Generations of families have made Auburn University the home of many traditions. There are several students whose grandparents, parents and siblings have walked the same campus years before them.
It's something senior cheerleader Evans Carr has known for some time.
Evans' father, Gregg Carr, was an all-American linebacker for the Tigers in 1984, and his mother, Juli Ann Carr, was a cheerleader at Auburn during the same time.
The Carr family has been present at Auburn home football games for as long as Evans can remember, so, according to Evans, it's only natural he would find himself a student there 30 years after his parents.
Despite his family's strong ties to the University, Evans said he didn't feel any pressure to attend his parents' alma mater.
"They just wanted me to go where I wanted," Evans said, "but, naturally, this is the place I've been coming to, and it's the place where I thought I fit. It's a place I feel comfortable."
Evans said he remembers coming down for football games, and, although he grew up playing football, he knew that he had other interests.
"When I was younger, [cheerleading] was something that crossed my mind," Evans said. "I mean, I enjoyed football, but I knew it wasn't my passion. I'm not saying that cheerleading is my passion, but it's definitely something I'm more passionate about."
Evans said one of the best parts of being a cheerleader is the connection between himself and his mother.
"It's something that I can share with my mom that no one else can ever have in my family," Evans said. "My dad knows about it, but he doesn't understand, my brother doesn't understand, and my sisters don't understand. My mother and I are the only two that knows what it's like."
When asked about whether she wishes it could be her running onto the field on Saturdays instead of her son, Juli said she's more than happy to watch her son experience it for himself.
"There's no jealousy," Juli said. "I had my day and have awesome memories. The only thing better than that is knowing that Evans is having the time of his life, contributing and making great memories too."
As much as Evans enjoys cheering, he said it's the people who make it as much fun as it is.
"You know, I enjoy cheerleading for the sport part of it, but it's the friends," Evans said. "All the people are awesome, and you get know all of them on a very personal level."
In addition to a busy cheering schedule, Evans is majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in business. He said his interest in both subjects makes it manageable.
"I'm definitely enthusiastic about engineering," Evans said. It's something that I've known I really want to do."
Evans' father was also an engineering major, played in the NFL and became an orthopedic surgeon.
"To major in engineering and do any kind of extracurricular activity that takes the kind of time commitment that cheerleading does, really, it tells that you're focused and have good time management skills," Gregg said.
Auburn is a big part of the Carr household, but the football field is only a fraction of why Evans and his family keep coming back.
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