More than a mascot: A deep dive on Aubie

The energetic, head-bobbling beloved mascot of Auburn University, Aubie the Tiger has been a fan favourite now for over 60 years. His appeal and skill to get the group on their toes have persistently received over new and longtime followers alike. It’s exhausting to think about a time earlier than this lovable mascot was the face of Auburn, however Aubie has not at all times been round.

Aubie was first drawn as a cartoon for the duvet of a soccer program in 1959 by Birmingham Post-Herald artist Phil Neel. The cartoon tiger, extra like a standard tiger than the Aubie everybody is aware of at present, continued to look on Auburn soccer packages for 18 years in a comic-like situation, usually scaring that week’s opponent.

Eventually, the cartoon tiger started to stroll on two toes and put on clothes.

Aubie made his first real-life look in 1979 on the SEC basketball match in a dressing up impressed by Neel’s soccer program illustrations. The first Aubie, Jamie Lloyd, helped to convey the tiger to life.

“I feel like that’s kind of just when Aubie as a whole began to be the goodwill ambassador for Auburn, and since then, it’s just kind of taken off,” mentioned Ella Coons, the director of scheduling for Aubie.

The first Aubie costume, designed by Brooks-Van Horn Costumes, featured darkish colours and the enduring orange. There have been skinny black stripes, spots of white and thick blotches of grey.

Unlike at present’s Aubie, he normally didn’t put on garments, identical to the early soccer packages he appeared on. His first well-known costume was on the 1979 Iron Bowl when he dressed up just like the University of Alabama’s coach on the time, Paul “Bear” Bryant, in his go well with jacket and iconic houndstooth hat.

Regardless, Aubie left an impression not solely on the followers but additionally on the video games. During his first look, he cheered on the Tigers, as they defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores, and he continued to convey good luck in lots of video games after that.

Soon after his historic first look, he started attending campus and neighborhood occasions past video games. Fans might additionally begin requesting Aubie’s look at their occasions. Today, Aubie is requested for roughly 1,500 occasions a yr.

“We get stuff for SGA. We get requests for involvement, for athletics,” Coon mentioned. “We get requests for events in other states all the time. Aubie does travel a good bit. He’s been all over the world.”

Aubie’s wardrobe and props have additionally expanded through the years, and he has recieved an upgraded costume go well with with bigger eyes and brighter colours. During soccer video games, Aubie usually seems in 4 or 5 completely different outfits, some with their very own props. Some of his well-liked costumes embody sweet corn, Aubie Claus, superheroes and extra.

“Aubie loves to shop,” Coon mentioned. “Aubie’s also very crafty, so all of his props he makes with the help of the Aubie Committee.”

Although Aubie has modified quite a bit through the years, his influence and charming character are extensively felt all through the Auburn neighborhood. As some of the embellished faculty mascots in historical past, this beloved tiger will proceed to be the face of Auburn for a few years to come back.