Jan. 9, 2017
By Jack Smith
Gerald White says it's hard to explain how much Auburn has changed since his time on The Plains.
And he's not just talking about the impressive athletic venues, dorms and dining halls today's athletes enjoy.
It's the little things he remembers most.
"I used to live on Magnolia, and I went to McDonald's a lot," joked White, the all-time assist leader who played during the heyday of Auburn hoops, from 1983-1987. "When the students weren't here, the McDonald's closed at 7 o'clock. I would make sure I got there early, and I wrote a check there. That's how long it's been since I played. You could write a check at McDonald's."
White, whose daughter is now a senior at Auburn majoring in political science, enjoys driving around town and marveling at all that's new and different. But he says it's more important to remember what hasn't changed.
"As different as it is, everything that makes this place special hasn't changed," White said. "It's always so good to come back and see everybody. It's special to me. We all went through trying times together and we grew up as men."
White says he keeps up with his former teammates throughout the year, but there's nothing like getting together to share stories and relish the memories of being at Auburn and playing basketball in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
"We have so many good memories," White said. "It's always good to see everybody who can get here."
Seeing coach Sonny Smith is always a highlight for White.
"Playing for Coach Smith was just a great experience," White said. "You never know how much you appreciate what guys do for you and the important things they said to you until you are gone. I've been a college basketball coach for 18 years, and I took many of the things he instilled in us and ran with them as a coach."
White says Coach Smith was a lot like his teammate Chuck Person-a straight shooter.
"He was very honest. He was up front. He gave me the keys to the bus. He taught me you have to get that point guard situation right for everything else to work. But he trusted me, and that was really important because I had to change my game when I got here."
White was a prolific scorer in high school and figured he would be in college, too.
"I averaged 28 points a game in high school and was an All-American. But my game totally changed when I got here. I never thought I would become the all-time assist leader. But that's one of the reasons I became a coach."
Derek Bird, a member of Auburn's 2003 NCAA Sweet 16 team, came down from his native Michigan for the weekend. It was extra special because he was joined by his wife, Vanita, and their children, 8-year-old DeMarus and 6-year-old Vaniece.
Bird's first stop after taking his kids to Momma Goldberg's for lunch was the Auburn Athletics Complex.
He wanted his family to meet the people who made such a difference in his life, people like academic counselors Troy Smith and Janice Robinson.
"Those relationships were so important to me, and people like Troy and Janice had a major influence on my life," Bird said. "I wanted my family to get to see them. I just wish Virgil Starks, God rest his soul, was still here. He was one of the reasons I came to Auburn and he is the man who gave me the opportunity to come back and earn my master's degree."
Even though Bird returned to Michigan degree to pursue his career after earning his master's degree, part of his heart will always be in Auburn.
"It's always special to come home to Auburn," Bird said. "It's been a real blessing to be able to bring my kids and show them around. I wanted them to see they can have the same opportunities their dad had."
Bird and White were among the former players, coaches and staff spanning more than 70 years of Auburn hoops history who gathered for the lettermen club reunion weekend.