Aubie did not win nine national championships without any help. It was with the assistance of the ‘Friends of Aubie’ that he was able to take home the title so many times.
The Aubie Committee houses these friends of Aubie and gives members the opportunity to meet and socialize while they use their creative talents to make the mascot’s props and materials.
The committee’s goal is to make membership available to any and all students who desire to join. “There’s no fees, no attendance requirements, no prerequisites. Just show up hungry, bring some friends and have a good time,” said Kate Windham, director of community relations and events.
Windham said any student who wants to volunteer can show up to their meetings.
“It’s really a week by week basis. Attendance is not mandatory, and there are no dues required. It’s just a ‘come as you are’ meeting to help out Aubie and his friends,” Windham said.
The group meets on Tuesday evenings before every home game in Room 131 of the Student Activities Center. Each week prior to the meeting, Aubie will send an email reminder to each member that also includes his prop ideas for the week.
Windham said students do not have to be artistically talented to come help out. General ideas are given to members so they can trace, cut, paint and construct the props.
The committee’s sole mission is to be inclusive to all, the members believe student involvement is crucial in keeping Aubie one of the highest-ranked mascots in the country.
Monroe Moore, sophomore in information systems management, has volunteered with the Aubie Committee for about two years.
“It’s always a lot of fun to be at the football games and look over and see Aubie and say, ‘hey, look, that’s a prop I helped make,’” Moore said.
Moore said he believes that the committee is absolutely what keeps Aubie the best mascot in the nation.
“We are 100 percent behind what makes Aubie such a great mascot,” he said.
“One of my favorite props was a DJ table we made for Aubie,” Moore said. “It was really fun to make.”
The Aubie Committee just kicked off for 2017 and are striving to uphold and improve Aubie’s character.
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