Featured Front Page II

Football Stadium Gets Huge Upgrade

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on April 5, 2007)

              Fresh off a $30 million renovation, Jordan-Hare Stadium will have a noticeable difference this season too. In an effort to make everyone’s favorite past time in the fall even better, the Athletics Department will pay Daktronics almost $3 million to install the first true high definition video display in the Southeastern Conference. The second NCAA institution to invest in such a behemoth thing. The Texas Longhorns were the first to do so.

            The South Dakota based company Daktronics, leads the video display market. They have installed video boards, shot clocks and scoreboards all over the country, leaving their mark on Times Square too. Auburn teamed up with them last season to add the two long ProAd® displays on the upper decks. Additional sections will be added to make each of the displays approximately 250 feet each. Other improvements last season included an 18 x 60 scoreboard behind the north end zone, new play clocks, and locker room clocks.

            The video display will be approximately 30-feet high and 74-feet wide, taking full advantage of the latest technology available. It incorporates the absolute best resolution for such a large screen and incredibly wide viewing angles. The screen itself exceeds 2,200 sq. feet, and is populated by over one million individual light emitting diodes (LED’s).

            “We are extremely excited to make this significant enhancement to Jordan-Hare Stadium as a sign of our commitment to the fans, student-athletes, alumni, sponsors and everyone else who enjoys and supports the great tradition of Auburn football,” Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said in a press release. “We wanted to invest in high definition video technology because of the incredible detail of the imagery and the flexibility this technology provides. We are excited to be working with Daktronics because of their extensive experience and proven success with their products for top level collegiate and professional sports venues.”

            There are almost unlimited possibilities for this new video display. Not only will it have the capability to show a single image in spectacular high definition quality, but it can be split into multiple windows to show any kind of statistic, highlight or animation. The high-density pixel layout, improved contrast levels and enhanced angles will be unrivaled by any other stadium in the conference.

            The University of Texas in Austin contacted Daktronics last year after winning the National Championship. When it was all said and done, the Longhorns had paid over $8 million to install the largest full screen video board in the world. It is an astounding 55-feet tall and 134-feet high. The 7,370 square-foot display has been nicknamed the "Godzillatron."

            It probably won’t be long before more schools follow suit, but Auburn can still say they were one of the first to do something like this. The season kicks off on Sept. 1 at home against the Kansas State Wildcats of the Big 12. This screen has to be seen to be believed.

 

Somewhat Humorous Column

These New Ads Have Got To Go! 

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on October 12, 2006)

        What’s your War Eagle Moment? I’m sure we’ve all seen them before. I only know of two of these commercials so far, but I just can’t take them anymore. The first one is set in an airport. A man wearing an AU shirt is apparently stressed out about missing a flight. Another man, wearing a suit and pin sees this forlorn stranger and instinctively says “War Eagle” to him. This brightens his day, and suddenly he seems unconcerned whether he misses his flight or not.

            The other setting is Yellowstone National Park with cheesy music in the background. Everyone has black and boring umbrellas as they watch the Old Faithful geyser do its reliable thing. There is one family using their trusty Auburn umbrella however. Out of nowhere, another family with their own orange and blue umbrella sees a familiar emblem and sets out to meet the kindred spirits. “War Eagle, y’all,” they say as the other family perks up saying, “Hey! War Eagle,” back.

            The first time I saw them, I thought they were strictly local. I wouldn’t have minded them if they had been, but someone decided they were going to be our recruitment commercials for nationally televised games. While other schools tell everyone how statistically great they are, we tell the country that all we have is a cool battle cry or catch phrase.

            Now I’ll admit that I’ve had my own moments far from campus. If I didn’t I attend this school though, I would have no idea what it in the world it meant. Most probably end up thinking that it's some kind of inside joke. We are inadvertently demeaning ourselves in my mind. These ads aren’t professional enough, and probably don’t make much sense to outsiders.

            There is plenty to be proud about at Auburn. The U.S. News & Report ranks it as one of the top fifty public institutions in America and the best in the state. It's been rated one of the “best values” in America by the Princeton Review. Auburn’s twelve colleges and schools have earned outstanding distinction and recognition.

            A lot of colleges are making commercials about how they are contributing to the future and why they matter in the whole scheme of things. Sponsored research totals $100 million annually here. Auburn is one of six universities selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide experts for a think tank. Among other things, it is one of the leaders in researching how to provide a reliable fuel source to replace expensive gas.

            I just don’t see why we advertise ourselves in such a way, is it out laziness? There are so many other commercials they could make. The game against Florida will be a Saturday night event, the entire nation will be watching. I don't think I'm the only one who hopes a new commercial is made soon. 

First Published Column

The NFL vs. NCAA 

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on September 7, 2007)

           The National Football League started its season last weekend to the delight of millions of Americans. As I tried to watch a few games, I actually found myself getting bored. As my mind started to wander, I started to contemplate what exactly the point of professional football is. I wondered how could it be so boring, while ranked college games could be so captivating. Then it came to me, the question I should be asking is what are professionals actually playing for?

            A typical NFL player signs a multi-million dollar contract every few years. After the contract expires, the player is free to entertain offers from other teams, hence the term 'free agent'. That means all a typical professional seems to be interested in is money. That’s why they all hire agents to help them get more out of their contracts. With free agency, there is no such thing as loyalty. Without it, there is no way rivalry can truly survive. Without that, winning has to seem hollow and pointless at times.

            College football isn’t perfect by any means, but competition takes on a whole new meaning. So much more emotion and love for the game is apparent. It has more of a genuine quality to it that is almost nostalgic.

            Now I know I may be biased, but I haven’t always been this way. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to watch football. Growing up near DC, I was a fan of the Washington Redskins. Saturdays weren’t as important to me as Sundays were. There just wasn’t a school that I particularly cared for. I would watch some of the local schools like Maryland and Virginia Tech from time to time. I even tried to care about Mississippi State to appease my father, but I didn’t feel a real connection to any of those schools.

            That all started to change as I was starting my senior year of high school, when I started watching SEC football more. The Auburn Tigers in particular because I had just applied. They were well on their way to perfect season, and I could sense the passion and excitement from afar. Upon visiting the campus, I was hooked. There was so much pride and tradition, which was vastly different from the corporate culture I had grown accustomed to at Redskins games.

            It’s no secret that America loves its own brand of football more than any other sport. The deciding factor on what level of football you enjoy most probably has to do with the geographic region you live in. For example, Alabama has no professional football team so college football is king. With two storied programs like Auburn and Alabama, there really is no need for a professional team anyway.

            It’s all a matter of personal preference, but I don’t see how anyone can enjoy a professional game more than a college game once they experience it for themselves. The excitement and camaraderie that surrounds college football games is like nothing else. The players almost seem to share the same kind of passion and enthusiasm the fans do, you don't see that in professional football as often.

Season Preview (Special Edition Issue)

            Auburn Football: Season Preview 

*written specifically for freshmen orientation*

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on May 17, 2007) 

             How does a team reload after losing a senior class with the best winning percentage ever in school history? It recruits some of the best high school seniors each year, but only signing the reputable players that resemble their predecessors. This will be no easy task after a school record was set for forty-one victories over a four year span.

            Last season didn’t live up to expectations, but it was one to remember nevertheless. Auburn was the only team to beat both Florida and LSU during the regular season, who would eventually become the National Champions and Sugar Bowl Champions respectively. The blocked punt against the Gators was voted the Pontiac Game Changing Play of the Year. The Tigers would also go on to win its fifth straight Iron Bowl too, sending Alabama into a humorous tailspin. With a 10-2 record, Auburn was invited to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Nebraska proved to be a formidable opponent, but the “good guys” won 17-14.

            This season starts against the Kansas State Wildcats on September 1. The home schedule features big games against conference opponents. Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama will all make the trip to the Plains. The Jordan-Hare experience should be much improved this season with the addition of the first true high definition video display board in the SEC. The screen is 30 by 74 feet, and exceeds 2,200 square feet.

            The Tigers have to make four trips into enemy territory to keep their BCS Bowl bid alive. There’s a big rematch against Florida, and back to back away games against Arkansas and LSU. The road schedule concludes against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Iron Bowl is two weeks later, occurring the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the first time ever.

            Before the season starts, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Who will be the starting running back? Juniors Brad Lester and Tristan Davis, sophomore Ben Tate and redshirt freshman Mario Fannin are all vying for the job. Senior fullback Carl Stewart could see more carries as well. This competition should be fierce with all the talent, speed and strength these players possess.

            The offense as a whole should be much improved this year. Senior quarterback Brandon Cox is healthy and has two years of experience as a starter. “There is always room for improvement but if Brandon stays healthy, he will be one of the better quarterbacks in the country,” head coach Tommy Tuberville said.

            The receivers also have a lot of potential, but haven’t proven themselves to be reliable yet. Senior Prechae Rodriguez and junior Rod Smith should stand out over the course of the season.“We have a lot of young guys this year who are inexperienced,” Smith said. “Once they learn the playbook better and get more action on the field, we will have an offense to be reckoned with.”   

            Cox has to get rid of the ball quickly with such an inexperienced offensive line. Senior Cole Bennett and sophomores Gabe McKenzie and Tommy Trott can help block and provide a target for Cox to throw to. Some consider them to be one of the best groups of tight ends in the conference.

            The defensive side of the ball should be just as strong as it has been in past. Defensive end Quentin Groves will return for his senior season. This is a good sign for defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who needs all the aggressive and experienced playmakers he can get.

            If the spring practices and scrimmages are any indication of how the defense will perform when it counts, there won’t be much to worry about. The defensive line, linebackers, and secondary are a talented bunch, eager to learn from their coaches and each other. 

           Watch out for defensive linemen like redshirt freshmen Mike Blanc, junior Octavious Balkcom and senior Josh Thompson among others to stand out. Linebackers like juniors Chris Evans and Steve Gandy, sophomore Patrick Trahan and redshirt freshman Craig Stevens should fill in nicely for the departed starters. The secondary will be almost the same as it was last season. Defensive backs like sophomores Jerraud Powers, Aairon Savage and Walter McFadden and seniors like Jonathan Wilhite, Eric Brock and Zac Etheridge will use their talent and experience to shut down receivers.

            This should be another great season for the Auburn Tigers. Make sure you get your mini-season ticket packages as soon as you’re able to. If you’re not able to, don’t panic. There are always going to be other students who are willing to sell theirs. Whether it’s on Facebook or on the bulletin boards you’ll find a ticket to any game. Big games may mean more money than you’re willing to spend though. Most games will be televised, so instead of cramming into the student section, you can just watch the game from the comfort of your dorm, apartment or even an RV. Hope you enjoy the season, it should be one to remember fondly.

Controversial Column

What Really Grinds My Gears

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on June 15, 2007)

-dozens of encouraging comments and negative rebuttals followed publication-

        Since I’ve been at Auburn, I have developed a pet peeve that I can’t help venting about every once in awhile... delusional Alabama fans. I’m not from Alabama, so I’ve only been bothered by this for a few years. I haven’t learned how to ignore some of the ignorant and offensive comments that Tide fans come up with. No one is going to turn the other cheek in such a heated rivalry. It becomes a vicious cycle of retaliation when you get into an argument with one. It’s hard not to be a hypocrite, but they hardly ever have a logical argument to make in the first place.

            Most of their fans live in the past, understandably so since their record over the last decade is 67-55 with six different coaches coming and going. The coaching circus in Tuscaloosa has been one of the most humorous and sorest subjects in this state's sports.

            Dennis Franchione couldn’t stand Tuscaloosa for more than two seasons, and Mike Price didn’t get a chance to coach a single game after some inappropriate behavior in Florida. That kind of embarrassment inspired the athletic department to make the rash decision of hiring Mike Shula. Four years later, athletic director Mal Moore said on the record that Shula was never qualified for the job in the first place.  

            Now they think they’ve solved all of their problems by giving Nick Saban one of the richest contracts in NCAA history. Saban may have done a good job in Baton Rouge, but LSU had to share that champtionship in 2003 with the USC Trojans. Who knows what would've happened if they had actually played each other. Saban left a lot of Dolphin fans angry in Miami, and he will be expected to turn around one of the worst programs in the SEC around in a couple of years.
          No matter how much Alabama embarrasses itself every year, they justify it by bringing up the glory years. Not only were the most vocal fans not even alive to see this success for themselves, they have no connection to the school whatsoever. They like to brag about their twelve championships, but multiple were awarded retro-actively. Meaning the trophy was given to them years after the season took place.

            What really grinds my gears is their inability to admit defeat. No matter how many times the Tigers win, their fans retain this sickening pride. It may just be how insecure they’ve become, but they seem to treat losses like a bad dream.            

            Auburn has won five consecutive Iron Bowls, but their fan base act like every one has just been a fluke. Despite having higher admission standards, our university is dismissed as a lowly cow college for illiterate in-breeders with no where else to go.This couldn't be farther from the truth.

This is just another example of how classless they can be. At the end of an exciting Iron Bowl last season, the students section threw their trash at Auburn players. A full bottle of water hit former cornerback David Irons in the eye. While Irons could’ve lost his sight, the student section erupted in cheering and laughter.

            It’s been said that Auburn is the adopted red-headed step child of the state. No matter how many times Auburn proves itself to be better, it gets no respect. When Auburn finally does win its first unanimous national championship, Alabama will probably create t-shirts with “Got 12?” on the front.

            In what is considered one of the best rivalries in college sports, both schools are equal in almost every way. Auburn has proven itself to be better in some ways over the years. The coaching staff and players are aware of this, now if only their fans could admit defeat every once in awhile. That would be nice.

 

Featured Front Page Story

Auburn Athletic Complex

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on October 19, 2006)

          The Auburn Athletic Complex was built almost twenty years ago on the corner of Samford Ave. and Donahue Dr. It has been the center of operations for Auburn football and ever since.

            Most of the 88,000 square foot building is closed to the public, but there are parts that anyone can see any time of the week. The Athletic Museum & Hall of Honor was named after Jonathan Bell Lovelace, a famous Auburn graduate from the early 1900’s.

            Lovelace organized Capital Research and Management Company in 1931. He prospered during the Great Depression while his company went on to become one of the world’s largest investment groups. It is in his memory that his descendents and corporate associates contributed to make the museum possible.

            The museum itself is over 5,000 square feet, having six total sections. The first section is called the Introductory Room. As you walk in, a projection screen on the wall plays a sixteen minute video highlighting the history of Auburn athletics.

            It shows off  memorabilia from the last century, which includes the Heisman Trophy that was given to Auburn in 1971. There are several artifacts from the first football game played against Georgia. The mascot display area is must see. This exhibit honors Aubie, while telling the background story behind the “War Eagle” battle cry.

           Visitors are supposed to move on to the History Room afterward. It features a timeline that starts in 1892, two interactive computer displays, and a locker for every varsity sport. Each one includes memorabilia, trophies, and photographs. Every sport has its own personal narrative upon pressing a button.

            The Traditions Room celebrates everything that is uniquely Auburn. There is replica of Toomer’s Corner complete with toilet paper and realistic backdrop. What Auburn Means to Me allows visitors to write down their favorite memories and watch others recollect theirs. Walk inside a replica of Toomer's Drug Store, while trying not to get chills while experiencing the middle of a Tiger Walk.

            Guests will then find themselves in the "endzone" of Jordan-Hare Stadium. This room is called Game Day. The replica of the field includes a full scale field goal post and a working scoreboard. Coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan’s practice golf-cart that he used throughout the 60’s and 70’s is on display. The walls in the are covered with history from almost every bowl game. There is even a six minute video celebrating all of the rituals that go along with the game day experience.

            Building the Dream is next, which is the biggest room in the museum. Featuring life-size dioramas that memorialize great moments in history. Forever known as “Bo over the Top,” a replica of Bo Jackson is frozen in mid-air as he is about to score the winning touchdown against Alabama in 1982. A crowd roars every few minutes.

            Charles Barkley, Vicki Orr, Frank Thomas, and Pat Dye among others have their own robotic replicas. Coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan even talks. Giving his Heisman-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan a pep talk. Others make a shooting motion or swing a bat. A full list of athletes who have or still are competing in the professional world of sports is on display. All of the Academic All-Americans to have graced the campus are proudly displayed nearby.

            Last but not least, there is the Awards & Successes corridor. It contains information on the many individuals to achieve success in their respective sport. As guests are about to leave, they will pass by a motion detecting video monitor that features Athletic Director David Housel thanking everyone for coming.

            Across from the museum is the Rane Reception Room. Besides being a lounge and continuation of the museum, media members can interview football coaches and players in there. The memorabilia and artifacts are put into showcases all around the room. In the middle of the room is another Heisman Trophy given to Auburn after Bo Jackson won in 1984.

            The museum is free and open to the public all week for seven to eight hours a day. The only exception is during football season when the museum will not be open on a Sunday after an away game. If it is home game, the museum closes when the game starts but reopens on Sunday.

           It is estimated that almost 80,000 people visit the athletic complex every year. Most take a break from tailgating on Saturday afternoons during the fall to see it. 

Sibling Rivalry

Kenny and David Irons 

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on August 31, 2006)

            Did you know that two of the most recognizable players on the football team are brothers? David and Kenny Irons who play on opposite sides of the ball are charismatic individuals who play football with the same passion and charm that characterizes them. Originally from New Jersey, they moved to Georgia before middle school started. It’s ironic they both ended up at Auburn after the paths they took to get here.

            David Irons is the older of the two and the starting left cornerback, wearing number four. He is entering his sixth year of eligibility, but didn’t come to Auburn until the 2004 season. He had to have surgery on his knee, sitting out his first season after transferring from a community college in Kansas.

Ever since then, he has experienced a fair amount of success. The Associated Press thought he was good enough to name him to the All-Conference second team last year. He’s even starting to impress professional teams with his aggressiveness, mobility, and speed. He once ran a forty yard dash in 4.3 seconds. There are still concerns about his surgically repaired knee, but he will have plenty of chances to prove how healthy he is this season.

He’s already graduated with a degree in sociology. When asked about his future plans, David does not seem to care much about going pro. He would love to play in San Francisco like his idol Deion Sanders once did, but thinks he’ll probably be working a real job next year.

           Kenny Irons, number twenty-three, had a coming out party last season. He is just the running back Auburn needed after the departure of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to the NFL. He led the SEC in rushing last year with 1,293 yards, which averages to about 108 yards per game. He is now considered one of the top backs in the country, and a significant reason why Auburn is considered to be a top-ten team heading into this season.

The path he took to get to here started in South Carolina. A highly recruited player out of high school, Kenny decided he wanted to be a Gamecock. Everything started going down hill when then coach Lou Holtz made him sit on the bench. Kenny was furious when a true freshman was promised a starting job over him, a sophomore. It got worse from there, prompting him to request a transfer.

He knew that he had a legitimate shot to start at Auburn. Though ultimately forgettable, the LSU game last season was a chance for Kenny to show off. Before the game, he predicted that he would run for at least two hundred yards against a stingy defense. He backed it up too, but it wasn’t a celebratory occasion after losing in overtime. Big things are expected from him this year, but a Heisman trophy probably isn’t in his future. He concedes that he’d much rather share the ball with his backups however. Playing the running back position takes its toll on the body.

            The Plainsman got a chance to talk with them both recently, hilarity ensued.

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