Auburn Tigers Football: 8 Reasons Why Auburn Is the Best Game-Day Experience

Saturday’s in the fall are held in high regard in the south. Weddings are delayed and families take vacations to go see their favorite teams play across the southeast. Among the greatest experiences in college football, Auburn game day stands out above the rest.

With traditions like the flight of the eagle and Tiger Walk, Auburn has some of the most unique of all game-day traditions. Toomer’s Corner has stood the test of time and receives young and old fans alike looking for the world famous lemonade made at the counter while you wait.

Jordan-Hare Stadium has grown its reputation as of late and has earned national attention with the rowdy fans and loud atmosphere. The recent changes to the campus in the past decade have also led to a walking campus and more fan-friendly tailgating areas. Auburn earns its “loveliest village on the plains” title and will continue to increase experience for fans on game days.

Tiger Walk

Tiger Walk found its way into Auburn tradition in the 1960s as fans would line the streets as the Auburn Tigers approached the stadium looking for autographs. The tradition took hold and fans began to line the streets of every game.

What has happened over the past 50 years is truly a thing of inspiration and point of pride for the Auburn family. Many universities use some sort of walk-in ceremony for their teams, but no one can come close to the crowds and traditions that are found at the Tiger Walk.

Auburn legends roam the streets before the game as well as the youngest of fans making it an experience that no Auburn man or woman will ever forget. Rain or shine, the Auburn faithful are awaiting their arriving Tigers to greet them and wish them well before every contest.

Toomer’s Drug Store

Toomer’s Drugs has been located at the corner of Magnolia Ave. and College St. since 1896. Lined with pictures from the past, the old drug store is a place that is a must visit for anyone that makes it to the quaint college town.

Fresh prepared lemonade is a treat that has earned its reputation as the best in the south and is a treat on a hot fall afternoon before or after an Auburn football game. Toomer’s has been and always will be a special landmark for the town and the University forever.

Not only can you stop for fresh lemonade but also a t-shirt or two as it carries memorabilia like most shops in the downtown area.

Tailgating and Eateries

War Eagle Supper Club

The tailgating experience at any school across the south is intense and full of good times and great food. Auburn has a tradition that transcends most others however with the RV’s in the hay fields.

All major programs in the south have a major following with fans that show to every game, however, the Auburn RV following has found a unique place in college traditions. The hay fields off of College Street on the way into town are designated for RV parking on game weeks.

Some fans will begin to arrive as early as Wednesday in anticipation to watch their Tigers play. Families across the south will save their vacation time to ensure the ability to travel to Auburn games around the south and country depending on the scheduled opponent.

Local eateries are famous for game days as well. Places in town like Cheeburger-Cheeburger and Mellow Mushroom do extremely well on game days. Even small shops like Bazilla’s and The Big Blue Bagel are hard to find seats in as fans flood the downtown area.

On the outer areas of town places like Touchdowns and Niffer’s have earned their reputation for good food and fun for fans. One other local establishment cannot go unmentioned, and that is the War Eagle Supper Club. The Supper Club is a must visit for anyone of age on game-day weekends. Just wear neutral colors if you don’t like the orange and blue.

Flight of the Eagle

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: The War Eagle of the Auburn Tigers flies down to Pat Dye Field before the game against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

On August 31st, 2000, Auburn fans witnessed the most unique tradition in college football. The Auburn eagle named Tiger made the first free flight around the stadium and began a tradition that is relished by fans of both teams prior to kickoff.

No matter your team affiliation, watching the flight of a majestic eagle around the stadium is quite the moving experience. The eagle flight has been witnessed at the Olympic Games in 2002 as well. It will continue to be the most unique game-day tradition and experience that any fan can witness in college football.

Rolling Toomer’s

Courtesy of trueauburn.com

The tradition of rolling the Toomer’s Oaks is rumored to have begun when Toomer’s Drug Store had the only telegraph machine in the city. The workers would throw the ticker tape from the telegraph machine into the street lamps, power lines and trees to represent an Auburn away victory.

The tradition of rolling the trees followed and has occurred almost every season since. A few times in the past, the tree rolling tradition has been shut down for the health of the trees and most recently the poisoning has put the future of the tradition in jeopardy.

Whatever the future holds for the health of the current trees, the tradition will surely live on as the fans will continue to celebrate Auburn victories in the streets around Toomer’s Corner.

Walking Campus

The fact that Auburn is an agricultural school helps its reputation as a beautiful campus. In the early 2000s, Auburn began to close some of its streets and make walkways through campus making it a true walking campus.

The new student center was built, and it serves fans as well on game day. The campus is a joy to walk around, and anyone that has visited the campus will agree that the landscaping is some of the best of any college campus.

When you mix in the small downtown that is imbedded beside the campus, it makes everything a walking distance away for fans on game day. Most folks will park in the lots around the city and walk around the campus and downtown area prior to and after games.

Stadium Experience

Jordan-Hare Stadium has seemed a little louder than usual as of late. The past few seasons have seen an increase in fan attendance and an excitement that only an undefeated season can bring. The Auburn faithful have made a point to keep the stadium rocking well into the future.

The turning point for Auburn and its rowdy stadium to re-enter the spotlight was with the downpour that occurred against West Virginia in 2009. The stadium was cleared for security reasons, but the student section remained. Singing along with the stadium music, the students refused to leave and electrified an Auburn team that night and helped fuel a victory.

The games against Arkansas and LSU this past season were games that also electrified the country as the stadium was intense the entirety of the games. Auburn people take pride in their team and their stadium and keeping a reputation for “The Jungle” as one that intimidates incoming opponents and ruins the sound for television broadcasts is a top priority.

Friendly Fanatics

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Auburn Tigers' fans hold up signs during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Auburn fans are some of the rowdiest in the south and make it known that they love their team. However, one of the better reputations and traditions that Auburn has is its friendly side. Last season, a column was written by a student of the University of South Carolina describing his experience when he attended a game this past season.

There was nothing but glowing remarks for the fans and how they were treated on the trip to Auburn and even went as far to say that Gamecocks fans could learn from the Auburn faithful. Sure there are ignorant morons in every fanbase, but Auburn seems to go out of its way to cover up for the tools in the group.

No matter what your colors are on a Saturday, there is sure to be an open hand extended at virtually every tailgate or a drink to be bought for the eventual sad sap mourning his team's loss to the Tigers. No matter what the game brings, the Auburn family will always try to be the most gracious hosts in the SEC.