Auburn University is more than a collection of buildings or rolled oak trees. It’s more than a football school or basketball school or southern college town. To me, Auburn is a feeling — a place where stories unfold, where people feel like family and where I’ve grown as a writer, student and person.
I grew up a Tennessee fan, and my Saturdays were spent cheering for the Vols with my family. My loyalty to Tennessee football was part of my upbringing, and I could sing the words of Rocky Top before I could walk. If you would have asked younger me where I wanted to go to college, I would have confidently told you the University of Tennessee. But life has a way of surprising you.
I began college at Georgia Tech, and I thought I had charted my path, eager to take on the intellectual challenges of a STEM degree and attend college in a big city. Yet, something was missing. It wasn’t until I transferred to Auburn — my grandad’s alma mater — that I discovered what it truly meant to feel at home.
My grandad often spoke of Auburn with a sparkle in his eye, recounting stories of his time on the Plains and the deep sense of pride he felt as part of the Auburn Family. He would tell me about riding in a limousine with The Lettermen or skipping ROTC class with friends only to end up picked up in an army jeep by the Governor who was there to attend that same class. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what made Auburn so special to him. But as I’ve walked the same campus he did decades ago, I’ve come to see it for myself.
When I first started at Auburn, I would have never imagined that my journey here would take me to the sidelines of Jordan-Hare Stadium or to press row at Neville Arena. As a sports writer and now Assistant Sports Editor for The Auburn Plainsman, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Auburn athletics up close. But more than the wins and losses, it’s the stories behind the games that have defined my experience.
Auburn is the roar of the crowd when the Tigers take the field, and I somehow always find solace in the noise of these moments: standing on the sideline as fans rush the field after the Texas A&M upset, taking in the deafening chants of a fanbase relieved to find a home victory; or traveling to Cameron Indoor Stadium to witness Auburn face Duke in one of basketball’s most iconic arenas, unable to focus between the screams of the Cameron Crazies and the yells of an Auburn fan base that travels.
It’s a coach appreciating the wins, an athlete sharing what it means to represent Auburn, or fans who have traveled hundreds of miles just to be part of a gameday. These moments have shown me how sports are about connection — between teammates, coaches, fans and a shared sense of pride that extends far beyond the scoreboard.
Writing for The Plainsman has shown me what makes Auburn, well Auburn. From buzzer-beaters to tough defeats, I've seen it all, but the stories that resonate most are the ones that show people the heart of Auburn: the deep-rooted traditions that tie generations of fans together, the athletes who give their all for Auburn, and the dedication of those who proudly represent the Auburn creed: “I believe in Auburn and love it.”
Auburn has also taught me the power of connection. It’s in the press box conversations with seasoned journalists who’ve covered Auburn for decades, in the camaraderie among fellow student reporters, and in the shared joy of telling the stories that go down in Auburn history.
I have had a front-row seat to some incredible moments at Auburn, both on and off the field, and I am grateful for the opportunity to capture what makes this university so unique. Auburn isn’t just a place; it’s a spirit, a community and a story that I’m honored to be part of. And as I write these words, I know that no matter where life takes me, I will always tell the stories of the Loveliest Village on the Plains.
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Grace Heim is a senior from Enterprise, Alabama, majoring in Political Science. She started with The Plainsman in January of 2023.
You can follow her on X (Twitter) at @graceeheim
