For the past 30 years, a group of "cheerleaders" has helped lead the record-breaking Auburn swimmers and divers to numerous championships and Olympic appearances.
Started in 1978, the Tiger Splashers has evolved into a group of about 70 women supporting the teams.
Each year Splashers' officers look for potential members to bring spunk, creativity and passion to the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
"We try to recruit women that have a lot of Auburn spirit, love Auburn swimming and have a heart for serving world class athletes," said Tiger Splashers President Katie Newton.
The season for the swimming and diving teams starts in October, but it's a year-round commitment for the world-class athletes.
Many of them travel around the country and the world, competing at an international level.
The Splashers' goal is to do anything and everything they can to support the swimming and diving teams.
Every home meet, the Splashers time the swimmers.
During the week they make posters for the team and about once a month they have socials to get to know the athletes.
"We are the official cheerleaders," Newton said. "We take time away from the serious parts to have fun with each other and the team."
Every Monday, the group gets together in the team room at the aquatics center to discuss strategies to support the swimming and diving teams.
The officers conduct interviews each year to pick their next group of Splashers.
"We look for girls that are spirited and classy," said Nicole Sterghos, the Splashers' public relations chair. "Someone who encourages the team and loves Auburn."
Not only do they cheer on the team by attending meets, but they also get the word out on campus.
Tiger Splashers' spirit chair, Jordan Orr, said they want to get more awareness about the team around campus.
"We try to get more students to come to the meets to cheer on the team because I think it will help them perform better," Orr said.
In 2007, the team lost Head Coach Ralph Crocker to cancer. Then in 2009, they lost Head Coach Richard Quick to the same horrible disease.
Both the swimming and diving teams participate in Relay for Life on campus.
Some raise money for the charity by running marathons and half marathons.
Tiger Splashers is about helping raise funds to find a cure for cancer.
"It's very important to us and very close to our hearts," Sterghos said. "It's really neat to be a part of. I think it's a great way for us to honor the coaches we've lost to cancer."
The swimming and diving teams recruit members from around the country and around the world.
"It's exciting to be around such talented men and women that bring passion and commitment to Auburn swimming and diving teams," Sterghos said. "It's wonderful to be around athletes that set such high goals for themselves and encourage the best in their teammates."
The Tiger Splashers is looking for a committed group of people to encourage the swimming and diving teams to victory this year.
Tiger Splasher applications are due Sept. 11 for anyone interested.
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