AUBURN, Ala. – When kicking specialist Ian Shannon initially visited Auburn, he didn't know much about The Plains, but once he saw the type program and university he could be a part of, he was sold.
"Coaching-wise, I loved the coaches," Shannon said. "I also really enjoyed the special teams group I'd be around. I liked everything a lot and wanted to be a part of it."
The senior from Marietta High in Marietta, Georgia, who is majoring in professional flight management through the Auburn aviation program, reflected on the relationships he's made with his teammates and the memorable moments he's had at Auburn as his last fall football preseason camp came to an end.
"Throughout the years, I've had some great teammates to be around, but this year, our preseason camp has been amazing," Shannon said. "I've learned so much about my teammates I didn't know before."
As for Shannon's most memorable moments thus far as an Auburn Tiger, he said, "I will never forget when I played in my first college football game (vs. Arkansas State in 2016) and flew an airplane for the first time all in the same week."
As his final season of Auburn football begins, not only is Shannon reflecting on his football memories, but he's also looking back at how being a student-athlete has continuously helped him excel on and off the field.
"Being a student-athlete has helped me be more competitive in the classroom, as well as in athletics," Shannon, a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and an Academic Top Tiger, said. "For example, I got named student pilot of the semester in the aviation program and on top of that, played football."
Shannon never considered aviation as a career when younger, although he admitted, "When I was a kid, I always thought the best part of traveling was the travel itself. So when some other career ideas just didn't click with me when I first came to Auburn, I found flying and fell in love with it.
'Attention to detail': professional flight management major Ian Shannon checks his fuel level before a flight in 2017. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics
"In flying, just like kicking, attention to detail is very important. Just a little difference on the front end can make a big difference on the back end in the outcome. Every opportunity demands your best, in football and in flying."
With that competitive drive, Shannon plans to use the experience gained in his major to pursue his goal after graduation of becoming an airline pilot. He also has his sights set on some important athletic goals.
"Team-wise, we have it established -- we want to win the SEC, so that will put us in a position to do the rest of the job," Shannon said.
"Personally, though, I want to do whatever I can to contribute, to help achieve our goals. If that means punting, kicking, folding towels, I don't care," he said. "I want to do something to contribute. We are a team and I love being a part of it, no matter what I have to do."
His career at Auburn has given Shannon great momentum toward achieving these goals, but he knows none of it is possible without the support of his Auburn Family.
"I am going to miss the people the most; the people here at Auburn are actually as nice as people describe," Shannon said. "So I just want to say a really big thank you. I am grateful that the Auburn Family is able to put any and all differences aside because they want to see us succeed and I really appreciate that."
Jami Proksa is a student assistant in Auburn athletics communications