Aubie placed second in the UCA Mascot National Championship, but to Michael Reynolds and the other members of "the Aubie Family", it was more about the journey than the destination.
The competition took place on Friday, January 13 after months of preparation on behalf of Aubie and his team to create entry videos, props and routines.
Reynolds, executive director of Student Financial Services, is an advisor to Aubie and quite possibly his biggest fan.
In his 12 years of being an Aubie Advisor Reynolds has seen Aubie both win and lose, but he said he takes great pride in that Aubie has always placed in the top five.
“When he doesn’t win, it's heart breaking for them [the Aubie Family], but as a program we have to accept the results because we know we will be back,” Reynolds said.
Auburn fans are all familiar with the University’s mascot and his nine championship titles, but what they may not know about is the preparation taking place before the competition.
“After the last game, the Alabama game, they put all of their efforts into preparation," Reynolds said. "Probably 200 hours goes into preparation including making the entry video, setting up travel plans and designing his routine. That’s the tight schedule that they have.”
Reynolds said Aubie and his team's dedication is displayed during their work put in during the holiday season.
“The only breaks they have are whatever bowl game Auburn may be playing and a week for Christmas, and then its back to work," Reynolds said. "That really shows their dedication.”
This year there were a few changes to the rules of the competition, and Reynolds said this presented an extra challenge in preparing to compete.
Mascots were only allowed seven props as opposed to eight with nothing being attached them and Reynolds said the biggest challenge of them all was no longer being allowed to use copyrighted music.
“They come up with an idea/theme and make the skit revolve around that," Reynolds said. "It is very specific. The team has to be cautious when making the skit. You can't offend the judges, it's very strict.”
Mascots have a minute and a half to perform in front of a judge panel comprised of previous mascots which “nine times out of 10 Aubie has beaten, which makes me a little nervous” Reynolds said with a laugh.
Two assistants are allowed one minute to set up the props that had been measured and approved by the UCA judges, and any time exceeding the set up or performance time results in point deductions. Mascots are judged on crowd appeal and interaction, creativity, animation/enthusiasm, prop usage and overall impression, Reynolds said.
Although Aubie went into the competition ranked first thanks to his previous title and entry video being judged as the best by UCA, he placed second behind Goldy Gopher from the University of Minnesota.
“It’s hard for Aubie because he sets the bar so high that it can be especially difficult to top even his own previous performances,” Reynolds said. “It's extra heart breaking when he doesn’t win because of the blood sweat and tears that the entire program, and especially Aubie himself, put in all year.”
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