On game days, one can expect to see Aubie making trouble downfield, a visor on Gus' head, the Mic Man's booming voice and The Superfans standing front row painted waist-up with orange and blue.
The paint-up gang is officially an organization on Auburn's campus and can be found on AUinvolve. What used to be a bunch of friends drenching themselves in color is now something anyone can get involved in.
Allie Deyton, senior in marine biology, began painting for football games her first year. Deyton said before there was one specific group, there were many different groups that participated in different areas of the student section.
"Once we decided to make it an official club and organization, we all got way more involved and into planning," Deyton said.
"We had trouble after every year because people would graduate and we'd have to really search for new people," Deyton said. "Now that we are official we will have new people coming in every year, knowing what we do."
When Deyton began painting in 2012 it was difficult to find people that wanted to paint up and fill the spaces that the group had. After becoming an official organization, the group has acquired a large amount of students wanting to get involved.
Alongi and Deyton said the group puts together a list of possible phrases based on the amount of people painting up for a certain game. The leadership gets together and decides what is appropriate for the stands. The team wants to be "cheeky," not rude or disrespectful. The group tries to be as family friendly and sportsmanly as possible, Deyton said.
Robert Alongi, graduate student, said it's an interesting task to find a phrase for such a large amount of painters.
Alongi said having more painters is a thrill and he likes having a purpose at the games.
"I can just be myself," Alongi said. "Every day I have to be more mature and professional, but on game days I am just myself. I get to hang out with people I like to be with and just let loose and have fun."
The Superfans typically get to the stadium five hours before kick-off, and for popular games, they have been known to stay overnight on the grounds.
Planning designs, phrases and placement takes time, Deyton said. The most intricate design was the American flag paint from last year's season. Deyton said the group does face painting sometimes, as well.
The paint the group currently uses is Crayola. Katy Knutsson, senior in psychology, said the paint they used to use is no longer in stock anywhere in Auburn. Crayola comes off very well, but doesn't go on the bodies very thick, Knutsson said.
Knutsson said the group has a system of painting the team, but each person takes about twenty minutes to complete. The team spends hours together each week, allowing them to get very close.
"Everyone gets along so well and there aren't really any small groups," Deyton said. "We do a ton of other sports, so we are constantly together jumping around and having fun."
Deyton said the team tries their best to stay positive no matter the score.
"We want to be role models for families and kids," Alongi said. "This is a way to support the team you love without being the guy that's shoving the wins in other people's faces."
Those that have gotten involved with The Superfans have loved every moment of it and have come back to paint as alumnus, Deyton said.
"Most people say how brave and crazy it is, but then they try it and they are hooked," Deyton said.
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