Auburn athletics is known for its deep culture and traditions, and the cheerleading team is no exception. “Bodda Getta” and “Track ‘em Tigers” are some of the most well-known chants, but it is their uniforms that represent the core of Auburn spirit.
Cheer uniforms have not changed since the team was founded — except for font styles and colorways, including the addition of the power stripe.
“We are a very traditional program, and we try to be consistent with our uniforms looking like our flags, looking like our signs, so that any Auburn alumni or fan can instantly tell that we’re the Auburn cheerleaders if they see us at a game or on TV,” said Latisha Durroh, the current Auburn Spirit Coordinator.
There are 15 uniforms total that the team wears, 14 of which are in regular rotation. The traditional blue-and-orange striped rugby jerseys are reserved exclusively for the Iron Bowl. Since 1985, the team has been sporting the rugby jerseys each fall in the well-known rivalry game against the University of Alabama, making it one of the team’s oldest traditions.
Misty Palmer, Auburn cheerleader from 1995 to 1998, had no hesitation in naming the rugby jersey as her favorite uniform. Palmer believes traditions like these are integral to the culture and spirit of Auburn.
“When you keep something as simple as a uniform or a chant or a cheer the same throughout time, it always gives people something to relate to […] you can always identify a cheerleader by the uniform, but you can also identify an Auburn band by what they’re cheering,” Palmer said.
The cheer team is central to the Auburn athletics experience. Besides their presence on the sidelines motivating the Tigers and the crowd alike, they often represent the university at a wide variety of events, from the annual Auburn Dance Marathon to pep rallies at local elementary schools.
“Auburn cheerleading represents the tradition of Auburn […] when you keep traditions the same, whether you’re there this year or 40 years ago, you still feel a part of the family,” Palmer said.
Amplifying the deep-rooted values of Auburn is principal to the identity of the cheer team. Something as simple as a uniform can help past and future generations feel they belong.
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