'Really proud to be an Auburn Tiger': Athletics Director's Wall of Fame honors leaders

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Aug. 22, 2017

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Visitors to Jay Jacobs' office will notice an all-star lineup on the wall: framed pictures of the 19 Auburn student-athletes who comprise the inaugural class in the Athletics Director's Wall of Fame.

Jacobs invited the honorees, one from each sport, to a reception in his office before introducing the class Monday evening at Auburn Arena during the Tiger Tailgate dinner.

"It's not just your athletic success," Jacobs told the student-athletes, who were nominated by Auburn's head coaches. "We asked the coaches to talk to us about your academic success, leadership, character and integrity."

Kristen Dodson, a senior soccer star who broke Auburn's single-season record by scoring 38 points in 2016, and her fellow Wall of Famers received copies of the black and white pictures displayed in Jacobs' office.

"It's an honor to be on the AD Wall of Fame," Dodson said. "I'm truly grateful that Coach Hoppa nominated me to represent the Auburn soccer program."

Baseball's Casey Mize recognized the game documented in his picture. A Casey masterpiece, Mize's complete game, 12-strikeout victory over South Carolina.

"Just to be recognized by Mr. Jay Jacobs is awesome," Mize said. "For my picture to be in his office for him to see every day is pretty cool. It's a really great honor and I'm very thankful for that."

Swimmer Zach Apple recalled the achievement portrayed in his image, his first dual meet win at Auburn.

"That was an amazing moment," Apple said. "You touch the wall and see the No. 1 by your name and know that you've scored the points for the team that you needed to, is one of the best feelings in the world.

"It's super awesome. I'm really excited to be able to represent Auburn in this way, and be able to be called one of the best on campus is something that makes me really proud to be an Auburn Tiger. To be able to set the standard for my fellow teammates and fellow Auburn family."


Zach Apple takes a picture of his picture on Auburn's Athletics Director's Wall of Fame

Gymnast Abby Milliet is pictured "paying very close attention" as she jumps to the bars.

"It's always nice being recognized for your hard work," Milliet said. "Just being recognized as a team leader, it's a really special thing."

In her first two seasons, Alannah Griffin helped lead Auburn's women's tennis team to the program's first two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

"All your hard work and effort that you've put in with the team, training day in, day out, to be recognized like that, with schooling as well, it's a real honor," said Griffin, a junior.

"To just be in Jay's office, and to be on the wall is such an honor, coming from England as well, to make your mark when you come here, it's amazing. I love it."

The first Athletics Director's Wall of Fame includes: Casey Mize (baseball), Mustapha Heron (men's basketball), Janiah McKay (women's basketball), Wesley Curles (men's cross country), Brenda Kigen (women's cross country), Caitlin Boyle (equestrian), Tyler Stovall (football), Jacob Solomon (men's golf), Kelli Murphy (women's golf), Abby Millet (gymnastics), Kristen Dodson (soccer), Kaylee Carlson (softball), Zach Apple (men's swimming), Haley Black (women's swimming), Edward Nguyen (men's tennis), Alannah Griffin (women's tennis), Akeem Bloomfield (men's track and field), Jonielle Smith (women's track and field) and Alexa Filley (volleyball).

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer