< Previous-Call for pickups 334-705-8858 - Supporting Hosanna Home and His Place - 2,000 fresh pieces daily! 1750 Opelika Road, Auburn www.harvestevangelism.org AKRIDGE & BALCH, P.C. Attorneys at Law A Personal Approach to the Law 852 N Dean Road, Suite 100 Auburn, AL 36830 T: 334-887-0884 F: 888-615-9185 sbragdon@akridgebalch.com 1500 Frederick Road Opelika, AL 36801 COLEY TRANT Phone: (334) 749-8700 Email: jfuneral@jeffcoattrant.com Business Friends Working for the Future of Auburn ICE CREAM What’s better than ice cream? An ice cream truck that provides training and social opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities!!! Ice Cream, Auburn Football, Opportunity and Advocacy. It’s all SO EXTRA! Contact us at extraicecream@yahoo.com to book us for your upcoming events!Weagle's One Stop Home for all your tailgate needs Proud supporter of our home team! 305 North Donahue Dr 334-246-3380 Tucker D. Simmons, PharmD Auburn University '05 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Ste A, Opelika, Alabama 36804 334-364-9993 Fresh, Homemade Tortillas Served Everyday! Sunday-Thursday: 11-9 PM | Friday-Saturday: 11-10 PM 2487 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn AL 36830 334-826-9180 457 South 10th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-749-2222 www.deanandbarrett.com Convenience and Liquor Stores Farm and Industrial Fuels 256.447.9087 • www.grubmart.com Business Friends Working for the Future of Auburn 2590 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika Shop online at: www.homeoutlet.com Kitchens, Baths, Floors & More For All Your Tree Service Needs Kevin 334-740-2238 Anthony 334-758-1342 www.getemdowntreeservice.comWhereStyleMeetsSouthernHospitality Locatedat1957ESamford,SuiteB Movinglatefall to 2301OgletreeVillage, Suite105 ScantheQRcode tofollowuson socialmedia! photoby@sweatdropsphotographyON THE PLAINS 73 Football is all Eugene Asante has ever known. Technically, he started playing the game when he was seven, but if it were up to him, it would have been sooner. “I tried to play when I was six, but the rule was only seven- year-olds can play,” Asante said. “So, my brothers tried to sneak me onto the team. Coaches were asking me what my age was, and naturally I said six instead of seven. And they said I couldn’t play. I went home, crying because I couldn’t play.” A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Asante grew up watching his brother, Larry Asante. The elder Asante played safety for the University of Nebraska and was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. He played five seasons in the NFL for the Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders. “That’s where I developed a love for football,” Eugene said. “It’s so surreal seeing your brother on television and the an- nouncers saying his name. I was around eight or nine at the time, and I envisioned myself saying, ‘When I get older, I really think I can do that and try to be on that stage.’ It is surreal that I even got to that point.” Like his brother, Asante earned a Division I scholarship to the University of North Carolina where he played three sea- sons and recorded 62 tackles. However, he took his own path after that, transferring to Auburn for the 2022 season. He had other interested schools, but what drew Asante to The Plains was the Southern hospitality. “It’s different here in terms of how they treat people,” he said. “It’s the rich culture that’s within the university you see on a day-to-day basis, how much people care about Auburn ath- letics and how much people care about you. The traditions and history are strong here, so I gravitated towards that.” Last year, in Asante’s first year with the team, the Auburn football program faced its share of adversity with a coaching change in the middle of the season. “It was really hard on the program,” Asante said. “The big- gest thing we tried to do was rally around each other and rally around Coach Cadillac (Williams). He had a vision for us. We saw a change in terms of how people were buying into what Coach Cadillac was bringing to the program.” That was never more evident than when Auburn hosted Texas A&M in November. It was a matchup of 3-6 teams, and yet, the Auburn Family sold out Jordan-Hare Stadium in sup- port of Williams. Through all the trials and tribulations the sea- son had, that game is one Asante will always remember. “After we won the game, I was going to talk to a couple guys on the other team when I looked to my right and saw Coach Cadillac holding his son. I was thinking, ‘Oh man, this is such a cool moment.’ Then I saw Coach Cadillac start running to the student section, and I started running behind him. He’s run- ning fast as heck, and I’m trying to catch up to him. It just shows the passion he had and how much he really cared about it. I’m super excited that we still have Coach Cadillac on our staff.” The challenges faced in 2022 brought the current team, coaches and staff closer together than ever before, and the ad- dition of head coach Hugh Freeze and the culture he’s brought with him has only made that bond stronger. “The chemistry has really tightened,” Asante said. “I applaud Coach Freeze. His teaching has allowed us to become more family-oriented and one with one another. Those things trans- late to the football field, like loving your teammate like your brother. Everyone has each other’s best interest at heart.” Asante has also gravitated toward Freeze’s message of faith and family. “Coach Freeze is a big man of faith in Christ, and he speaks to the heart,” Asante said. “He is a strong leader. In the meet- ings, he says something quick and meaningful, and I have to write it down because it’s a little nugget that I need to incorpo- rate into my own life. I’m grateful to have him.” There’s still a lot of new and unknown around this Auburn team heading into the upcoming season. Asante has a new de- fensive coordinator (Ron Roberts) and a new position coach (Josh Aldridge), but through it all, he has kept a positive mind- set, showing passion for the game and dedication to his team. He’s also found the fun in football again. “We just want to play our best football and put our best foot forward for our fans. Throughout everything that has gone on, they have continued to support and love us. We have the lead- ership, the coaches, the scheme and the talent. It’s all about putting that to good use and going out there and playing every snap like it’s your last. We are establishing a winning culture.” ON THE PLAINS: EUGENE ASANTE BY LIV NAY AUBURNTIGERS.COMGOOD FOR YOU. GREAT FOR ALABAMA. Poultry EGGS ARE GOOD FOR EVERY MEAL. ALABAMAPOULTRY.ORG334-265-2732AUBURN AT WORK 75 AUBURNTIGERS.COM AUBURN at Work We put knowledge and discovery to work to improve the lives of our neighbors. This is who we are. This is Auburn at work. auburn.edu/AuburnAtWork A late night tradition in Downtown Auburn War Eagle Calzones • Wings • Beer Eddiescalzones.com or 334.329.5111 Call Us,We’ll Deliver to Your Tailgate or RV We Deliver Open till 4:00am BIRMINGHAMHUNTSVILLE SCHOEL.COM CivilEngineering|LandSurveying|Landscape Architecture Environmental|Water Resources|Laser Scanning + Modeling Utility Infrastructure TUSCALOOSABAND, CHEERLEADERS & TIGER PAWS 77 BAND, CHEERLEADERS & TIGER PAWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM 2023-2024 Marching Band Directors Marching Band Director - Dr. Corey Spurlin Assistant Director of Athletic Bands – Dr. Nikki Gross Percussion - Dr. Doug Rosener Director of Bands – Dr. Rick Good Graduate Assistants Colin Cureton, Sebastian Lozano Chris Udell , Lin Washington Tiger Eyes Instructors Ashley Evans (coordinator) Lauren Schmidt (majorettes) Amy Mutarelli (danceline) Tricia Skelton (flagline) Percussion Instructor Aaron Locklear Announcer Jim Jackson Freshman Advisors Acelynn Arballo, Brooke Gordon Katie Erin McCormick, Josh Thomas Section Leaders Flute / Piccolo – Maddy Crissey, Caroline Locker Clarinet – Laney Smith, Natalie Yanhko Alto Sax – Noah Denton, Parker Megginson Trumpet – Ric Browning, Wesley Tarrant, Thomas Tonsmeire Horn – Natalie Meinert, Josh Wolfe Trombone –Bailey Croker, Jackson Walters Baritone – Fredrick Brown, Brennan Hall Tuba – Jack Branham, Nathan Lee Percussion – Garrett Flowers, Greg Stringer 2023-2024 Auburn Cheerleaders Aubie Caleb Basselin Zeke Byrd Alivia Carden Paul Davila Austin Forrester JaMya Gilleylen Tanner Heath Lolly Johnson Ella Jordan Luke Martin Daniel Martin, Co-Head Madison McKenna Coleman Morris Dalton Odom, Mic-Man Julianna Perrigo Lillie Pruitt Millie Smoke Mathis Tindall Sawyer Tindall Hailey Tschetter Britt Ware, Co-Head Max Allen, Stunt Coach Latisha Durroh, Spirit Coordinator 2023-2024 Tiger Paws Allison Arzonico Elizabeth Ann Burton Hayden Clift Caroline Collums Alison Dojonovic Katelyn Few Margaret Ann Green Mary Carter Howard Ellie Hundley Skylar Johnson Ellie Korotky A’Nyia Lynch Ashley May Kate Richardson Morgan Robison Emma Sanders Sarah Grace Speed Abbie Stockard Hannah Vallely Lotte Wambsganss Darby Scarborough, Head Coach Lee County Youth Development Center Laura Cooper Executive Director www.lcydc.org Serving Children Empowering Communities Uplifting Humanity 50 Years of Impact Auburn, AL Gamblewinter.com www.crowntrophy.com Call or e-mail for your awards ct71@ct71.com Business Friends Working for the Future of Auburn2023 AUBURN TIGERS AUBURNTIGERS.COM 22 RB 5-9 n 209 n So. Atlanta, GA 25 CB 5-11 n 164 n So. Fort Worth, TX 9 LB 6-1 n 222 n Jr. Alexandria, VA 9 QB 6-3 n 218 n So. Hoover, AL 8 S 6-0 n 200 n RFr. Baton Rouge, LA 18 QB 6-2 n 205 n So. Marietta, GA 21 RB 5-7 n 170 n Jr. Sarasota, FL 28 WR 5-10 n 187 n So. Huntsville, AL 28 Jack 6-3 n 239 n Sr. Jackson, MS 53 OL 6-6 n 312 n Sr. Conway, SC 4 WR 6-3 n 203 n So. Monroe, LA 15 QB 6-4 n 201 n Fr. Nashville, TN 26 RB 5-11 n 189 n Fr. Mobile, AL 10 WR 5-11 n 171 n RFr. Austin, TX 91 P 6-3 n 204 n Sr. Adelaide, Australia 57 OL 6-3 n 268 n Fr. Birmingham, AL 23 RB 5-11 n 191 n Fr. Montgomery, AL 20 QB 6-3 n 192 n Fr. Birmingham, AL 2023 AUBURN TIGERS 79Next >