National Mascot Day is June 17
With National Mascot Day approaching this Saturday, June 17, we couldn’t pass up the chance to celebrate our favorite cool cat.
With National Mascot Day approaching this Saturday, June 17, we couldn’t pass up the chance to celebrate our favorite cool cat.
Aubie came to life on Feb. 28, 1979, proudly marching into Auburn’s SEC tournament basketball game against Vanderbilt, and he’s been our beloved campus icon ever since. Whether its hyping up the pregame crowds at Tiger Walk, being on the sidelines at athletic events, or representing Auburn at national competitions, he brings joy to the Auburn Family.
Timeline
Aubie’s changed a lot over the past 44 years. Browse our interactive timeline highlighting milestones from Aubie’s debut and beyond.
Aubie's existence began as a cartoon character that first appeared on the Auburn vs. Hardin-Simmons football program cover on Oct. 3, 1959. Birmingham Post-Herald Artist Phil Neel created the cartoon tiger that continued to adorn Auburn program covers for 18 years.
Neel’s animated tiger continued to evolve though the years, and his name, “Aubie,” first appeared on the football program for the Auburn v. Clemson game.
Aubie marched into the Birmingham-Jefferson County Civic Center and helped lead first-year Auburn head basketball coach Sonny Smith's team to an upset of Vanderbilt in his first appearance as a live Tiger mascot. Aubie returned to the arena the following day, and the Tigers surprised Georgia in the longest game in SEC tournament history. Before the weekend was complete, Aubie helped lead the ninth-place team in the regular season to the semifinals of the tournament.
The Aubie program launched the Aubie Calendar in 1981 as a fundraiser to help support all the props and costumes that make Aubie the beloved tiger he is. Aubie is excited for the release of his calendar each year and is proud to say that his calendar is the top selling calendar in Auburn!
Aubie won his first—of 10 over the next 30 years— Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Mascot National Championship.
Ever wonder where Aubie gets all the props for his skits and shenanigans? He gets a huge boost from the Aubie Committee, a group of creative students who get together weekly to help brainstorm, design, and create props for athletic events, pep rallies, skits, and more.
Aubie was among the first three collegiate mascots inducted to the Mascot Hall of Fame. To be nominated for Mascot Hall of Fame, mascots must impact both their sport and community, inspire their fans, and consistently give memorable and groundbreaking performances.
For the past decade, the Auburn Family has been able to kick off the holiday season with a new favorite tradition: pictures with Aubie Claus. The Aubie program launched Aubie Claus in November 2012 as another successful fundraiser supporting the program and Aubie’s.
Aubie reigned supreme as the big winner of Capital One’s 2014 Mascot Challenge. The national, fan-driven competition pitted 16 beloved mascots against each other, and fans voted for their favorite of the bunch online and via social media challenges. The dedication and creativity of the Auburn family and their love for Aubie helped push him to the top spot.
Thanks to a generous gift from Linda and Jeff Stone, class of 1979, a 1,200-square-foot exhibit honoring Aubie’s history and accolades opened inside the Melton Student Center. The exhibit is a must-see for anyone visiting the Plains!
Aubie was named the Mascot National Champion at the 2021 UCA Cheer and Dance competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. This championship win marked his tenth time to hold the national title—making him the mascot with the all-time most wins.
Aubie surprised leading actress and Auburn alumna Octavia Spencer ’94 in Los Angeles when she was honored with a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A new Aubie figure is making its way to the Plains. The Auburn University Board of Trustees approved constructing a permanent figure of Aubie outside the Harold D. Melton Student Center and adjacent to the campus green. The new structure, commemorating one of our most cherished members of the Auburn Family, will be funded through philanthropic support from alumni and friends.
A standing legacy
Aubie’s been a symbol of the Auburn Spirit for more than 40 years, and we’re building a figure on campus in front of the Harold D. Melton Student Center as a tribute to his special place in our hearts.
Your gift will help build a permanent campus landmark celebrating our beloved Aubie and support the Aubie program.
Give Today
This preliminary rendering for the Aubie figure shows the artist’s vision for its pose and scale, but does not reflect the final design for landscaping and other elements.
Aubie’s been a symbol of the Auburn Spirit for more than 40 years, and we’re building a figure on campus in front of the Harold D. Melton Student Center as a tribute to his special place in our hearts.
Your gift will help build a permanent campus landmark celebrating our beloved Aubie and support the Aubie program.
Give Today
