On the field, Auburn showcased a new yet familiar product in new head coach Gus Malzahn’s first spring at the reins. Tomorrow morning, Toomer’s Oaks will be uprooted, but they’ll be replaced by a new pair of oaks that are expected to allow College and Magnolia to maintain its historic character. Instead, Auburn bid their beloved oaks a fond farewell.Īnd with so much going on externally for the Auburn football program (Auburn’s athletic department issued a press-release on Monday in regards to the Roopstigo allegations), the overriding theme from the day still seemed to be celebration and rebirth. However, on Saturday, SBNation college football editor Jason Kirk reported almost no traces of the anger you’d expect from a community that’s had one of its symbols ripped from its clutches. Updyke will spend a minimum of six months in jail after pleading guilty to criminal damage of an agricultural facility. On Tuesday, they’ll be removed.īy now you’re aware of the story of Harvey Almorn Updyke, Jr., who hatefully poisoned the trees with Spike 80DF after an Auburn fan adorned Bear Bryant’s statue with a Cam Newton jersey outside Bryant-Denny Stadium following Auburn’s 2010 victory in the Iron Bowl on their way to a BCS national title.

And in one final tribute to that treasured landmark on the corner of College and Magnolia that so many Auburn faithful hold so dear, 83,000 fans showed up at Jordan-Hare Stadium to welcome new head coach Gus Malzahn and to say goodbye to Toomer’s Oaks.Įverywhere else in the country, the idea of thousands of people toilet papering a pair of twin oaks in the middle of town would seem juvenile, but it’s served as a unifying experience for the Auburn community for quite some time and the trees themselves have cast a shadow on that corner for 80+ years. On Saturday, the Auburn Tigers hosted their annual spring game, known lovingly as A-Day, but not to be confused with the one that took place 160 miles to Auburn’s west. Generations of fathers teach their sons, and on Saturdays in the fall the fruits of their wisdom leave one of the most beautiful sights in college football when Toomer’s Oaks are blanketed in white. It’s a technique that’s been mastered in Auburn, Alabama. You unroll a couple feet worth of two-ply and put your hand underneath the tail and let one fly–straight over the top–while snapping the wrist, spinning the roll and leaving a trail of TP that matches its flight. In order to arc that perfectly unwinding roll of toilet paper it takes a certain technique. It’s a little creepy, and a little cool, The three generations go my dad, me, and my nephew, each who grew up watching their own generations Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn.By Ryan Wooden 10 years ago Auburn, AL, USA Thousands of Auburn fans roll the Toomer I took my nephew to the A-Day game who is the biggest Cam Newton fan ever, but of course he doesn’t remember watching Bo Jackson run down the field, and neither do I remember watching Pat Sullivan throw a pass, and my dad, who was also at the A-Day game, can remember just about every game and play Pat Sullivan was in. Each of the three represent a unique generation.

The thing that really amazed me about these three athletes, and their corresponding Heisman Trophies, is their span of time. The detail is pretty exquisite even if you aren’t an Auburn fan, they are detailed all the way to the cleats each wore, with a nice “AU” on the back of Sullivan’s shoe. I’m sure I will take some more additional shots of the statues later when there aren’t any crowds clamoring to get at them. These shots are of the three statues that now reside at the from entrance (east side) of Jordan-Hare Stadium, taken last week before the A-Day game.

We did not come early for the unavailing of the statues, but since we live in Auburn, we can come down and see them any time we like I guess. Before the annual Auburn A-Day Game this year (see Auburn Tigers Football A-Day Game Photos For 2012 from last weekend), Auburn unveiled the new Heisman Trophy statues, one by one, Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton, who accepted their honors with a short speech at the ceremony ( you can watch all three videos here from AL.com).

Cam newton auburn statue