AUBURN, Ala. – Accustomed to reading formations on the field, Auburn football players employed their reading skills in a different arena Monday, reading to elementary school students as part of the 13th annual Tigers Give Back day.
Fresh off the A-Day game marking the end of spring practice, the Tigers read to kindergarteners, first and second graders at Auburn Early Education Center, one of several community service projects in which Athletics staff, coaches and student-athletes participated.
"When we talk about Auburn being Auburn, Tigers Give Back community service day represents a quintessential example," Auburn athletics director John Cohen said. "It is a privilege to serve our community as an expression of gratitude for the tremendous support Auburn receives."
Gallery: (4-11-2023) Tigers Give Back Day
Another group of football student-athletes visited third, fourth and fifth graders at Pick Elementary School, reading to students, participating in physical education classes and opening car doors during pickup after school, while Athletics staff members read to students at Dean Road Elementary.
Head football coach Hugh Freeze and his assistant coaches visited patients at East Alabama Medical Center.
A dozen staffers from War Eagle creative, the business and ticket offices, athletics communications and event operations visited senior adults in Opelika.
Nearly three dozen Athletics employees, working morning and afternoon shifts, painted the exterior of a Habitat for Humanity home located a mile and a half north of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The paint crew included staffers from Auburn Sports Properties, War Eagle Productions, administration, fan experience, student-athlete support services, Tigers Unlimited, soccer, counseling and sport psychology, communications, sports medicine, tickets and information technology.
"It always fills me with joy and pride to see our Auburn Athletics department support Tigers Give Back day so enthusiastically," director of community relations Latisha Durroh said. "They truly care about our community and feel so strongly about giving back."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer