Much like any other day, the smell of chlorine wafted through the air in the James E. Martin Aquatic Center Sunday.
Young swimmers clad in spandex suits, swim caps and goggles wove through the crowd to line up behind the diving blocks.
Parents, some taking notes on their heat sheets, others snapping pictures or video footage, watched eagerly from the bleachers as their children swam in the Olympic-sized pool below.
It was the last day of the Ralph Crocker Invitational, marking the three-year anniversary of the death of former Auburn head coach Ralph Crocker.
"Ralph was one of my best friends," said Jeff Dellinger, Auburn Aquatics head coach. "He was such a genuine person, even to the most vehement component."
After Crocker died of cancer in January 2007, David Marsh, former Auburn head coach, and Dellinger, meet director, renamed the invitational after Crocker to honor his dedication to Auburn swimming.
Crocker, a former Auburn swimmer, coached distance swimmers from 1999 until his death in 2007.
"He was known to be a straight shooter, but also as a kind and good man," Dellinger said. "He never went out looking for accolades."
This weekend, swimmers from approximately 35 club teams across the Southeast gathered to practice their strokes, improve their times and donate to the Ralph Crocker scholarship for distance swimmers.
A portion of each swimmer's entry fee went directly toward the scholarship fund.
Marsh started the scholarship fund to recognize one male and one female swimmer each year.
"It gives them the chance to swim in Crocker's name," Dellinger said.
Marsh said he had known Crocker for 25 years before his death.
"Being an associate head coach was very appropriate for him because he helped in every aspect of the program," Marsh said. "He was the guy who kept us organized and provided critical wisdom."
Crocker had the ability to express his passion and intensity without having to say a word, Marsh said.
"Swimmers knew by looking at Ralph every day that he was there because he loved being there and loved working with people on the team," Marsh said. "He loved Auburn."
Various Tiger Splashers, the official hostesses for Auburn swimming and diving, and other volunteers helped with timing and organizational tasks during the meet.
"I really wanted to get involved in the invitational because I think it's a good way to spread awareness and shows how (cancer) can affect people close to you," said Tiger Splasher Amy Odell, freshman in early elementary education. "It's also a great way to raise money for the scholarship."
Sitting on the crowded bleachers with seed sheets in hand, Katie Icimsoy traveled from Birmingham to watch her 9-year-old son, who started swimming only a year ago, compete in the invitational for the first time.
"Anytime you can bring awareness to cancer research, it helps others," Icimsoy said.
More experienced swimmers from Auburn's men's and women's teams competed Friday night not only to improve their NCAA qualifying times, but also to recognize Crocker's contributions to the University and its athletes.
"The way I knew Ralph, he would have been humbled by the outpouring of support for the invitational and contributions to the scholarship fund," Dellinger said.
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