The Iron Bowl has developed a number of traditions since the Tigers and Tide first faced off in 1893.
Some traditions, such as Alabama's preference of a neutral site matchup at Legion Field in Birmingham, have been replaced by better, more modern features.
Other traditions, such as the presentation of the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy at halftime of the Iron Bowl of basketball, have prospered for more than 60 years.
Established in 1948, the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy is named after James E. Foy V, who served as dean at both universities, and the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Honor Society.
The trophy is traditionally presented to the winning side during halftime of the home basketball game between the two schools.
During the presentation, the losing side's SGA president has traditionally given a concession speech and sung the opposing school's fight song to the glee of the home crowd.
In a rivalry that is fiercely passionate, the presentation of the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy has long been a classy show of good will between the two schools.
That tradition experienced its first hiccup, however, in 2013, when University of Alabama SGA President Jimmy Taylor did not attend the presentation ceremony in the Auburn Arena.
Taylor cited icy roads, which caused the cancellation of classes at both schools for several days, as the reason for his absence.
Auburn fans did not approve. The Alabama basketball team made the drive, and media outlets from around the state attended despite the weather.
Whether Taylor's absence was legitimately because of the weather or merely sour grapes over the Kick Six finish of 2013 may never be known.
Regardless, the tradition was put in a precarious position following his absence, with many saying current Auburn SGA President Logan Powell should no-show to return the favor.
But Powell showed up Saturday, Jan. 24, and did his part in keeping an Iron Bowl tradition alive.
The Iron Bowl has had its dark moments off the field in recent years, but Powell's fulfillment of the tradition was a bright moment for both schools.
Eric Wallace is the sports editor at The Plainsman. He can be reached at sports@theplainsman.com.
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