Auburn’s cheerleaders might be the ones in the spotlight when it comes to rooting on the Tigers at a football game, but not far away is someone just as crucial to that show of support. Meet Latisha Durroh.
As Auburn’s spirit coordinator, she’s the one cheering on the cheerleaders and helping them raise the level of excitement as part of the gameday experience.
“It’s been an amazing experience and a lot of fun and hard work,” said Durroh. “Every day I feel like I have the best job in the country. I get to go and work with some of the best kids in the country and the best student-athletes.”
In her role, Durroh oversees the Auburn cheerleaders and Tiger Paws. Durroh has been the heartbeat of the program throughout her 20 years with the cheerleading squad. In addition to supporting athletic events, she also works in community relations and community service with the coaches and student-athletes. She started as a volunteer assistant advisor in 2000 and became the spirit coordinator in 2006 when her role was established as a full-time position.
Durroh is a veteran on the sidelines, but each season brings its new challenges and rewards.
“This year half of our squad is brand new,” she said. “That has challenges, but it’s amazing because you can watch them from the day they start until now. It’s amazing how much they love Auburn and how hard they work for Auburn.”
Durroh’s passion for her job and Auburn University has not dimmed throughout the years.
“It’s great to see Auburn through their eyes,” said Durroh. “I graduated from Auburn, and it’s kind of like you live your senior year all over again through them. It’s a great experience.”
Before each football season, the squad is dedicated to cheerleading from Aug. 1 until classes start. Preseason includes practicing two to three times a day, strength conditioning, meetings, appearances, photo shoots and signing autographs on posters.
“It’s kind of like football camp to prepare your team for the year,” she said.
The cheerleaders even receive a pep talk from head football coach Gus Malzahn to stir anticipation and excitement.
“You want to try to make it fun, but the bottom line is we have a lot of work to do to get ready for football season,” Durroh said.
Before a home football game, Durroh and the squad host mini pep rallies at various places on campus and take photos with fans. Pregame tasks in Jordan-Hare Stadium include setting up cheer signs, giant Auburn flags and water coolers and preparing snacks for the visiting team’s squad.
“We love being a part of the gameday experience, and we are grateful that we get to be a small part of that,” she said. “It feels like this is what I was made to do.”
Durroh said one of the squad’s favorite traditions is wearing the rugby uniform at the Iron Bowl. The tradition started in the ‘80s, and it is the only time the cheerleaders sport the classic navy and orange stripes.
Durroh, the cheerleaders and Tiger Paws appear at football games, men’s and women’s basketball games, volleyball games, gymnastics meets and soccer games. Other events for Auburn Athletics include Fan Day, postseason send-offs and SEC and National Championship celebrations.
The teams attend more than 100 community events per year including pep rallies at local schools, day care centers, nursing homes, Hey Day, the Beat Bama Food Drive, Auburn University Dance Marathon, Miracle League, Relay For Life, Shine Prom, BraveHearts Center for Place and Purpose, Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ banquets and University Program Council concerts.