Ask the AD
Nov. 11, 2011
An exciting weekend lies ahead for Auburn Athletics. Auburn and Georgia will renew the Deep South's oldest football rivalry on Saturday afternoon, and there is plenty of other action closer to home for Tiger fans not making the trip to Athens.
Our men's basketball team opens the 2011-2012 season at home against McNeese State on Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. CT at beautiful Auburn Arena. The Tigers will then host Kennesaw State on Monday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. CT. Season tickets and single-game tickets for both games are still available and can be purchased at www.aubtix.com or by calling 1-(855) AUB-2010.
Coach Tony Barbee's Tigers will be more experienced and improved in his second season at the helm. Auburn Arena is a great environment for basketball, but we need strong support and attendance from you to make it a true home-court advantage. So come out and support Coach Barbee's team, which will play an exciting, up-tempo brand of basketball. You don't want to miss it.
Our women's basketball team opens the season at Mercer on Friday, Nov. 11, with its home opener to follow on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. CT against Belmont. Coach Nell Fortner's team returns seven players who started at least one game last season. Season tickets and single-game tickets are currently available for all women's basketball games.
Auburn soccer to host NCAAs
The Auburn soccer team was selected to host the opening round of the 2011 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament after winning the SEC Tournament on Sunday. Auburn will face Utah State on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex in the first round of the NCAA's. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for students and youth. They can be purchased at the Auburn Arena Ticket Office and at the Auburn Soccer Complex gates beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
I urge you to come out and support Coach Karen Hoppa's team, which won three matches at Orange Beach last week to capture the SEC Soccer Tournament title. While it was our first SEC Soccer Tournament title, Coach Hoppa has been a consistent winner throughout her time at Auburn, having won the 2002 SEC regular season championship.
This marks the third time Auburn has hosted the NCAA Tournament First Round and the 10th time the Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament under Coach Hoppa.
Winning the SEC Tournament and hosting the NCAAs wasn't the only good news from Auburn soccer. All-American Katy Frierson, who has over a 3.9 GPA, was named the 2011 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Frierson also broke the Auburn all-time scoring record the same week. As we've said before, we want our student-athletes to leave here with championship rings on their fingers and diplomas in their hands. Auburn soccer has exemplified that this season.
Men's and Women's Golf, Equestrian in Top 5
Our men's and women's golf teams recently closed out successful fall seasons. Coach Nick Clinard's men's team finished the fall schedule ranked No. 2 in the nation, while the defending SEC Champion women's team finished the fall ranked No. 3 in the nation under Coach Kim Evans' leadership. It will be exciting to watch both of our golf teams during the spring season, which begins in February.
The defending National Champion Auburn Equestrian team is also competing at the highest level. Coach Greg Williams' team, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 6-0 record, will compete against Georgia in Athens on Friday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. ET.
Auburn to honor Pat Sullivan
Single-game tickets are still available for our homecoming football game against Samford University on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT. It will be a great day in Auburn as Samford Coach Pat Sullivan returns home to be honored on the 40th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy win at Auburn.
Teams from the Sullivan era have also been invited back to share in what will be a truly special moment for Coach Sullivan, an Auburn icon who exemplifies the Auburn Creed.
Tickets for the Samford game can be purchased at www.aubtix.com or by calling the Ticket Office at 1-(855) AUB-2010.
Mazzaferro Rhodes Finalist
Auburn received more good news recently when former diver Dan Mazzaferro became our fourth Rhodes Scholar finalist in the past three years. Our swimming and diving program, under the leadership of Coach Brett Hawke, has produced Rhodes finalists for three consecutive years.
Dan, a nine-time NCAA All-American whose success in the pool was matched by his stellar work in the classroom and his service in the community, is currently completing his MBA studies at Auburn. Expect to hear more from Dan, whose future is as bright as any student-athlete who has ever come through Auburn.
Support our student-athletes
In closing, thank you for all that you do to support Auburn. Remember that nothing means more to the student-athletes who represent us than your support and attendance at their events.
God Bless and War Eagle!
Jay Jacobs
Director of Athletics
