“And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.”
The Auburn Creed. The words standing as the fundamental foundation of values at Auburn University. But where did those words come from? George Petrie, professor, dean, football coach and tennis coach at Auburn.
From 1892-1944 he worked at the University. He began as a professor in history and ended his career as the pioneer football coach - introducing the sport to Auburn.
“He is given credit for Auburn embracing the colors of orange and blue,” said John Varner, library technical specialist. “There is suspicion that he actually played at Auburn’s first football game.”
Varner said the plethora of theories surrounding Petrie’s entire University career are often legend.
“In 1942 he wrote the Creed, but there are questions as to how and why he wrote it,” Varner said. “One says he had given a talk to female students during the war [WWII] and at that point reported to have shared the Creed with them. An alternative theory says he had been encouraged by students to write it.”
The values instilled within the Creed reflect much of Petrie’s Christian upbringing, according to Varner.
Before Petrie Hall was used as the geosciences building, it was the refuge of the football players.
“It was there before the stadium,” Varner said. “It was the place where the players would get dressed and shower. It was like the athletic complex of its era.”
George Petrie died in 1944, but the legacy he left behind at Auburn and the words of the Creed will remain forever.
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