AUBURN, Ala. – A trailblazer in college athletics, Sue Locklar received Auburn’s 2026 Pamela Sheffield Award on the field named after her former boss.
“Very surprised and very honored,” Locklar said Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium before Auburn’s SEC opener. “I had the privilege of meeting several of the previous winners and I really feel honored to be considered part of that elite and wonderful group of Auburn people.”
The Pamela Sheffield Award is presented annually to a woman who best embodies selfless service and commitment to Auburn University and the Auburn family.
A native of Robertsdale, Alabama, Sheffield joined Auburn’s staff in 1978. When Pat Dye arrived two and a half years later, he promoted Locklar to a key position.
“Coach Pat Dye made me the first female on-campus recruiting coordinator in the nation,” Locklar recalled, moments before being recognized on Pat Dye Field. “And I also won his first award for outstanding employee. Being down here as I was with Coach Dye on many occasions, all the way through Coach Malzahn, it’s like coming home again.”
Many of the student recruiters Locklar mentored have gone on to excel in various fields. Attorney Liz Huntley is a member of Auburn University’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Susan Hubbard is the dean of Auburn’s College of Human Sciences.
“It means a tremendous amount to me,” Locklar said of her protégés’ successes. “It was a privilege to work with those young people and all of them have turned out to be just wonderful.”
The 1988 recipient of Auburn Athletics’ Distinguished Service Award, Locklar served Auburn for four decades before her retirement.
“I’m very proud of the way Auburn has gone but I do want it to stay Auburn,” Locklar said. “I want it to stay Auburn first because that’s what makes us unique. We’re not like everybody else. We’ve got Auburn, and that’s what we’ve got to keep.”
Pamela Sheffield Award winners:
- 1991: Pamela Wells Sheffield
- 1992: Evelyn Jordan
- 1993: none
- 1994: none
- 1995: Sara Waid
- 1996: Jane Moore
- 1997: Jan Lisenby
- 1998: Jean Welsh
- 1999: Kym Prewitt
- 2000: Debbie Shaw
- 2001: Patsy Alford
- 2002: Caroline Draughon
- 2003: Pat Wingfield
- 2004: Susan Hubbard
- 2005: Carol Clark Laster
- 2006: Sandra Newkirk
- 2007: Rebecca Hatcher
- 2008: Carolyn Reed
- 2009: Mary Boudreaux
- 2010: Joyce Ringer
- 2011: Gwen Reid
- 2012: Susan Housel
- 2013: Susan Nunnelly
- 2014: Meredith Jenkins
- 2015: Judith Jehle
- 2016: Harriet Giles
- 2017: Kimberly Hudson
- 2018: Jennifer Jarvis
- 2019: Dr. Barb Struempler
- 2020-21: Dr. June Henton
- 2022: Ellyn Hix
- 2023: Becky Richardson
- 2024: Babs Anderson
- 2025: Kim Evans
- 2026: Sue Locklar