On The Plains with Sammie Brown: 'the growth achieved along the way'

AUBURN, Ala - "From the beginning to now, I’ve grown both as a person and as a player in ways I never imagined. On the field, I have grown as a leader and friend to all my teammates. Off the field, I’ve gained a greater appreciation for consistency and discipline, realizing that growth requires a willingness to learn from each and every experience along the way."

For Auburn soccer senior Sammie Brown, the road from start to finish has been everything but a straight and narrow path, but that has not stopped her from growing and learning about herself in ways that she never truly imagined.

Brown grew up in a soccer family, born into the program at West Virginia University where her mother, Nikki Izzo-Brown, led the Mountaineers as head coach. 

She found her love of the game at matches, training sessions, road trips and team banquets, experiencing first-hand how a successful Division I program operated. 

When the time came for Brown to make her own decision about playing at the next level, she opted to write her own story and enroll at Auburn, 720 miles southwest of her Morgantown bubble. 

"My first visit to campus was amazing," she said. "I immediately felt the strong sense of school spirit and passion the community had for Auburn athletics. Once I spent more time with the coaching staff and team, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. The competitive level of play within the SEC paired with the strong academic reputation was too good to turn down."

Everything seemed promising and exciting for the young player. Like most, she hoped to join the program and help her squad by making an immediate impact on the field, however, life decided to throw her a curveball when she was diagnosed with Freiberg's disease, a rare condition that causes bone tissue death in the metatarsal bones of the foot, as a freshman. 

Brown questioned her future and what it meant for her playing career, but after consulting with Auburn's medical team and soccer team trainer, Madeline Warner, the group developed a plan that allowed her to rest her foot for a year and then continue playing the following four seasons without issue. 

"Soccer has taught me that challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but how you respond to them is what defines your growth and success."

Brown went on to rule the pitch as one of Auburn's most reliable midfielders. She saw time in nearly 60 career matches, juggling roles as both a defensive and center midfielder. She also contributed to the Tigers' attack with eight points on two goals and four assists.

Her first goal came early in the 2023 season, when she bagged the first of three goals in Auburn's comeback win at Army West Point, a victory that handed the Black Knights their first home loss in over two years. 

Brown scored again this past season on her senior night in front of her mother and father, heading in the service from a corner kick in the 80th minute against Coastal Carolina. 

"I’ll talk about the unforgettable moments with my teammates, the victories and the losses," Brown said. "I will remember the friendships and memories I made the most. My college experience has been defined by growth, resilience and the incredible people I’ve met along the way, and that is what I’ll take with me when I leave."

As she reflects on an incredible career capped by the program's most successful season in eight years, Brown thinks not of the accolades or awards, but of who and what got her to this point. 

"My family has been my biggest support system, standing by me every step of the way and always believing in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself," she said. "They’ve made countless sacrifices to help me pursue my dreams. I would not be the player or person I am today without their love and guidance."

A heartfelt reward for her endurance, Brown got to spend her final season on The Plains, playing alongside her younger sister, Gracie. 

"This year was so special with Gracie," Sammie added. "Because of our age difference, I did not believe we would ever get to play on a team together, so I am extra grateful that we had this season together. We have made unforgettable memories as sisters and teammates."

As one of 13 outgoing seniors, Brown exits with a group of leaders who have left the program in a better place. 

"Wearing 'Auburn' across my chest means representing something much bigger than myself. It’s about honoring the legacy of the athletes who came before me and striving to make my team and university proud when I step on the field.

"Our senior class has prioritized creating a culture of accountability, hard work and love for the game. Our legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and leadership."

Following graduation, Brown plans to stay at Auburn and pursue her Master of Health Science in Anesthesia in hopes of one day becoming an anesthesiologist assistant.

"To the next little girl who wants to follow in our footsteps, I would tell her that with hard work her dreams can come true, even if people tell you differently.

"I’d like people to know that my journey has been about much more than just playing soccer. It’s been a story of perseverance and personal growth. After facing challenges early on in my career, I dedicated myself to improving and embracing the journey ahead. I hope my story reflects that success isn’t defined solely by victories, but by the relationships built, obstacles overcome and the growth achieved along the way."