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Oh, All the Weird Things Athletes Do

By Anna Schierholz/Associate Sports Editor | July 16

For some, it's an old sweaty hat. For others, it's a ritual before every game. But for nearly all athletes, superstitions are standard.It's strange, really.

Lay-ups With Lebo

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 16

Coming in with pride and respect for the players, Jeff Lebo created a new atmosphere to build a team from the ground up.Lebo said he had many thoughts about the upcoming season."I'm pleased with the kids that we have coming in," Lebo said.

Schepperle finishes 70th at '09 U.S. Open

By Sarah Craft/Associate Copy Editor | July 16

Rising senior Candace Schepperle finished 70th out of the 156-player field at the U.S. Women's Open last weekend, according to Auburn Athletics' Web site.After carding an 8-over-par 79 in the final round, Schepperle finished with a tournament total 22-over-par 306.The U.S.

Special Teams Kicks Things Up For Season

By Callie Garrett/ Staff Writer | July 16

This year's special teams unit is working together this summer to become more consistent while making sure to get its timing down."In order to get all of the timing down just right, from the snap to the hold to the kick, it just takes a lot of practice and working with each other repetitively," said placekicker Wes Byrum, a junior in business.As a unit they are working mostly on the new protection scheme they have, as well as the new punt formation, said punter Clinton Durst, a red-shirt junior in human resource management.He said the special teams unit has a period of time at the beginning of practice where they do nothing but get everyone on the same page with formations and timing.Josh Harrison, a red-shirt freshmen long snapper, will be playing his first season this fall.

Bonner and Boddie in WNBA

By Justin Dorman/Staff Writer | July 9

Two former stand out basketball players reached new pinnacles in their respective careers as Whitney Boddie and DeWanna Bonner were drafted into the WNBA on April 9.The two players helped lead the Auburn women's basketball team to an 30-4record and its first SEC title in 20 years. Bonner was selected fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.

Auburn Athletes Brave Summer Heat to Get Better

By Jaclyn Dunn/Staff Writer | July 9

Auburn athletes spend all year showing off their skills, but it is the extra time that is put in that gives them the edge.

Nick Clinard Steps In as New Golf Coach

By Grace Henderson/Staff Writer | July 9

The men's golf team will soon be welcoming a new face to the team as Nick Clinard, former head coach at the University of Central Florida for eight years, joins the Tigers as their new head coach.Clinard hopes to bring both passion and experience to Auburn's program, but also making sure to keep a strong recruiting mindset and a determination to succeed."I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and I'm going to stick with what I know how to do, and that's recruit, and coach, and get the former players involved in our program and get the donors and boosters behind what we're going to do," Clinard said.

Men's Golf Review

By Courtney Johnson/Staff Writer | July 9

The men's golf team finished with a record of 55-79-1 last season. The team suffered the loss of six seniors from the previous year and began the season with a young team, but expected to get better as the year progressed.Mike Griffin, former head coach of the men's golf team, maintains that his only goal for the team was to make improvements."This year they started a new rule, to make it to the NCAA, you have to have a 500, which means winning 50 percent of your season and we won 41 percent, so that's why our season finished at the SEC Championship," said Gary Thorne, sports information director for men's golf."We had one senior this year with great experience, Glenn Northcutt," Griffin said.

Offensive Linemen Look to Destroy Defenses

By Justin Dorman/Staff Writer | July 9

Bigger, stronger and faster.That is what the Auburn offensive line is looking to become before the start of the football season in the fall.Last season, former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin urged his offensive line to shed some pounds in order to keep up with his fast paced offense.This season, Franklin's replacement at offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn who runs a similar type of spread offense, has a completely different message for his linemen: Beef up.In order to establish an effective running game, the backfield must be well protected, said Malzahn.

Athletes Make SEC Honors

By Jordan Brantley/Staff Writer | July 9

Some Auburn athletes have not only proven their athletic ability on the field, but their academic excellence in the classroom as well.

Courtside Talk with Head Coach Tim Gray

By Jennifer Beckett/Staff Writer | July 9

Since 2005, the women's tennis team has been improving steadily, claiming a share of the SEC title and breaking into national rankings.This growing success can be attributed to head coach Tim Gray, with his 20 years of experience."One of the crowning moments was beating Georgia when they were ranked No.

Fireworks, Baseball Make Great Birthday for America

By Patrick Dever/Sports Editor | July 9

On a hot day in the middle of the summer, there is no better place to be than a major league ballpark with a group of old friends.A summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Turner Field in Atlanta to see the Braves play.I went to the game last Thursday night when the Braves played against the Philadelphia Phillies.Going to a baseball game during the Fourth of July holiday weekend has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.I have been a die-hard Philadelphia fan for my entire life, so going to this game was a no brainer.I'd have to say that this game was the best experience I've ever had at a baseball game.

Women's Basketball Team Receives Promotional Grant

By Callie Garrett/ Staff Writer | July 6

The women's basketball team announced June 17 that it had been awardeda grant of $26,400 to help promote increased attendance in itsupcoming season."The NCAA started this program two years ago," said Mike Hales, assistantdirector of marketing.

Auburn Equestrian Team Hosts Camps and Prepares for '09 Season

By Stephanie England/Staff Writer | July 2

Between camps and individual workouts, the Auburn Equestrian team is staying busy this summer.Three camps are being offered to riders of all experience levels, said Greg Williams, head coach.

Auburn Football: Running Back Preview

By Justin Dorman/Staff Writer | July 2

The fall semester is on the horizon, and with it comes a brand new football season. Auburn Tigers fans have been anticipating and anxiously awaiting the first football game of the 2009 season on September 5.This year there is even more buzz surrounding the team, which now consists of a completely new coaching staff.Since the Auburn offense is dominated by its running game, the position with the most hype at Auburn is typically running back, where the likes of Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown among others have thrived and led Auburn to be appropriately nicknamed "Running Back University."This year looks to be no different as the Offensive Coordinator, Gus Malzahn, said he looks to implement a system that put up over 3,700 rushing yards for the University of Tulsa last season.Eric Smith, an undeclared sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts, has high hopes for this year's offense."It's a lot of fun, a lot of misdirection's, more deep plays, more run plays," Smith said.

Chipping With Coach Clinard

By Grace Henderson/Staff Writer | July 2

Men's golf will soon be welcoming a new face to the team as Nick Clinard, head coach at the University of Central Florida for eight years, signs on as head coach.Clinard not only brings passion and experience to Auburn's program, but a strong recruiting mindset and a determination to succeed."I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and I'm going to stick with what I know how to do, and that's recruit, and coach, and get the former players involved in our program and get the donors and boosters behind what we're going to do," Clinard said.

Cross Country Runs Through Summer and Into Fall

By Jaclyn Dunn/Staff Writer | July 2

With close to one month left before fall semester, the cross country team is getting into gear for another challenging season.

It's Been a 'Bodda Getta' Summer

By Justin Dorman/Staff Writer | July 2

Cheerleading falls victim to many common misconceptions. Some people deny it is a sport. Some think that cheerleading is about the football team and nothing else.