Oct. 7, 2016
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - After showcasing his culinary competence before a recent soccer game, Bruce Pearl ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" aka "the Guardian of the Grill" - is fine-tuning the menu for Sunday's Auburn volleyball match.
"Burgers with Basketball" is the headline. Starting at 1 p.m., Auburn men's basketball coaches and players will serve free hamburgers and hot dogs to Auburn students before the Tigers take on Alabama at 1:30 at Auburn Arena.
"When you see our other sports teams every day, and you see them in the weight room, the training room and on the practice court, and you see how hard they work, and how passionate they are about what they do, you just can't help but feel drawn to support them," Pearl said.
Bruce Pearl and the Auburn basketball team barbecued for students before Auburn's soccer game against South Carolina." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/w-soccer/auto_a_storywide/12151353.jpeg"> Bruce Pearl and the Auburn basketball team barbecued for students before Auburn's soccer game against South Carolina.
Auburn volleyball coach Rick Nold appreciates the assist.
"Pretty cool. Big game for us obviously with Alabama coming in," Nold says. "Bruce has just done a great job. He did it with soccer, and now with us. Having the whole team out there, barbecuing. I hear he's a decent cook, so we'll be excited to have those guys out. It's a special way for everybody to see what the Auburn family means. Him coming out and supporting us. It just means a lot."
"A special way for everybody to see what the Auburn family means" - @AuburnVB HC Rick Nold. 1 pm Sun vs UA. "Burgers w/Auburn Basketball." pic.twitter.com/3yf9JoELrf
- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) October 5, 2016
Pearl hopes the good will his team generates among Auburn students will pay off on the court Sunday, and again next month when basketball season begins.
"Any time Alabama comes to town, it's our rival," Pearl said. "Our women need all the support they can get in what is a really big match. We'll have some fun doing it. And it's also a great way for me and my coaches and players to start to build those relationships with our students, and with the Jungle, because our time is approaching."
"We're all really excited because obviously, it's a huge rivalry." @kellystew04 on @AuburnVB game vs UA Sun at 1:30 (bro is @KohlStewart1 ) pic.twitter.com/bJx01o4Wzj
- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) October 6, 2016
"I feel like that's going to bring in a lot of fans." @Brenna_McIlroy on @AuburnVB "Burgers w/Basketball" Sun - 1 pm for @AuburnU students. pic.twitter.com/fzWI8svFyG
- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) October 6, 2016
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer