AUBURN, Ala. - Entering the new Harbert Family Recruiting Center at Jordan-Hare Stadium, members of the Auburn Football Lettermen Club walked a brick pathway containing the names of captains and championship teams.
Not only were the legends engraved on bricks, many were part of the 150 former players who attended Saturday's football lettermen day.
"For former players to feel a part of things, I think is important," said Charlie Trotman, who quarterbacked Auburn from 1977-79. "It gives the program stability. For the coaching staff now to see that we have a continued interest in wanting to be a part of the program a great thing. As a letterman, I'm just proud of the fact that we're as welcomed on campus as we are."
Director of Athletics Allen Greene welcomed the lettermen at a luncheon at Auburn Arena. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics
The lettermen's itinerary Saturday began with a meeting with head coach Gus Malzahn. After watching practice, the former players enjoyed a barbecue lunch at Auburn Arena. Director of Athletics Allen Greene welcomed the former players, who heard from defensive coordinator Kevin Steele before touring the new locker room.
"We watch practice and get to know the players a little bit," said Trotman, who served as the Tigers' radio analyst from 1986-2001. "I got to shake hands with three or four of the players today, so I feel like I know them and have a little bit of a bond with them."
Terrell Zachery, whose 70-yard touchdown catch ignited Auburn's comeback win in the 2010 Iron Bowl, serves as an AFLC officer.
"Guys are welcomed back. I think that's a good thing," Zachery said. "We're trying our best to do everything we can to push it forward. They notice that our hard work paid off. Guys busted their tails when they were here, and the program has benefited from it."
Former Auburn quarterback Ben Leard, president of the Auburn Football Lettermen Club, speaks at Auburn Arena. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics
Auburn's quarterback from 1997-2000, club president Ben Leard offered an optimistic assessment after watching practice.
"We're super excited about the direction of the program and Gus and his staff," Leard said. "The quality of the kids they're bringing in to represent Auburn. The talent that they have. The future is extremely bright, not only for the long haul but for the immediate future with regard to the 2018 season."
The lettermen's club seeks to use its influence to support Auburn's program, Leard said.
"They understand and give us a sense of credit in laying some building blocks, just like we were supposed to have done to the guys who came before us," Leard said. "It's a pay it forward mentality. To hear Coach Malzahn, Coach Steele and Coach Lindsey give some credit to the folks who came before them, it means a lot.
"Most importantly, that we continue to make ourselves be valuable to them. And if there's an area that we can assist them and what they're wanting to accomplish, we always need to make ourselves be available to them."
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn speaks to former players before Saturday's practice. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics
Auburn's greatness can be traced to those who came before and laid the foundation upon which we build.
— Allen Greene (@AGreeneIV) August 12, 2018
Thank you @AuburnLettermen for your strong support. It was our honor to have you back on campus this weekend.
Fight on you orange and blue!#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/xcaDZMeMWh
What a great time hearing @coach_ksteele speak to our former @AuburnFootball Letterman's Club and also getting to catch up with Coach Dye.
— Rodney Garner (@coachg76) August 11, 2018
Our foundation is from you!!
🔷🔶🔷
🦅War Eagle 🦅 pic.twitter.com/2pKcIOh0RC
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: