AUBURN, Ala. – When Robin Thompson told a friend that she planned to attend Auburn football's Ladies Forum, her pal, a fan of Auburn's biggest rival, lamented that her favorite team did not offer a similar event.
The FOMA – Fear of Missing Aubie – was real.
"They have huge envy that they don't have this same kind of program there," said Thompson, a 1981 Auburn University graduate. "I think it's fabulous that Auburn does this for us. It really makes us feel like we are coming home."
A group of 525 Auburn fans came home to the Plains Saturday to attend the first Ladies Forum in the new Woltosz Football Performance Center and the first in the Hugh Freeze era.
"Coach Freeze has been so welcoming, and you can feel how he is excited to be here," Thompson said. "I'm thrilled and very hopeful for the way the season looks."
Hugh Freeze welcomes attendees at Auburn football's Ladies Forum
After opening remarks from Freeze and associate head coach Carnell Williams, offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery discussed Auburn's offensive philosophy and defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff outlined the Tigers' schemes and strategies on defense.
Following a break for lunch, a college football official discussed points of emphasis and what crews are looking for when determining whether to call penalties.
After singing the fight song at the suggestion of attendee Cathy Roush, campers listened to an 11-member panel of coaches' wives, who discussed their gameday routines along with the joys and challenges that accompany being married to SEC football coaches, and the sisterhood and support they experience from one another.
"I love this event because it's an opportunity to meet the women fans," Jill Freeze said. "I really believe we are the heart of the fanbase because we do drive it. They're the ones who get the tailgate ready so that everyone can spend that time together before and after the game. They're the ones who make that happen which makes gameday so fun in addition to the game itself.
'I love getting to tell them thank you'
"I love getting to be with them and tell them thank you and help them understand a little bit more of what's going on and what they're supporting more than just the game."
"I think they're going to click with Auburn and that is a fantastic feeling," said two-time attendee Amy Crew of the Freezes. "They've been wonderful, very personable."
Next, Auburn's assistant coaches demonstrated some of the drills they use in practice, giving attendees a chance to showcase their footwork and pass catching skills.
After touring the new facility, including presentations about equipment, sports medicine and recruiting, the Ladies Forum concluded at Jordan-Hare Stadium with locker room tours and appearances by Aubie and the cheerleaders.
"I'll sign up every year," said five-time attendee Susan Young, who's held Auburn season tickets for 31 years and plans to travel to Berkeley, California, in September to see the Tigers take on Cal.
"I was excited that we got to come to the new building. The social aspect is fun. I see people who have been here from some of the ones I've been to."
"Getting in a community where everybody understands everybody," said Crew, who attended Auburn's first Ladies Forum. "Being in the South, we women know our football. Being with other women who enjoy this as much as everybody else is a lot of fun and gets us really excited for the upcoming season."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer