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Auburn Golfers at 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | August 13

Golfers from around the world converged on Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis, Mo., for the 109th Amateur last week.The tournament combines aspects of stroke play with match play. Stroke play puts the individual up against the entire field, whereas match play is a bracketed style that puts golfers in head to head situations.

MMA Plants Roots in Auburn

By Sarah Phillips/ Staff Writer | July 28

Over the past few years, men of all ages, shapes and sizes have migrated from fighting sports such as kickboxing and wrestling to mixed martial arts.

Auburn student-athletes named to the 2009 SEC First Year Student-Athletes Academic Honor Roll.

By Jaclyn Dunn/Staff Writer | July 27

Thirty-three Auburn student-athletes were named to the 2009 SEC First Year Student-Athletes Academic Honor Roll.The awards were announced July 16 by the SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.

Three Auburn Football Players Make All-SEC Coaches Preseason Team

By Jordan Brantley/Staff Writer | July 27

Three Auburn football players were named to the SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Coaches' Team on July 16.

Lyndsey Jordan Wins 2009 Collegiate Reining Championship

By Sarah Phillips/ Staff Writer | July 26

On June 27, Lyndsey Jordan won the Collegiate Reining Championships at the 2009 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) after being chosen as one of the top 12 collegiate riders in the country.It was an exciting accomplishment for the Kentucky native as she represented Auburn with her win."It was challenging, but a lot of fun," said Jordan, a senior western rider and communications major.

Cross Country Team Hoping to Run the Distance Next Season

By Callie Garrett/Staff Writer | July 26

Auburn's Cross Country team is training to build their endurance and work out the kinks, while other teammates are in Europe breaking records this summer."Cross country is a beast of its own because of the weather, the terrain and the certain pain of racing," said Scott Novack, a senior in chemical engineering.

Athletic department shaves budget, saves sports

By Holly Hereth / Staff Writer | July 23

Colleges across the country are losing or are in danger of losing sports teams because of financial cuts, but Auburn is in the clear.

Women's Soccer Has Big Goals to Net This Season

By Courtney Johnson/Staff Writer | July 23

The Auburn women's soccer team is gearing up for the upcoming season. They said they have a strong, experienced group of seniors, specific goals and highly anticipated recruits."I'm excited to think that this could possibly be our best season ever," said Jenni Prescott, a senior in early elementary education.

Free Throws with Fortner

By Grace Henderson/Staff Writer | July 23

Although Auburn women's basketball head coach Nell Fortner has a list of accomplishments longer than a three-point shot, she still looks to those around her to improve the game, welcoming opinions and seeking advice from staff and players, alike."She shows great respect for her staff and team," said assistant coach Kerry Cremeans.

AU Equestrian looks for 3rd title

By Holly Hereth/Staff Writer | July 23

When an Auburn fan thinks of sports, football comes to mind, though it has been 52 years since the team has won a national title.After football, fans think of basketball and baseball, two teams who have never won a national championship.What most fans don't realize is aside from the swim team, the Auburn Equestrian team is arguably the most successful team in recent years, with two National Championships in the past three seasons.With an overall National Championship in 2006 and a Hunt Seat National Championship in 2008, the equestrian team is preparing for the fall, with hopes for its third national title, said Chelsea Anheuser, senior hunt seat rider majoring in marketing."I think the main goal is always to strive to be National Champions again," Anheuser said.

Auburn Quarterbacks Compete for Head Job

By Holly Hereth/Staff Writer | July 23

As the Auburn Football team prepares for the upcoming season with a new coaching staff, the starting quarterback position is still up for grabs.Neil Caudle and Kodi Burns are focusing on practice and working hard this summer, not who the starter will be."I'm not really worried about it," said Burns, a junior majoring in exercise science,. "I just go to practice everyday and work hard.

Tiger Fan Day 2009 Scheduled for Aug. 16

By Sarah Craft/Associate Copy Editor | July 20

Auburn's fans are some of the most enthusiastic in the nation when it comes to supporting their team, so it's no wonder the school celebrates a day just for them. Auburn's annual Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, Aug.

Scott Carr Joins Auburn Athletic Staff as Senior Associate Athletic Director

By Jennifer Beckett/Staff Writer | July 20

Scott Carr, recently named Auburn University's senior associate AD, external affairs, will leave his eight-year stint at Southern Miss and move to Auburn July 2.As senior associate AD, Carr must demonstrate experience with marketing, media relations, game atmosphere, contracts and sponsorships."At Southern Miss, I oversaw the marketing department and served as the main liaison with ISP Sports," Carr said.

New Tiger Podcasts Expand Range of Communications for Athletics

By Stephanie England/Staff Writer | July 17

Tiger Podcasts are giving Auburn athletics a new way to reach out to fans.Podcasts are multimedia files that can be downloaded to a computer or other device such as an iPod or other mp3 player, according to the Auburn Tigers Web site."I think it's just an easier avenue of information for all of our athletics," said Rod Bramlett, lead announcer and director of broadcast services for the Auburn ISP Sports Network.

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.