If you’re visiting the loveliest village on the plains this weekend, War Eagle and welcome back Auburn alumni and family! We are so glad you’re here to enjoy A-Day with us. There is a lot going on this weekend for both visitors and residents, so be sure to check out some of these other attractions in between throwing (or watching) the pigskin!
Friday, April 18
Bo Bikes Bama Silent Auction
6 - 9 p.m. / Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
Join Auburn legend Bo Jackson for a silent auction event Friday, April 18, from 6-9 p.m. at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. Guests will be able to bid on autographed items, as well as mingle with other VIP Bo Bikes Bama riders and fans. Regular tickets are $100 and include hors d’ oeuvres, beer and wine. VIP tickets may be purchased for $250 for access to a private meet-and-greet with Jackson from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here.
AU Baseball vs. South Carolina
6 p.m. / Plainsman Park
Can’t wait until A-Day to see your Tigers play? Come out to Plainsman Park on Friday, April 18 at 6 p.m. to watch AU Baseball take on South Carolina! The game is presented by Golden Flake, and the first 500 fans will receive a pennant courtesy of Golden Flake! Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online or at the ticket office.
2nd Annual Spring Fling
5 p.m. / Pay Dye's Crooked Oaks Farm and Quail Hollow Gardens, Notasulga, Ala.
Want to get away from the craziness of campus? Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences will host its 2nd Annual Spring Fling on Friday, April 18, 2014 at Pat Dye’s famous Crooked Oaks Farm and Quail Hollow Gardens in Notasulga, Ala. Proceeds from this fundraising gala will fund scholarships, program support and educational initiatives in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.
- Events, beginning at 5 p.m., include an archery exhibition; live and silent auctions; demonstrations from the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve, Birds of a Feather and the Southeastern Raptor Center and dinner and dancing, with live music provided by Kidd Blue. Dinner will be provided by Conecuh Sausage and the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama. Individual tickets for Friday night’s events are $100 each and can be purchased here, at the door or by calling (334) 844-2791.
Tiger Trail Induction
5 p.m. / Auburn Arena
The Auburn Chamber, along with Auburn University Athletics, will induct six new members into the ranks of the Tiger Trail on Friday, April 18, 2014. New inductees include Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams, Richard Quick, Cleve Wester, Doc Robinson and Megan Rivera. The new class of legends will officially join the ranks of 114 past Tiger Trail inductees during a reception and induction ceremony at the Auburn Arena. Each inductee will be presented with an engraved granite plaque to be placed in the sidewalk of downtown Auburn among the plaques honoring other Auburn greats. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar begin at 5 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m.
- Tickets are $25 per person and the entire community is invited to attend. For more information, call the Auburn Chamber at (334) 887-7011 or email jdodson@auburnchamber.com.
Saturday, April 19
A-Day
2 p.m. (Activities start at 9 a.m.) / Jordan-Hare Stadium
The 2014 football season is officially here! A-Day begins at Jordan-Hare stadium at 2 p.m. Be sure to come early though – there will be a pregame punt and pass contest, locker room tours, an easter egg hunt with Aubie, Fan Fest and more! Tickets are $5 for the general public and free for Auburn students with an Auburn Ignited card. More information about the day’s events and parking can be found here. War Eagle!
War Eagle Track Invitational
11 a.m. / Hutsell-Rosen Track
Admission is free to the War Eagle Track Invitational at the Hutsell-Rosen Track on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19. Events begin at 2 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday. Here’s a .pdf with the tentative list of track events.
AU Baseball vs. South Carolina
4 p.m. / Plainsman Park
Once you’ve watched some football, come on over to Plainsman Park to watch some baseball! The AU Baseball team will play South Carolina for the second time in the series at 4 p.m. The game is presented by Verizon Wireless, and the first 500 fans will receive a free phone charger car adapter courtesy of Verizon Wireless! Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online or at the ticket office.
Bo Bikes Bama
7 a.m. / Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
Bo knows what’s best for his community. On Saturday, April 19, Bo Jackson and hundreds of other riders will bike 22 or 62 miles through Auburn and neighboring counties to raise money for the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund. You can register to ride with Bo and other VIP riders here. The rides begin and end at the Jule Collins Museum of Fine Art. Registration is $40 for the 22 mile ride and $60 for the 62 mile ride. You must provide your own bike and a helmet is required.
Waverly Old 280 Boogie
11 a.m. / Standard Deluxe
Time to boogie! The Waverly Old 280 Boogie will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014 on the grounds of Standard Deluxe from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Musical artists include the Pine Hill Haints, Lydia Loveless and more! Kids get in free. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. For more information, click here.
33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m. / Kiesel Park
Good news – the Easter Bunny is stopping at Kiesel Park this weekend! More than 30,000 eggs will dot four acres of Kiesel Park this weekend as Auburn Parks and Recreation hosts its 33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Kiesel Park Saturday morning! The easter egg hunt starts at 10:15 a.m., so be sure to arrive early to find your child’s age group (age groups range from 3 years and under to 12 years old) and to get pictures with the Easter Bunny. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Auburn will be selling hot dogs and hamburgers, so bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic after the hunt. Proceeds from the sales will benefit needy families throughout the community. This event is free to the public and sponsored by Wells Fargo. For more information, click here.
Baby Chicks at Wrapsody
9/10 a.m. / Wrapsody ( 112 N. College St.)
It’s Easter Season at Wrapsody! All ages are welcome Friday and Saturday to play with baby chicks and ducks to help spread the spring cheer! Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Boogie Some More Party
9 p.m. / Mama Mocha's
Didn’t get enough boogie-ing in at the 280 Boogie? The band Have Gun, Will Travel will be performing during the “after party” for the Old 280 Boogie at Mama Mocha’s on Saturday at 9 p.m. Presented by This is American Music and Cottonseed Studios. Tickets are $5. To RSVP or for more information, visit the Facebook event page here.
Sunday, April 20
AU Baseball vs. South Carolina
1 p.m. / Plainsman Park
End your jam-packed weekend with your last chance of the weekend to watch AU Baseball play South Carolina! It’s Family Sunday, so if you buy three tickets you get one free! The team will also sign autographs at the left field wall after the game, and kids 12 and under will be let onto the field to run the bases after the game.
A-Day is just around the corner, and that only means one thing - football season is coming!
And with football season comes tailgating, Toomer's lemonade, seeing the eagle fly and watching your Auburn Tigers dominate the field once again. Choose your favorite gameday tradition and find out below what it says about you - you might be surprised!
1. Rolling Toomer's Corner
You’re fun, driven and competitive (but in a good way.) Nothing feels as good to you as winning does, and if it’s your Auburn Tigers, even better. You’re most likely to be found throwing the first couple rolls at Toomer’s corner, then snapping photos with you and your friends under the hanging strands, or lining up first to get into the game to get good seats. You’re most likely to be found in a game day score shirt or national championship shirt, or painting up/holding signs with your friends. (Like these kids.)
2. Getting a Toomer’s Lemonade
You’re the nostalgic type. Talk of Auburn makes you wish you were back in the good old days. When you come back for game days, you try to relive as much of your time here as possible (including grabbing a sweet Toomer’s lemonade) and remarking on how much the campus and downtown have changed. You believe in Auburn and love it, but cherish the “old” Auburn you remember. (Does anyone hang out in Foy Union anymore?)
That doesn’t stop you from having fun, though. You’re most likely to be found at a tailgate and then the game – you wouldn’t miss it for the world.
3. The eagle flying before the game
You’re a family man (or woman!) You have very close relationships with the people in your life. Nothing beats hearing your voice join in unison with thousands of other Auburn fans as you watch the eagle soar over the stadium. You’re most likely to be found at the Raptor Center before the game, or walking around campus checking out the tailgates and reveling in the feeling of being a part of Auburn family. You like football season, but the best part of it to you isn’t the game – it’s celebrating Auburn as a whole.
4. Tiger Walk
Your middle name is school spirit. You’re fun, dedicated to Auburn and love Auburn football more than anything – in fact, it’s likely that “Auburn” was your first word. You’re bedecked in AU face stickers, your brightest orange and deepest navy, shaker in hand, yelling WAR EAGLE at the top of your lungs. You’re most likely to be found waiting for Tiger Walk to begin (in hopes of getting close enough for a high five from the team) or seeking out Aubie for a picture.
5. Tailgating
You’re the life of the party. You know how to take a step back from work/school and just relax, which makes your tailgate the best place to be (no work talk allowed!) You’re more likely to be found reliving your Greek days on Old Row or engaging in a pickup game of football on the grass in between tailgates or relaxing under the shade. You’re more likely to be found in a bright orange Auburn t-shirt, unless you’re feeling fancy - then it’s an Auburn button down and khakis or a gameday dress.
6. Singing the alma mater after the game
You’re a traditionalist. You value your Auburn education and overall experience more than our football record, but that doesn’t mean football doesn’t get you excited. You’re more likely to be found in the Special Collections of RBD or grabbing a quiet drink at Avondale Bar and Tap Room. You’re also less likely to be found in a “Gus bus” shirt – more likely a vintage Aubie tee or an old college shirt from when you went to Auburn.
7. Chanting "Roll Tide"
You’re a loyal and dedicated fan, family member and friend. Your taste in teams could be better, but no worries – there’s room in the Auburn Family for you, too. (If you can stand to ditch the houndstooth.)
Club handball player Thomas Barrett talks about the sport of handball.
It’s like basketball without the dribbling, or water polo without the water.
That’s the best way to describe the sport of handball, a popular international sport that has recently made its home in Auburn, Ala.
This weekend, Auburn will play host to handball teams from all over the country for College Nationals, a national handball tournament that will allow teams to compete not only against each other, but also for players to compete for a spot on the national USA Team Handball team.
The Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau is co-hosting the event with the Auburn University Club Handball Team.
Last year, Auburn University was chosen to host the residency program for USA Team Handball by the United States Olympic Committee. The national team (and hopeful Olympians) live and practice in Auburn, and USA Team Handball hosts open tryouts throughout the year for people to try for a spot on the national team.
But not everyone has to try to be an Olympian.
Maurice Godwin, a doctoral student in the new School of Kinesiology, started Auburn’s club handball team this past year. A few members play on the USA National team, but most are normal students that liked the sport.
“Hosting College Nationals in Auburn is an honor and a privilege, especially in our inaugural year as a club,” said Maurice. “The players and leadership of USA Team Handball have been an incredible support to our Auburn squad as we’ve made great strides in our first season. We’re looking forward to showcasing the talented athletes and fast-paced action that team handball has to offer to the Auburn and Opelika communities.”
Representing Auburn will be a select team of local and USA Team handball players, and they will be competing in College Nationals against teams like The United States Air Force, Texas A&M University, West Point and the University of North Carolina.
The event is free and open to the public, so if you’re interested in learning about a new sport or watching great athletes (and possible future Olympians!), come to Beard-Eaves Coliseum on Friday, April 11 or Saturday, April 13 to watch your Auburn Tigers play the best teams in the country.
The schedule of teams is posted below.
