It’s no secret that we inherit most traditions from our families: favorite football teams, pre-game rituals and a shared dislike for opposing teams. As the 90th Iron Bowl approaches and the Auburn-Alabama rivalry begins to heat up, Auburn students in divided households are preparing themselves to go head-to-head with their parents' favorite team.
The rivalry, which began in 1893, has been dividing Auburn University and the University of Alabama for over 130 years. The two programs only took a break for 41 of those years after a dispute between teams caused by a lack of agreement on player expenses, officiating and even the date the game would be played. However, both teams settled on their disagreements, and the game has been played annually since 1948. The state of Alabama lives and breathes football, and with no professional teams in the state, the Iron Bowl has become one of the year’s most anticipated games.
Nick Meyers, a sophomore studying hospitality management, was a former Alabama fan before choosing to attend Auburn University to pursue his secondary education. He recalls that Alabama football was a vital part of his childhood.
“Growing up with a mom who rooted for Alabama meant I was an Alabama fan by nature. My first words were literally ‘Roll Tide,’ so it was all I knew. Honestly, growing up an Alabama fan was pretty good, as I grew up in the middle of the greatest dynasty sports has seen,” Meyers said.
Despite his upbringing as a passionate Alabama fan, Meyers has fully embraced the Auburn Family as his own, even if his mom “still scoffs at Auburn football” after every game. He acknowledges that Auburn falls short against Alabama most years in football but is far superior when it comes to its other sports and education.
“While football hasn’t lived up to the same standards Alabama has, I think Auburn all around is a much better sports school than Alabama. If you go through the list of sports aside from football, Auburn wins them all. I fully support Auburn against Alabama no matter how weird it felt wearing an orange and blue shirt in Tuscaloosa last November,” Meyers said.
Even students from the most committed Alabama families have chosen Auburn as their home. Mary Cecilia Ledbetter, a sophomore studying psychology and double minoring in sociology and Spanish, comes from a long line of Alabama fans. Her grandparents are one of the biggest fans of Alabama football in the family.
“My grandparents on my dad’s side even have their whole downstairs dedicated to Alabama football, with Alabama decor from rugs to Daniel Moore paintings lining the walls,” Ledbetter said.
Ledbetter recalled being an Alabama fan for most of her childhood, until second grade when she woke up loving Auburn instead.
“My dad loves to tell the story this way: He says that one night before I went to bed, I said, ‘Good night, Daddy. I love you and Roll Tide.’ The next morning, I woke up and said, ‘Good morning, Daddy. I love you. War Eagle,’” Ledbetter said.
Ledbetter remembered what it was like to choose Auburn University over the University of Alabama when making her college decision. She notes that after taking a tour of each school, she knew that Auburn was the place for her.
“Everyone describes it [Auburn University] this way, but it is so true. It is a big SEC school, while having that small-town feel that truly makes it feel like home. I am forever grateful that I get to continue my education here at Auburn, and I would not change it for the world,” Ledbetter said.
No matter where Auburn students come from, the Auburn Family is one of the best fan bases in all of college football, thanks to its committed and dedicated student body. Divided households prove that not even family traditions can keep them from full-heartedly embracing the Loveliest Village on The Plains.
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Chloe Glass, sophomore majoring in English language arts education, is from Daphne, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
