Student athletic recruiters, who serve as hosts for athletic recruits visiting campus for events, will soon cease to exist at Auburn.
Due to recent legislation passed by the SEC, only employees, graduate assistants or student-athletes of that sport may be hosts for these events.
Once the current group of student athletic recruiters finishes their term in August, the group will cease to exist.
Taylor Jackson, this year’s president of student-athletic recruiters, is sad to see the end of this organization.
She will no longer be able to assist SARs and help recruits and their families grow to love Auburn University.
“My favorite part of the job is the relationships that are formed with the recruits and their families,” Jackson said. “When they sign with Auburn, it’s a special feeling knowing that you played a small part in the process, and you get to continue the relationship with that family each gameday.”
Jackson thinks the legislation will have a detrimental effect on the recruiting experience, as well.
“Having hostesses close to their age helps them to feel more comfortable and allows them to open up,” Jackson said. “It also helps them to meet students, so when they actually come to school here they see familiar faces.”
Recruiters are typically placed with one family for the day. They bond with the family and give them insight into life as part of the Auburn Family.
“People really don’t understand what this organization means to Auburn University,” Jackson said. “Like I mentioned before, it’s an incredible experience that is being stripped away from Auburn students for no reason. I feel as if the organization is equally as important to students as it is to prospective athletes and their families.”
The new SEC legislation will be effective on Aug. 1, 2019. Some current student athletic recruiters feel sad to see the program end.
“I think it is unfortunate because SAR has been a huge part of my college experience,” said Alisa Mobley, a third-year athletic recruiter. “I have had so much fun these past three years, and I am sad that other students won’t be able to take part in the organization.”
In previous years, a new group of student athletic recruiters would currently be anticipating the fall semester.
This fall, there will be no group to take up the mantle.
“Fall 2019 will be my last football season as a student, and I will miss helping the recruiting staff and interacting with the recruiters and their families,” Mobley said.
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