Trees at Toomers

Back in late January, a man who identified himself as Al from Dadeville called a notoriously slimey and Howard Stern"ish" sports radio show and bragged that he had poisoned the two 130 year old oak trees at Toomers Corner.  The trees are famously known as the trees that Auburn fans roll with TP after victories in various sporting events.  Nobody seemed to give this guy any afterthought, thinking he was just another crazed fan that was speaking out of his rear end.  Well, come to find out, he did poison the trees and not only that, he did so to the point that they are probably not going to survive.  This guy is a self-proclaiming bama fan and just by looking at some the pics on his facebook page, he is the kind that likes to wear something red or a bama hat or an elephant costume to everything he attends.  Well, come to find out, he of course did not attend the university but only pledges his loyalty to the team.  The reasoning behind the criminal act was, from what he said, was because someone had put a Cam Newton jersey on bear's statue after the Iron Bowl and because he had "heard" that Toomers was rolled after news hit the campus that Bear Bryant had died back in 1982.  The first did happen, a silly prank that was easily removed and no harm done.  The second, by all newspaper and news accounts never happened.  So, this guy was so full of hate for Auburn over a prank and a lie that he decided he was going to go and do something that would make him famous as possibly the biggest bama fan of all time.  Why else would you call a radio show and brag about it?  More information was revealed that he had also called an AU Ag prof and left a voicemail bragging about it too.  Either he is mentally unstable (more likely) or he is the biggest idiot ever. 

Unfortunately, despite efforts from some of the best horticulturists around, the trees are going to likely die.  This, in and of itself is not he greatest tragedy.  The greatest tragedy is knowing that my kids will never get to roll those same trees like I did when I went to school there and like my dad (their grandad) when he went there.  This goes for all families like mine.  The memories that have been made are priceless and I can remember the first time I ever rolled it.  It was such a feeling of being a part of something much bigger than myself and wanting to have that feeling again.  I guess that's why they call it "family". 

Most bama fans have been very hurt and embarrassed by this guy's lunacy, but there have been a few that have applauded his efforts.  Making facebook pages and tshirts that say "free harvey updyke" are crude and inappropriate and downright crappy.  But, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because I'm sure it's the same fans that wore the roll ducks roll and the yellow and green "A" shirts back in early January.  I know, I know there are those on both sides but to make light of a situation that many many people feel is important is rude and classless.  Mr. Updyke even had the audacity to flip off the tv cameras as he exited Lee County Jail last night.  Really, Harv?  Wow, you just showed why Auburn fans hate most bama fans right there.  Whether you want to admit it or not, you are showing the rest of the US and world (this story has been all over the national news) what kind of fans bama fans are.  I have many friends who are bama fans and bama relatives whom I love very much and do not act like this, but I am saying that he wanted to do this to be famous and like it or not, he is now the representative of UA to the rest of the world no matter what Mal Moore or Nick Saban say. 

This rivalry was getting to be a little too much for even me to handle over the past few years.  I really think it is because Auburn has risen to being a good team when most fans of this state thought Saban and the Tide were going to bring back the 70's and dominate again.  I really think most bama fans are so irritated and distraut over AU having success and even "gasp" winning the national championship during Saban's reign that they really dont know how to handle the situation.  Enter Harvey Almore Updyke and his actions.  I've heard many people say "whats the big deal, its only a tree".  True, it is only a tree but its not the tree itself that is so upsetting.  It's what the tree represents.  It represents tradition, history, family, togetherness, the Auburn Spirit, etc.  It is one of the things students want to be able to do first, before just about anything else is go roll Toomers Corner.  The only way i could ever put it in perspective for you is to give you this example:
think of your favorite place to go (really as a kid, but anytime will do).  It could be a playground, a beach house, the lake, a ballpark, a dance school, whatever.  Wherever you made your most memories with the most important person/people in your life.  Now, imagine someone coming along and either blowing it up, setting it on fire, destroying it in some way so that you will never again be able to experience it the same way as you have before.  Oh, they may rebuild it or setup something new but it will never be the same.  Your kids will never be able to enjoy it like you did.  Oh, you had hoped that when they got older they would appreciate it like you have and do, but not anymore.  That is how we as Auburn people feel about this act.  No, it's not just some trees, it's so much more than that.  Yes, it hurts and yes, it is sad, but it is not the end of the world.  As many have stated, there are far more pressing issues in this world that demand our time and money more than this, but as far as Auburn is concerned, it is a big deal.  And because I am a part of Auburn, it's a big deal to me as well.  Auburn will go on and the Auburn Spirit will go on (probably much more focused and stronger now, thank you very much). 

Men's conference

I got the opportunity to attend the 19th annual Men's Conference at First Baptist Church Woodstock in Woodstock, GA this past weekend.  Let me sum it up with one word: AWESOME!  In other words, I really really enjoyed it.  The topic of the weekend was The Attraction of Distraction.  It was basically about what keeps us from giving God our best and the things that distract us and draw us away from God.  It also applied to our spouses and children.  The things that I learned I can definitely apply to my everyday life and God really convicted of some areas of my life that are not congruent with God's Will.  I attended one of the breakout sessions that was how to be a better dad and I learned alot of things that I have not been doing very well.  Things such as:  do not discipline when angry, act like you want your kids to act (do not say "do as i say, not as i do"), kids want your approval badly but do not confuse approval for love.  Love your kids unconditionally, even when you have to discipline them and help them understand that no matter what they do, you will love them.  There were about 6500 men at this conference and it is just an amazing sight and sound to see and hear that many men worshiping God at one time.  An amazing and life changing time! 

Thank God recruiting is over for this year.  Auburn ended up with a great class: #2 or 3 on most recruiting sites except of course Rivals (who is owned and operated by a bama grad, go figure).  The future looks very bright for Auburn and the West will be very competitive for years to come. 

AU's bball team is terrible but they have some good players coming next year so I'm ready for this season to be over with.  Baseball season starts in about two weeks and Auburn should have a pretty good team.  I hope I can go down for a few games.  Anyway, til next time.....

Recruiting class

February 2 has come and gone and alot has happened since this past Wednesday.  First off, Auburn has signed around the 2nd or 3rd best class in America.  That is amazing considering the Tigers signed a top 3-4 class last year as well.  We got a few big names filling big needs for us.  The big names are OL Christian Westerman from Arizona, safety Erique Florence from Valley, DB Jonathon Rose from Leeds, LB Kris Frost from North Carolina, QB Kiehl Frazier from Arkansas, OL Greg Robinson, and RB Tre Mason from Florida.  These guys will all probably see playing time early and will be good sooner rather than later.  I am very excited to see these guys suit up and play for the Tigers. 

Now, for the ugly side of recruiting.  First Calloway:  Brent Calloway was an Alabama commit for a long time and then last month he decide he would get a better chance to play RB at Auburn (bama was going to play him at LB).  He decommitted from bama and committed to Auburn.  Of course what followed was a flurry of message board posts and tweets and facebook posts from bama fans saying that they hoped he would break his legs and that he is a traitor and many other terrible, hurtful things.  This is an 18 year old kid playing a game.  I understand that it is important to some people, but we are talking about a kid here.  His adopted father, Peaches, is a big bama supporter (take that for what its worth) and wanted him to go to bama.  I truly believe Brent wanted to go to Auburn but too much outside influence and pressure from his "dad" was too much to handle and he signed with bama.  That's fine.  go on and go the school who's fans crucified you for changing your mind initially.  Whats gonna happen when you dont perform well?  you think they will do the same thing?  I know one person who does.  anyway, i wish the kid all the luck in the world except against Auburn.  I DO NOT however want him to be injured as some rednecks of a certain program wished on him not one week ago.  Ridiculous! 

Now about Cyrus Kouandjo.  He is a big time OL from Maryland who has been considered a bama lean and ended up picking Auburn on signing day but did not send his LOI in yet.  Supposedly, he is having doubts about picking AU.  Really?  He is?  Im so sure.  I have read where bama coaches were immediately on the phone with his parents after his announcement.  I thought Saban said in his press conference that he wished coaches would leave kids alone that have committed.  Really Nicky?  How about you take your own advice.  Cyrus' older brother goes to bama and apparently the only reason they signed him was to get Cyrus.  That is just rumor and message board fodder but would you put it past Saban?  There is a reason he is the supposedly best recruiter in the nation.  Anyway, Cyrus is taking a few days to think it over and may decide today (friday) or later, who knows?  Even if we dont get him, we got a huge haul in OL and our class is very very good.  We should be competing for the West every year, barring injury and other things naturally. 

I try not to get too caught up in recruiting because its a big crap shoot anyway.  You never know what kid is gonna make it or fizzle out.  I read an interesting thing the other day:  there is only one 5-star recruit out of highschool that is playing in the Super Bowl this weekend.  ONE!!  That there is only one 5-star recruit combined on the two best teams in the NFL is amazing and shows you just how flawed the recruiting rankings are.  It is about getting the best players that fit into your program and coaching them up to be the best they can be.  I have extreme confidence in Coach Chizik and his staff that he can do this and keep Auburn successful in the coming years.