Fans fought intense heat and large crowds at Auburn Arena to see their favorite Auburn players and coaches at the team’s annual Fan Day on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Fans began to gather around 9:30 a.m. to get in line for a chance to meet football coach Gus Malzahn and the senior football players.
A group called the Auburn Freaks was the first to congregate at the entrance to the practice gym, where the senior football players were signing autographs.
The group spent the weekend in Auburn and arrived early in hopes of receiving autographs from linebacker Cassanova McKinzy and wide receiver Ricardo Louis.
Josh Harrison and April and Austin Thomley were first in line for Malzahn.
Harrison has attended Fan Day for five years, while the event was a first for April and Austin, Texas.
The trio had to rise early to get to Auburn for a spot in the front of the line.
“We woke up around 6 and left at 7 to get here,” Harrison said.
The heat was a factor for the fans waiting in line outside, as the heat index creeped near 100.
“[The heat] is kind of why I pushed to get here so early, so we could try to get in the shade,” Harrison said. “It’s definitely the hottest year yet.”
Thomley said the key to staying cool was coming prepared.
“We brought the umbrellas and everything for our chairs,” Thomley said. “We’re trying to make it as comfortable as possible.”
Thousands of fans packed the arena for Fan Day in anticipation of football season.
Roman Davis, a native of Trussville, said he is ready for the Tigers to take the field.
“I’m looking forward to watching them [play],” Davis said. “I think this is our year.”
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