Self-discipline is the hallmark of Auburn student-athletes.
Rising early to train, many have already worked out before classes start at 8 a.m. They skillfully balance athletics and academics, making sure to rest and refuel so they'll be at their best on game day.
Never has their self-discipline been more evident than in the COVID-19 era.
Our student-athletes are sacrificing aspects of the way of life we all took for granted prior to the pandemic.
By faithfully following the lead of Auburn Athletics team physician Dr. Michael Goodlett, they are reaping the reward: the opportunity to compete with their teammates, to proudly wear the orange and blue.
To date, Auburn's sports medicine team has administered more than 6,200 tests to student-athletes since their return to campus in June at a cost of more than $700,000, with a positive rate of 1.39%.
We are not taking a victory lap. On the contrary, we are mindful that uncompromising diligence to protocols is required to minimize the chances of contracting a highly contagious virus that never takes a day off. We won't let down our guard.
TOGETHER WE WILLIf you watched Auburn's season opener vs. Kentucky on Sept. 26, you may have seen our students wearing t-shirts that read: Auburn Family. Together We Will. Unite As One.
We launched the Together We Will initiative last month to support and advance the Auburn Family in its quest toward positive action on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Like Coach Malzahn says, we want to use our influence in a positive way.
You may notice the Auburn Unity Symbol on our uniforms and/or equipment. Black and white hands clasped together in solidarity. The symbol represents the oneness we seek to instill in our teams and throughout our community, acknowledging and celebrating our differences while we unite for a greater purpose.
Oct 3, 2020; Oxford, MS, USA; Team exiting the tunnel before the game between Auburn and Ole Miss at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
I encourage the Auburn Family to embrace what makes us unique and enthusiastically support Together We Will.
Through t-shirt sales, we're raising money to support Auburn University's goal of promoting a diverse student body with the Together We Will Scholarship. Supporters can contribute directly to the scholarship here: https://alumniq.auburn.edu/giving/to/together.
More than 40 athletics staff members, coaches and donors contributed over $60,000 to support the scholarship fund and provide Unity t-shirts for students at Auburn's first home football game.
Thank you to everyone who is committed to sharing the life-changing Auburn University experience with students from demographics that are underrepresented on our campus.
BELIEVE IN AUBURNAnother massive THANK YOU to the donors and season ticket holders who participated in our Believe in Auburn campaign.
More than 1,600 Tigers Unlimited members have chosen to Believe in Auburn by converting their 2020 priority seating contribution into philanthropic gifts to support Auburn student-athletes, resulting in $1.5 million in total donations.
Additionally, inspired by the campaign, several Auburn Family members reached out to make major gifts totaling more than $500,000 to support student-athletes and athletics department initiatives.
While we exercise fiscal discipline to reduce our expenses without compromising the services we provide to student-athletes, you are helping us weather the storm.
Thank you for believing in Auburn!THANK YOU, STUDENTSWith capacity at Jordan-Hare Stadium reduced to 20 percent, Auburn made the decision to prioritize student attendance at our home football games this season.
As always, our students have shown up early and stayed late – even during the downpour against Arkansas. I appreciate Auburn's students for their commitment to safety and adherence to physical distancing and face covering guidelines.
Even with a capacity of 17,490, our students and fans have magnified their voices to create a home-field advantage that Coach Malzahn and our team have noticed and appreciated.
To our students and fans who will attend our remaining home games, we're counting on you to turn up the volume three more times this fall.SPORT UPDATES
At the midpoint of the 10-game, SEC-only gauntlet, the Auburn Tigers are showing plenty of resolve, coming from behind in the final minutes to earn a hard-fought road win last week at Ole Miss. I'm proud of the way our student-athletes and coaches never flinch when adversity arrives.
Over the years, the Auburn-LSU game has produced many thrills. Whether you're going to be in the stadium on Saturday, watching on CBS or listening to Andy, Stan and Ronnie, let everyone around you know you're an Auburn Tiger through and through.Oct 3, 2020; Oxford, MS, USA; Tank Bigsby (4) dives for the touchdown during the game between Auburn and Ole Miss at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Coach Hoppa's Auburn soccer team, the last remaining unbeaten team in the SEC, has had a knack for late-match drama. Unranked at the start of the season, Auburn is now in the top 15.
Auburn Celebrates vs Ole Miss
Last week, the Brent Crouch era of Auburn volleyball began with the first event at Auburn Arena since the pandemic. The new video board and sound system makes a difference our fans will enjoy for decades.
To no one's surprise, Coach Williams and the top-ranked Auburn equestrian team has continued its winning ways, earning road wins against top five teams. This Friday at home, these Auburn women will be riding for the 37th consecutive victory, a streak that dates back to the spring of 2018.
Men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis and cross country have also returned to competition. Swimming and diving is up next with a meet at Georgia next Friday.
Gymnastics and track and field are preparing to showcase their skills in early 2021. Baseball and softball are taking advantage of this great fall weather to get in work before winter arrives.
Men's and women's basketball have begun practicing for seasons that will tip off in late November.
In true 2020 style, the season openers for Coach Pearl and Coach Flo are less than a month away and we're still working to finalize our basketball schedules. Flexibility continues to be a key to navigating the pandemic. I appreciate our coaches and student-athletes for their patience and adaptability.
I also deeply appreciate our fans for their understanding while we determine seating capacity and ticketing options for Auburn Arena for basketball. We will announce those details soon.
It might not be business as usual, but here on the Plains, our student-athletes, coaches and staff are committed to living out the Auburn Creed each day while competing for championships.
Thank you for helping us raise the profile of Auburn University through excellence in intercollegiate athletics while we seek to develop Auburn women and Auburn men.
On this day and every day, it's great to be an Auburn Tiger!
War Eagle!