Nearly four years ago, I was recruited to Auburn. While not quite a "blue chipper," my experience during that process was remarkably similar to the talented class Coach Harsin and his staff inked on National Signing Day.
Each time an elite recruit put on an orange and blue AU hat to declare their love for Auburn, they told reporters, "Auburn felt like home."
It's the same feeling you and I experience daily on the campus of Auburn University, whether you're a student, alum, fan or friend of Auburn.
The recruiting momentum that helped Auburn land a top 12 class reached its peak when prospective student-athletes witnessed the Iron Bowl and saw college football's greatest game day experience with their own eyes.
We congratulate Coach Harsin and his staff for capitalizing on that momentum and connecting with the next generation of Auburn men in the Class of 2022.
And they're just getting started. More blue-chippers will be signing in February while other student-athletes who began their college careers elsewhere will take advantage of the opportunity to join what we're building at Auburn.
We look forward to seeing the Auburn Family at brand new Protective Stadium on Dec. 28 for the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl.
If you can't make it to the Magic City, be sure to tune in to ESPN (11 a.m. CT kickoff) and listen to Andy, Stan and Ronnie on the Auburn Sports Network.
It's a new era in intercollegiate athletics. Between NIL, the Supreme Court's ruling in the Alston case, and the transfer portal, things are changing fast.
At Auburn we are being proactive, skating to where the puck will be, as Gretzky famously said.
Auburn's other fall sports – soccer, volleyball and cross country – each had moments to celebrate this season.
Coach Hoppa's soccer program earned an SEC Tournament win and a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, while Alyssa Malonson was the SEC Defender of the Year.
Coach Crouch's volleyball program saw multiple players set season and career records and signed a recruiting class that will elevate Auburn's standing in the SEC.
The incomparable Joyce Kimeli closed out her cross country career by earning her second All-America honor and will look to bring more medals and trophies back to the Plains in indoor and outdoor track and field.
SEC basketball season starts soon, and The Jungle will be jumping at Auburn Arena!
After more than four years, the cloud that persisted over our men's program has lifted. Cumulatively, a steep price has been paid for mistakes that were made, acknowledged and rectified. Now it's time to move forward into a future filled with promise.
Coach Pearl's team plays with an unselfish togetherness and tenacity that's exhilarating to witness.
Under Coach Johnnie Harris' leadership, our women's program has made tremendous strides, taking a six-game winning streak into SEC play. It's not too late to get in on the ground floor of what Coach J and her staff are building. You'll be glad you did, and so will our student-athletes and coaches.
There's never been more enthusiasm around Auburn's gymnastics program. Of course, the Tigers have never had an Olympic gold-medalist and Sports Illustrated's Athlete of the Year on the roster.
When the new year arrives, Suni Lee will be competing at Auburn Arena. The world's best in our own backyard.
Coach Wochomurka and his staff are busily training our swimmers and divers for SEC competition, with both Auburn's women's and men's programs picking up key victories in the fall.
Soon crossover season will be here, with spring sports right around the corner. Baseball, softball, equestrian, outdoor track and field, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's tennis are preparing to compete in the nation's most challenging conference.
This month, we celebrated as 30 student-athletes earned their Auburn University degrees at Fall Commencement, including pitching coach and Auburn legend Tim Hudson, the 1997 SEC Player of the Year.
Twenty-six years after he first arrived on campus, Huddy proved it's never too late to tackle a big dream.
In 2022, Auburn University marks an important milestone in our nation's history – one that has created countless opportunities for deserving student-athletes on our campus and across the country.
We will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 with a year-long celebration of women's sports at Auburn, including team reunions and sharing the stories of the pioneers on the Plains who enriched our campus and paved the way for all who would follow.
When you have a few minutes over the holidays, you'll enjoy reading about freshman phenom Jabari Smith, equestrian student-athlete Helen Lohr and her incredible balancing act, Auburn baseball's Player Development Center dedication, and Auburn softball's star-studded 2022 recruiting class.
As we enter the holiday season, please know that all of us at Auburn Athletics are grateful for the essential role you play in fulfilling our vision to raise the profile of Auburn University through excellence in intercollegiate athletics.
By supporting the Tigers, you are helping create Auburn women and men.
Here's to a 2022 filled with championship rings, graduation rings and memories made every time the Auburn Family gathers.
Thank you for believing in Auburn and loving it.
War Eagle!
From the Desk of Allen Greene
