USA Today’s Sports Readers’ Choice Awards put Auburn in a familiar spot: near the top, and often all the way at No. 1. The Tigers landed first in four different categories and cracked the top five in two others, giving Auburn a major presence across the latest college athletics rankings.
The biggest wins came in the areas Auburn fans know well. According to the voters, Auburn has the best college football stadium, the best college mascot, the best college sports tradition, and the best college for sports fans overall.
Jordan-Hare Stadium took the top spot among “venues synonymous with their schools while creating a setting that makes every game an unforgettable experience.” The stadium’s reputation clearly resonated, with its upgraded light show and Swag Surf entering the fourth quarter helping fuel the “haunted” atmosphere that gets attention around the country.
Aubie kept the momentum going. The 11-time Universal Cheerleaders Association Mascot National Champion was voted the best mascot in college sports, finishing ahead of Michigan State’s Sparty and Syracuse’s Otto the Orange.
USA Today also noted that Aubie was one of the first three collegiate mascots inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006. As the newspaper put it: “Each year, Aubie makes more than 1,000 appearances on campus and across the country, bringing smiles to fans of all ages.
Aubie the Tiger is often imitated but never duplicated.”
Auburn also claimed the top spot for college sports tradition, with Rolling Toomer’s Corner taking the honor. The longtime ritual has fans gathering at Toomer’s Corner and throwing rolls of toilet paper at the trees after major athletic moments. The source pointed to celebrations tied to Jackson Koivun winning national championships, a football win, or Suni Lee placing in the Olympics as examples of when the trees get covered.
The Tigers’ fourth No. 1 finish came in the best college for sports fans category. USA Today described Auburn as a “sports mecca,” pointing to success across football, baseball, basketball, track, and golf, while also citing Hall of Fame alumni, SEC rivalries, and the school’s facilities.
Auburn was also second in the best walk-out tradition category, where USA Today combined the Tiger Walk and the War Eagle flight. The award called it “one of the iconic traditions not just in the SEC, but in sports.” Baylor’s “Baylor Line” edged Auburn for the top spot.
The Auburn marching band finished fourth nationally, behind the University of Illinois, Western Carolina University, and Ohio University. USA Today highlighted that only a quarter of the 380 members study music at the university and pointed to the preseason camp required in August before performing.
Even with all those high finishes, Auburn did not appear in the top 10 for best fight songs, best college sports towns, or best tailgating experiences.
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Auburn Still Has One Roster Decision Hanging Before The Opener
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