place with having new coordinators. All in all, we did a good job. I don’t feel like I deserve (the MVP award), I think I just did what I was supposed to do. I owe it all to my teammates. Anything I do is because of them and my defensive coaches.” Offensive Statistics Rushing Mike Blakely Corey Grant Tre Mason Kiehl Frazier Patrick Lymon Johnny Lockett Chandler Shakespeare Chico Canady Onterio McCalebb Zeke Pike Tate O’Connor Trovon Reed Clint Moseley Totals No 5 7 2 5 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 1 2 38 Passing Zeke Pike Kiehl Frazier Clint Moseley Tate O’Connor Totals Cmp-Att-IntYds 5-11-0 7-9-0 5-6-0 0-1-0 17-27-0 Receiving Emory Blake Trovon Reed Sammie Coates Jaylon Denson Dimitri Reese Mike Blakely Travante Stallworth Deangelo Benton David West Brandon Fulse Corey Grant Totals No. 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17 Yds TDLong 510 25 430 20 290 15 110 7 280 28 110 11 9 09 7 07 6 06 5 05 2 02 2020 28 Punting Steven Clark Totals No. 3 3 Yds Avg Long In20TB 119 39.746 0 2 119 39.746 0 2 Defensive Statistics ## Player Solo 24 Ryan Smith 4 1A LaDarious Owens 4 95 Dee Ford 3 19 Ryan White 2 46 Blake Poole 3 27 Robenson Therezie 3 6 Jonathan Mincy 3 33 Chris Landrum 3 31 Trent Fisher 1 5 Jake Holland . 25 Daren Bates 2 28 Jonathan Rose 2 42 Chandler Shakespeare2 98 Angelo Blackson 1 17 Kris Frost 1 11 Chris Davis . 1R Jacob Westrich 1 41 Adam Dyas 1 32 Jermaine Whitehead1 93 Jabrian Niles 1 37 Nosa Griggs 1 54 Jeffrey Whitaker 1 45 Keymiya Harrell 1 99 Brian Walsh 1 47 Jordan Spriggs . GainLossNet TD Lg Avg 65 0 65 1 2713.0 230 23 1 73.3 16 0 16 0 128.0 21 1110 0 9 2.0 9 1 8 0 62.7 6 0 6 0 4 2.0 3 1 2 0 31.0 0 0 0 0 00.0 1 1 0 0 10.0 8 8 0 0 80.0 0 4 -4 0 0-4.0 0 9 -9 0 0-9.0 0 22-220 0 -11.0 15257 95 2 272.5 TD Long Sack 48 0 28 1 92 0 25 2 62 0 20 2 0 0 0 0 202 0 285 Ast Tot TFL/Yds 3 7. . 4 2.0/22 1 42.0/6 2 4. . 3. . 31.0/1 . 3 . . 3. 2 3. 3 3. . 21.0/7 . 21.0/1 . 2 . 1 2. 1 2. 2 2. . 1. . 1. . 1. . 11.0/1 . 1. . 1. . 11.0/6 . 11.0/4 . . . FF FR-Yd .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Offensively, we just wanted to play sound football. Protect the football all day, which we did. Defensively, we wanted to be able to get out on third downs and stop the run, try to play physical on defense. Head Coach Gene Chizik Intc BrUp BlkdSack/YdsQH . . . . . . . . 2.0/22 . . . . 1.0/4 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0/7 . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0/6 . . . . . . . 1 . . . Spring 2012 49 Stability in Shore Pays off M for Auburn Tennis M en’s tennis coach Eric Shore has led the Auburn men’s tennis program since 1991, which makes him the longest-tenured coach in the Auburn Athletics Department and sixth-longest men’s tennis coach in the Southeastern Conference. That stability has allowed the Tigers to become a program consistently in the nation’s top 20. Shore has led the Tigers to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances in 19 years, including a berth to 2012 NCAA’s. In the 18 years Auburn has made the postseason, Shore’s squads have advanced to the Sweet 16 three times and made the Elite Eight twice. Shore has taken the Auburn tennis program to an elite level. Under his tutelage, Auburn produced the 2002 NCAA Doubles Champions in Mark Kovacs and Andrew Colombo. Eleven of his players have earned 20 All-America honors and been recognized as All-SEC selections 29 times. In his 22nd season as the Tigers’ head coach, Shore already had the most wins of any Auburn men’s tennis coach entering the 2011-12 season. But on March 16 in a 7-0 victory over Central Florida, Shore earned his 300th career win. Always focused on his team and the season at hand, he credited his players for the milestone victory. “It feels nice to get the win,” Shore said. “I was a little worried because the match against UCF was sandwiched between a couple of conference matches, and it was on the road during Spring Break. It would have been really easy for the guys to lose focus and relax in that match, but they came out strong and took care of business.” Auburn finished the 2012 regular season ranked 17th in the nation with a 17-9 overall record, narrowly missing a host bid for the first round of the Tournament. The Tigers will travel to Champaign, Ill., and take on Drake in the first round. Host Illinois will play Western Michigan. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get the chance to host because we felt like we earned the right, but overall we are certainly excited to make the tournament and looking forward to the challenge,” Shore said. “You can never take a trip to NCAA’s for granted because it’s never easy getting there.” While Shore has made the Tigers a mainstay in NCAA Tournament play, he has also kept the new accolades and accomplishments coming. This season, Auburn made its first appearance in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. “It’s a prestigious tournament, but it’s not the only time we have made the elite field of teams,” Shore said. “It was great to have our program get that recognition, but our goal is to focus on what we do at the end of the season in NCAA’s.” With another berth in the NCAA’s and a chance to continue the success his program has established, Shore is appreciative of the opportunities and support he has had at Auburn. “I’ve been very fortunate to have some good players and some good assistants, and I have a good associate head coach now,” Shore said. “I didn’t think I’d see 300 when I got to 200. Every SEC win is tough; they are hard to come by. But I’ve been lucky to have good people around me.” Spring 2012 51 A T H L E T I C S 2012 Football Schedule DateOpponent 09/01/12 vs. Clemson 09/08/12 at Mississippi State 09/15/12ULM 09/22/12LSU 10/06/12Arkansas 10/13/12 at Ole Miss 10/20/12 at Vanderbilt 10/27/12 Texas A&M 11/03/12 New Mexico State (HC) 11/10/12Georgia 11/17/12 Alabama A&M 11/24/12 at Alabama S C H E D U L E S Location Atlanta, Ga. Starkville, Miss. Auburn Auburn Auburn Oxford, Miss. Nashville, Tenn. Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn Tuscaloosa, Ala. Olympic Trials Schedule Time TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials | June 25-July 2 | Omaha, Neb. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. CDT; Finals session begins at 6:45 p.m. CDT Monday, June 25 – Men’s 400 IM (final), Women’s 100 Fly (semifinals), Men’s 400 Free (final), Women’s 400 IM (final), Men’s 100 Breast (semifinals) Tuesday, June 26 – Women’s 100 Fly (final), Men’s 200 Free (semifinals), Women’s 100 Breast (semifinals), Men’s 100 Breast (final), Women’s 400 Free (final), Men’s 100 Back (semifinals), Women’s 100 Back (semifinals) Wednesday, June 27 – Women’s 200 Free (semifinals), Men’s 200 Free (final), Women’s 100 Back (final), Men’s 100 Back (final), Women’s 100 Breast (final), Men’s 200 Fly (semifinals), Women’s 200 IM (semifinals) 2012 Soccer Schedule DateOpponent Location Time 08/17/12 Georgia State Auburn 7 p.m. 08/19/12 High Point Auburn 7 p.m. 08/24/12 at Pepperdine Malibu, Calif. TBA 08/26/12 at UC Irvine Irvine, Calif. TBA 08/31/12 SamfordAuburn 7 p.m 09/02/12 William & Mary Auburn 2 p.m 09/08/12 Texas Tech Auburn 7 p.m. 09/14/12 MissouriAuburnTBA 09/16/12 FloridaAuburnTBA 09/21/12 at LSU Baton Rouge, La. TBA 09/23/12 at Texas A&M College Station, Texas 09/28/12 South Carolina Auburn TBA 09/30/12 Ole Miss Auburn TBA 10/05/12 Mississippi State Auburn TBA 10/07/12Tennessee Auburn TBA 10/12/12 at Georgia Athens, Ga. TBA 10/14/12 at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. TBA 10/19/12 at Vanderbilt Nashville, Tenn. TBA 10/21/12 at Kentucky Lexington, Ky. TBA 10/26/12Alabama Auburn TBA 10/29-11/04/12SEC Tournament Orange Beach, Ala. TBA 2012 Volleyball Schedule Thursday, June 28 – Men’s 100 Free (semifinals), Women’s 200 Free (final), Men’s 200 Fly (final), Women’s 200 Fly (semifinals), Men’s 200 Breast (semifinals), Women’s 200 IM (final) Friday, June 29 – Men’s 200 Breast (final), Women’s 100 Free (semifinals), Men’s 200 Back (semifinals), Women’s 200 Fly (final), Men’s 100 Free (final), Women’s 200 Breast (semifinals), Men’s 200 IM (semifinals) Saturday, June 30 – Men’s 50 Free (semifinals), Women’s 200 Breast (final), Men’s 200 Back (final), Women’s 200 Back (semifinals), Men’s 200 IM (final), Women’s 100 Free (final), Men’s 100 Fly (semifinals) TBA Date Opponent/TournamentLocation Time GREEN BAY TOURNAMENT 08/24/12 vs. Central Michigan Green Bay, Wis. 4:30 p.m. 08/25/12 vs. Drake Green Bay, Wis. 10 a.m. at Green Bay Green Bay, Wis. 7 p.m. 08/28/12 at Troy Troy, Ala. 7 p.m. AUBURN INVITATIONAL 08/31/12 Jacksonville State vs. High Point AUBURN 10 a.m. Auburn vs. Ga. Southern AUBURN 12:30 p.m. Jacksonville State vs. Ga. SouthernAUBURN 4:30 p.m. Auburn vs. High Point AUBURN 7 p.m. 09/01/12 Ga. Southern vs. High Point AUBURN 11 a.m. Auburn vs. Jacksonville State AUBURN 1:30 p.m. SMU TOURNAMENT at SMU Dallas, Texas TBA 09/07/12 09/08/12 vs. Texas State Dallas, Texas TBA vs. Wichita State Dallas, Texas TBA 09/13/12 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss. 7 p.m. 09/15/12 at Texas A&M College Station, Texas1:30 p.m. 09/21/12 SOUTH CAROLINA AUBURN 7 p.m. 09/23/12 ALABAMA AUBURN 1:30 p.m. 09/28/12 Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. 7 p.m. 09/30/12 Kentucky Lexington, Ky. 12:30 p.m. 10/05/12 MISSISSIPPI STATE AUBURN 7 p.m. 10/12/12 Georgia Athens, Ga. 6 p.m. 10/14/12 Florida Gainesville, Fla. 12:30 p.m. 10/19/12 LSU AUBURN 7 p.m. 10/21/12 MISSOURI AUBURN 1:30 p.m. 10/26/12 South Carolina Columbia, S.C. 6 p.m. 10/28/12 Ole Miss Oxford, Miss. 1:30 p.m. 11/02/12 11/04/12 11/09/12 11/16/12 11/18/12 11/21/12 11/23/12 52 ARKANSAS GEORGIA TEXAS A&M Tennessee Alabama FLORIDA KENTUCKY Tiger Roar AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN Knoxville, Tenn. Tuscaloosa, Ala. AUBURN AUBURN 7 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Sunday July 1 – Women’s 200 Back (final), Men’s 100 Fly (final), Women’s 800 Free (final), Men’s 50 Free (final), Women’s 50 Free (semifinals) Monday, July 2 – Women’s 50 Free (final), Men’s 1500 Free (final) U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials | June 21-July 1 | Eugene, Ore. (events listed entered by Auburn Olympic hopefuls / all times CDT) Thursday, June 21 – 5 p.m. Men’s Hammer (trials), 7 p.m. Men’s Hammer (final) Friday, June 22 – 5:35 p.m. Women’s 400m (qualifying) Saturday, June 23 – 5 p.m. Men’s Shot Put (qualifying), 6 p.m. Men’s 100m (qualifying), 6:20 p.m. Men’s High Jump (qualifying), 7:15 p.m. Women’s 400m (semifinals) Sunday, June 24 – 4:30 p.m. Men’s 100m (semifinals), 5:30 p.m. Men’s Shot Put (final), 6:48 p.m. Men’s 100m (final) Monday, June 25 – 5:30 p.m. Men’s Discus (qualifying), 7:50 p.m. Men’s High Jump (final) Thursday, June 28 – 7 p.m. Women’s High Jump (qualifying), 7:30 p.m. Women’s 400m Hurdles (qualifying), 8 p.m. Men’s 400m Hurdles (qualifying), 8:05 p.m. Men’s Discus (final), 8:45 p.m. Women’s 200m (qualifying) Friday, June 29 – 3:45 p.m. Men’s 200m (qualifying), 5:35 p.m. Men’s 400m Hurdles (semifinals), 5:20 p.m. Women’s 400m Hurdles (semifinals), 6:05 p.m. Men’s 110m Hurdles (qualifying) Saturday, June 30 – 6:20 p.m. Men’s 110m Hurdles (semifinals), 7 p.m. Women’s High Jump (final), 8 p.m. Men’s 200m (semifinals), 8:40 p.m. Men’s 110m Hurdles (final), 8:50 p.m. Women’s 200m (final) Sunday, July 1 – 6:02 p.m. Women’s 400m Hurdles (final), 6:12 p.m. Men’s 400m Hurdles (final), 6:50 p.m. Men’s 200m (final) International Swimming Olympic Trials RBC Bahamas National Swimming Championships | June 14-17 | Nassau Brazil Olympic Swimming Trials | May 9-12 | Rio de Janeiro International Track (Athletics) Olympic Trials Bahamas | June 22 Trinidad | June 22 Jamaica | June 29 Men’s Golf R u n n e r s - Up SEC Championships T Blayne Barber Dominic Bozzelli T he men’s golf team registered a secondplace finish at the Southeastern Conference Tournament and capped that by placing a program-record five members on the All-SEC Team as the Tigers look towards NCAA Tournament play. Auburn head coach Nick Clinard noted the Tigers were in place to claim the SEC Tournament Championship on the final day of play, but were unable to overcome the one-shot deficit down the stretch. “We missed a few putts, but we got to within one shot with five holes to play,” Clinard said. “I think the story of the week for us was we just couldn’t close. We pressed too much. Our short game wasn’t as good as it needed to be. We have to make more putts to win championships.” Although the Tigers were disappointed with a second-place finish, Clinard beamed at the recognition the Tigers earned by placing a program-record five players on the All-SEC Team. “It is a great honor to have five players named All-SEC,” Clinard said. “They are all very deserving, and have worked extremely hard on their games throughout the year. I am proud of them and how they represent Auburn in the classroom and on the course on a daily basis.” Blayne Barber earned first-team honors, while Will McCurdy, Dominic Bozzelli and at Niclas Carlsson each earned second-team honors. Michael Johnson was named to the AllFreshman Team. The five broke the previous record of four set by the 2005 Tigers. A Ben Hogan Award semifinalist, Barber was named to the first-team for the second consecutive year after leading the conference in scoring average at 70.66. Barber became just the the third Tiger to earn first-team honors in back-to-back years and the first since Jimmy Green was selected in 1991-92. Barber has placed in the top-5 six times this season including second-place finishes at the E-ZGO Schenkel Invitational and Hootie at Bulls Bay. McCurdy, Bozzelli and Carlsson were named to the second-team as McCurdy ranked second on the team in scoring average at 72.00, and finished in the top-10 three times this season. The Fort Payne, Ala., native finished in fourth-place in Auburn’s team win at the Hootie at Bulls Bay. Earlier this season, Bozzelli became the first Auburn golfer to win back-to-back tournaments after winning medalist honors at the U.S. Collegiate and Gator Invitational. Bozzelli has finished in the top-10 three times this year and third on the team in scoring at 72.04. Carlsson, who earned All-Freshman honors last season, came back strong this season claiming medalist honors at the Hootie at Bulls Bay. Carlsson is fourth on the team in scoring average at 72.26 has and three top-10 finishes on the season. Johnson was named to the All-Freshman team after finishing in the top-20 five times this season. The Birmingham, Ala., native finished tied for third at the U.S. Collegiate after carding a 4-under 212. The Tigers are ranked third in the nation in Golf World/NIKE Golf Coaches’ Poll and fourth in the Golf Week top 25. Auburn is expecting the program’s 20th trip to NCAA Regional play, which runs May 17-19. The NCAA Championship will be held at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and will run May 29 to June 3. Head coach Nick Clinard and assistant coach Evan Osteen Spring 2012 53 LEGENDARY TA I L G AT E S N E W S Mosley Drafted by Super Bowl Champs Auburn offensive tackle Brandon Mosley was selected in the fourth round by the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in the 2012 National Football League Draft. Mosley was the 131st overall selection of the draft and the first Tiger drafted by the Giants since Reggie Torbor in 2004. A 6-6, 310-pound native of Jefferson, Ga., Mosley was named a coaches’ second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a senior. Mosely was a two-year letter winner at Auburn after starting his collegiate career at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. “It’s a dream come true (to be drafted),” Mosley said. “Everything I dreamed about as a kid was to play in the NFL. It was a long journey and process during my playing career, but it was well worth it. I’m very fortunate to have had great coaches and teammates at Auburn and Coffeyville. Both places did a great job of preparing me for the next step in my playing career. I wouldn’t have changed anything along the way.” With Mosley’s selection, Auburn has had at least one offensive lineman drafted in six of the last seven years. Other Tiger lineman drafted since 2006 include Marcus McNeill (2006), Ben Grubbs(2007), King Dunlap (2008), Tyronne Green (2009) and Lee Ziemba(2011). Men’s Tennis Qualifies for 13th Straight NCAA Tournament The Auburn Tigers will travel to Champaign, Ill., for the first and second rounds of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament, where they will face the Drake Bulldogs in the tournament’s opening match. The opening two rounds are scheduled for May 11-13. This is Auburn’s 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid and 18th in the last 19 years under Shore. Auburn (17-9) barely missed out on a host spot as it came in ranked 17th in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranking. The Tigers will be the top No. 2 seed in the tournament with host Illinois seeded 16th nationally. Illinois faces Western Michigan in the other match of the opening round. Three conference champions will be competing in the Champaign regional. Drake (24-2) is the Missouri Valley Conference champion, winning the title with a 4-1 win over Wichita State on Sunday to earn their sixth NCAA Tournament berth and fourth in the last six years. The Bulldogs’ 24 wins tied a school record. Fourth-ranked Women’s Golf Earns Bid to NCAA Regionals The No. 4 Auburn women’s golf team received a bid to the NCAA Central Regional Championship, which will be held May 10-12 at The Ohio State University Golf Club - Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio. The Tigers are one of 72 teams that were selected to the NCAA Regional field with 24 competing at each site. Auburn enters the Central Regional as the No. 2 seed, following top-seed Southern California. The Tigers are one of seven SEC teams in the field, joining Georgia, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Kentucky. In all, 11 of the 12 SEC teams made the NCAA Regional field with Alabama, Florida and South Carolina in the East, and LSU in the West. We want to hear from you… You are important to Tigers Unlimited. Please mail or email any comments and/or suggestions you may have to: Tigers Unlimited P.O. Box 351 Auburn, AL 36831 TUF@auburn.edu A N D N O T E S The Tigers are one of nine teams in the field ranked in the Golfweek Magazine top-25. Others are: No. 1 Southern California, No. 10 Georgia, No. 12 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 19 Ohio State, No. 22 Oregon, No. 24 North Carolina State and No. 25 Florida State. The Tigers have competed in 18 NCAA Regional Tournaments and have finished in the top eight, earning a NCAA Championship bid, in 13 of the 18 appearances. Softball Heads to SEC Tournament The Auburn softball team clinched its fifth consecutive berth in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, set for May 10-12 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. “Making the SEC Tournament for a fifth-straight year was one of our team goals going into the season,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “Our team has overcome some injuries and obstacles, as most every team has to do, and achieved one of our goals. I’m very happy for the players, especially our seniors. They have worked very hard to this point, but we know there is still a lot of work ahead of us.” Auburn will make its 13th appearance in the SEC Tournament since the program’s inception in 1997. Last season, the Tigers advanced to the semifinals after defeating No. 3 Florida in the first round. Auburn lost to No. 7 Tennessee in the semifinals, 2-1. Dufner Captures First PGA Tour Victory Former Auburn golfer Jason Dufner captured his first PGA Tour victory after defeating Ernie Els on the second playoff hole at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana. Dufner becomes the first Auburn golfer to win a PGA Tour event since John Huston won the Southern Farm Bureau Classic in 2003. After Els and Dufner carded pars on the first playoff hole, they went back to the 18th tee where Dufner was able to reach the green in two strokes. Dufner then secured his victory after tapping home a short birdie putt. After starting the day with five pars, Dufner bogeyed on No. 6, but was able to rebound with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 to close out the front nine at 1-under. On the back nine, Dufner fired a birdie on No. 10. On No. 16, Dufner drove into the water, but was able to save par by sinking a 44-foot putt. Tiger Trek Schedule Head football coach Gene Chizik has hit the road for the Auburn Alumni Association’s Tiger Trek, taking part in nine club events between April and July (the Atlanta, Montgomery, Eufaula, Huntsville and Shoals Area Club outings took place before printing of this issue of Tiger Roar). Baldwin County Auburn Club Monday, May 14 Orange Beach Convention Center // Orange Beach, AL Emerald Coast Auburn Club Tuesday, May 15 Emerald Coast Convention Center // Ft. Walton Beach, FL Cullman County Auburn Club Thursday, May 24 McGukin Civic Center // Cullman, AL Greater Birmingham Auburn Club Wednesday, July 18 Cahaba Grand Conference Center // Birmingham, AL Spring 2012 55 Tigers Unlimited P. O . B o x 3 5 1 A ubu r n , A L 3 6 8 3 1 PRESRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit #335 Montgomery, AL