< Previous2023 AUBURN TIGERS 38 S 6-0 n 193 n RFr. Hoover, AL 1 QB 6-2 n 203 n Jr. Naperville, IL 80 WR 5-9 n 177 n Fr. Jackson, MS 52 OL 6-3 n 307 n Jr. Houston, TX 96 DL 6-1 n 296 n Jr. Toccoa, GA 91 DL 6-4 n 294 n Jr. Ellaville, GA 76 OL 6-5 n 307 n Fr. Valrico, FL 22 Jack 6-3 n 262 n Fr. Opelika, AL 42 LS 6-3 n 229 n So. Fairfield, CT 12 S 6-1 n 188 n So. Lawrenceville, GA 30 WR 6-3 n 205 n Sr. Pine Bluff, AR 17 LB 6-0 n 234 n RFr. Mobile, AL 77 OL 6-5 n 338 n Jr. Selma, AL 90 2023 AUBURN TIGERS AUBURNTIGERS.COMUNIVERSITY NEWS 91 AUBIE The Auburn University Board of Trustees approved constructing a permanent figure of Aubie outside the Harold D. Melton Student Center, to be funded through philanthropic support and the generosity of the Auburn Family. OFTEN IMITATED, NEVER DUPLICATED: Aubie has been a goodwill ambassador for Auburn University and a beloved member of the Auburn Family for more than 44 years. “Aubie is truly one of a kind,” says Corey Edwards, advisor of the Aubie Program, which oversees the mascot and the student leaders who manage the logistical support for his schedule. “What sets Aubie apart is his ability to transcend the sidelines and interact with alumni and fans on a personal level. He brings an unparalleled enthusiasm and joy wherever he goes — no one can see Aubie and resist giving him a smile, a wave or a hearty ‘War Eagle.’” Aubie’s come a long way from his beginnings as a two- dimensional cartoon featured on football programs, making a name for himself not only on the Plains but among elite collegiate mascots. He was one of the first college mascots inducted into the National Mascot Hall of Fame, was the winner of the 2014 Capitol One Mascot Challenge, and in 2021 won his 10th first-place title at Universal Cheerleaders Association Mascot National Championship — making him the mascot with the all-time most wins. When campus leaders began looking at improvements to the exterior of the Harold D. Melton Student Center, the Student Government Association partnered with Student Affairs to suggest a life-size Aubie figure in the updated outdoor space. “Adding the figure outside the student center is a perfect fit,” says current SGA President John David Jones. “As SGA leaders, we see it as a way to positively impact our campus by creating a must-visit attraction for prospective students, alumni and friends who share the Auburn spirit.” AUBIE E v e r y o n e lovesh e y ! Make your gift today at auburngiving.org/aubiefbGood Luck Auburn from your Friends in Business Since 2015 Serving nutritiously delicious meals for children. info@greensandbeans.net| www.greensandbeans.net Auburn’s/Opelika’s #1 Destination for AUDIO | VIDEO | APPLIANCE 3816 Pepperell Parkway • Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-7179 Brumfield Electrical and Communications, Inc. Full Service Industrial Electrical Contractor Office: (334) 756-4302 Fax: (334) 756-4301 Website: www.brumfieldelectrical.com P.O. Box 143 5333 County Rd. 388, Cusseta, AL 36852 E-Mail: becweconduit@earthlink.net Rays Collision Center Auburn “An Honest Collision Repair Shop You Can Trust!” Ray's Collision Center Columbus and Newly Acquired Tiger Paint & Body State of the Art Facility Collision Repair • Free Estimates Enterprise Rent A- Car located inside building 130 E. Veterans Blvd. Auburn, AL 36832 Phone: 334-821-4244 www.rayscollisioncenter.com We specialize in custom & Street Legal Golf Carts PHYSICIANS APOTHECARY YOUR COMMUNITY PHARMACY Since 1947 102-A EBLE STREET | GADSDEN (NOCCALULA) | (256) 543-0062 PHYSICIANS A POTHECAR Y 1011 FORREST AVENUE | GADSDEN, AL | (256) 547-8631 JACK ELLISON Painting Contractors, Inc. JACK ELLISON President Cellular: (334) 850-1260 jackellisonpaint@bellsouth.net P.O. Box 241265 Montgomery, AL 36124 Office: (334) 395-8078 Fax: (334) 395-8027UNDEFEATED SEASONS 93 1893: 3-0-2 2/22 vs. Alabama 32-22 11/6 vs. Vanderbilt 30-10 11/18 vs. Sewanee 14-14 11/30 vs. Alabama 40-16 12/7 at Georgia Tech 0-0 1897: 2-0-1 10/23 at Mercer 26-0 10/29 at Nashville 14-4 10/30 at Sewanee 0-0 1900: 4-0 10/22 NASHVILLE 28-0 11/10 vs. Tennessee 23-0 11/17 vs. Alabama 53-5 11/30 vs. Georgia 44-0 1904: 5-0 10/15 at Clemson 5-0 10/22 vs. Nashville 10-0 10/29 GEORGIA TECH 12-0 11/12 vs. Alabama 29-5 11/24 vs. Georgia 17-6 1913: 8-0 SIAA CHAMPIONS 10/4 MERCER 53-0 10/11 FLORIDA 55-0 10/18 vs. Mississippi State 34-0 10/25 at Clemson 20-0 11/1 vs. LSU 7-0 11/8 at Georgia Tech 20-0 11/15 vs. Vanderbilt 13-6 11/22 vs. Georgia 21-7 1914: 8-0-1 SIAA CHAMPIONS 9/26 MARION 39-0 10/3 vs. Florida 20-0 10/10 CLEMSON 28-0 10/17 NORTH ALA. A.C. 60-0 10/24 vs. Mississippi State 19-0 11/7 at Georgia Tech 14-0 11/14 vs. Vanderbilt 6-0 11/21 vs. Georgia 0-0 11/25 vs. Carlisle Indians 7-0 1932: 9-0-1 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 9/23 vs. Birmingham-Southern 61-0 10/1 ERSKINE 77-0 10/8 vs. Duke 18-7 10/15 at Georgia Tech 6-0 10/22 at Tulane 19-7 10/29 vs. Ole Miss 14-7 11/5 vs. Samford 25-0 11/12 vs. Florida 21-6 11/19 vs. Georgia 14-7 12/3 vs. South Carolina 20-20 1957: 10-0, 7-0 SEC SEC CHAMPIONS, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 9/28 at Tennessee 7-0 10/5 UT-CHATTANOOGA 40-7 10/12 KENTUCKY 6-0 10/19 at Georgia Tech 3-0 10/26 at Houston 48-7 11/2 FLORIDA 13-0 11/9 vs. Mississippi State 15-7 11/16 vs. Georgia 6-0 11/23 at Florida State 29-7 11/30 vs. Alabama 40-0 1958: 9-0-1, 6-0-1 SEC 9/27 vs. Tennessee 13-0 10/4 UT-CHATTANOOGA 30-8 10/11 at Kentucky 8-0 10/18 at Georgia Tech 7-7 10/25 MARYLAND 20-7 11/1 at Florida 6-5 11/8 MISSISSIPPI STATE 33-14 11/15 vs. Georgia 21-6 11/22 WAKE FOREST 21-7 11/29 vs. Alabama 14-8 1993: 11-0, 8-0 SEC 9/2 OLE MISS 16-12 9/11 SAMFORD 35-7 9/18 at LSU 34-10 9/25 SOUTHERN MISS 35-24 10/2 at Vanderbilt 14-10 10/9 MISSISSIPPI STATE 31-17 10/16 FLORIDA 38-35 10/30 at Arkansas 31-21 11/6 NEW MEXICO ST. 55-14 11/13 at Georgia 42-28 11/20 ALABAMA 22-14 2004: 13-0, 8-0 SEC SEC CHAMPIONS 9/4 LA-MONROE 31-0 9/11 at Mississippi State 43-14 9/18 LSU 10-9 9/25 THE CITADEL 33-3 10/2 at Tennessee 34-10 10/9 LOUISIANA TECH 52-7 10/16 ARKANSAS 38-20 10/23 KENTUCKY 42-10 10/30 at Ole Miss 35-14 11/13 GEORGIA 24-6 11/20 at Alabama 21-13 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 12/4 vs. Tennessee 38-28 NOKIA SUGAR BOWL 1/3 vs. Virginia Tech 16-13 2010: 14-0, 8-0 SEC SEC CHAMPIONS, BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 9/4 ARKANSAS STATE 52-26 9/9 at Mississippi State 17-14 9/18 CLEMSON 27-24 (OT) 9/25 SOUTH CAROLINA 35-27 10/2 LA-MONROE 52-3 10/9 at Kentucky 37-34 10/16 ARKANSAS 65-43 10/23 LSU 24-17 10/30 at Ole Miss 51-31 11/6 UT-CHATTANOOGA. 62-24 11/13 GEORGIA 49-31 11/26 at Alabama 28-27 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 12/4 vs. South Carolina 56-17 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 1/10 vs. Oregon 22-19 UNDEFEATED SEASONS AUBURNTIGERS.COMContractors Building for the Future of Auburn GAS LINES DIRECTIONAL BORING WATER LINES K YSER C ONTRACTING C OMPANY , I NC . 337 Elwood Drive • Pike Road,AL 36064 (334) 850-5990 RALPH O. “JERRY” KYSER, JR., President JEFF KYSER, Vice President • JAMIE KYSER, Secretary PIPE WELDING ROMANS 8:28 SEWER LINES Carol’s Carpet Flooring America TILECOUNTERTOPSLAMINATEHARDWOODCARPET MONTGOMERY PRATTVILLE (334) 603-8713 .. Dixie ACOUSTICALCONTRACTORS,INC. INBUSINESSSINCE1966 2Locations toServeYou Birmingham, AL205-251-8131 Montgomery,AL334-284-0890 SpecializinginAcousticalSolutions CALLUS FORANESTIMATE! Caraway Steel CHRIS CARAWAY P.O. Box 429 Auburn, AL 36831-0429 (334) 750-2785 Fax: (334) 826-5055 Email: cocsteel@charter.net For All Your Metal Building Sales and Erection Needs HEAT TRANSFER SALES & SERVICE CO., INC. H EAT T RANSFER E QUIPMENT S ALES & S ERVICE Phone (205) 621-2400 Fax (205) 621-2534 Cell (205) 796-4307 Website www.ht-sales.com John Hubner, General Manager jmhubner@ht-sales.com P.O. Box 2579 Alabaster, AL 35007UNIVERSITY NEWS 95 When you are looking for answers to life’s everyday questions, how do you know whom to trust? Sure, you could try Google or YouTube, but is the Internet the most accurate or reliable place to turn? For more than 100 years, the Al- abama Cooperative Extension System has brought trusted, research-based information to the citizens of our state and is the primary outreach and en- gagement organization for the land- grant mission of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. Originally aimed at disseminating agricultural and technical knowledge to farmers and rural residents, Alabama Extension today has evolved into a prob- lem-solving leader in a rapidly changing digital era, while still firmly grounded in agricultural research and education. Extension leverages new and emerging technologies in the field and on the farm — pairing them with traditional meth- ods — to take information directly to its stakeholders. Extension educators are partners in all 67 Alabama counties, bringing practi- cal ways to better our homes, farms, peo- ple and communities. This spring, Extension partnered with Auburn Outreach and the colleges of Nursing, Human Sciences and Phar- macy to bring better access to quality health care to rural Chambers County. Through the OnMed Care Station — one of only four of its kind in the U.S. — resi- dents can experience affordable, private and real-time visits with Alabama-li- censed health care professionals in a virtual setting. “The installation of an OnMed Care Station signals a new day in health care for our community,” said Rachel Snod- dy, Alabama Extension coordinator for Chambers County. “Patients can expect quality care without the long waits at a doctor’s office, and prescriptions are sent immediately to their pharmacy. The improved access is changing the health of our citizens for the better.” Extension is committed to fostering economic growth and providing the lat- est resources for improving our everyday lives, offering science-based programs and leveraging the power of the re- search engines at Auburn and Alabama A&M. Its educators share expertise in agriculture, forestry, wildlife and natural resources, human sciences, community development and urban programs. Many people — including 123,300 youths this past year — engage Exten- sion through the Alabama 4-H program. As the youth development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and implemented by Extension, 4-H em- powers young people aged 9-18 with the skills to become leaders in their commu- nities and beyond. “Alabama 4-H helps young people see themselves as unique, resilient, life- long learners who actively participate in their own future — setting personal goals and practicing self-determination,” said Molly Gregg, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s assistant director for 4-H programs. The programs offered by 4-H chal- lenge young people and adults through modern experiences to be the best ver- sion of themselves. Another way Extension makes a difference in the lives of Alabama res- idents is through its federal nutrition programs. For more than 50 years, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Edu- cation Program (EFNEP) has been an integral part of Alabama Extension, teaching limited-resource individuals how to improve their dietary practices and become more effective managers of available resources. The Supplemen- tal Nutrition Assistance Program-Edu- cation (SNAP-Ed) educates individuals and families on making healthy food choices within a limited budget. “Through these programs, we are able to help people make informed choices about their nutrition, overcome barriers to accessing healthy food and ultimately improve their overall quality of life,” said Sondra Parmer, Extension’s assistant director for federal nutri- tion programs. “Together, we can build healthier communities, one nutritious choice at a time.” As Alabama Extension continues to evolve and innovate, its commitment to serving residents of the state is steadfast. By providing scientific-based solutions, education and resources, Extension will honor its promise of extending knowl- edge and improving lives, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable tomorrow for all Alabamians. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY MIKE CLARDY AUBURNTIGERS.COM Alabama Extension: A trusted source of research- based information for more than a century Alabama 4-H is the largest youth development program in the state with more than 123,300 youths reached last year alone. With the OnMed Care Station, residents of Chambers County, Alabama, experience affordable, private and real-time access to quality health care. MIKE DUNNIVAN PAINTING LICENSE & INSURED 56 LEE RD. 216 PHENIX CITY, AL 36870 OFFICE: 334-540-2275 MIKE DUNNIVAN | OWNER CELL: 334-540-2275 | dunnivanmike@gmail.com Auburn was the springboard to my entrepreneurial adventure that led me to own and operate one of the largest concrete solutions companies in the southeast. I contribute my success to being open to opportunities even though they were not what I was looking for. Tim Rudder Entrepreneur / Auburn Alum IDS Concrete Cutting Opportunities knock all the time, make sure you are listening. CONCRETE CUTTING 888.IDS.CUTS 706-565-5305 rivercitydoors.com SOUTHERN BLOCKING Patent No. 10,655,326 ZEE-KLIP TM Pat No. 11,408,169 .COM LEAN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS Call Cret - (980)-722-1772 Office (334) 745-3548 Fax (334) 705-0960 Tom Rickles President Machining-Welding-Fabrication sales@davismachineworks.com 1318 Lee Rd. 42 Opelika, AL 36804 P.O. Box 2154 Opelika, AL 36803 DAVIS MACHINE WORKS OF OPELIKA, INC. Contractors Building for the Future of Auburn2023 SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 97 2023 SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AUBURNTIGERS.COM 2023 SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Team Aug. 26Sept. 2Sept. 9Sept. 16Sept. 23Sept. 30Oct. 7Oct. 14Oct. 21Oct. 28Nov. 4Nov. 11Nov. 18Nov. 25 ALABAMA MIDDLE TENNESSEE Tuscaloosa TEXAS Tuscaloosa SOUTH FLORIDA Tampa OLE MISS Tuscaloosa MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville TEXAS A&M College Station ARKANSAS Tuscaloosa TENNESSEE Tuscaloosa LSU Tuscaloosa KENTUCKY Lexington UT CHATTANOOGA Tuscaloosa AUBURN Auburn ARKANSAS WESTERN CAROLINA Little Rock KENT Fayetteville BYU Fayetteville LSU Baton Rouge TEXAS A&M Arlington OLE MISS Oxford ALABAMA Tuscaloosa MISSISSIPPI STATE Fayetteville FLORIDA Gainesville AUBURN Fayetteville FIU Fayetteville MISSOURI Fayetteville AUBURN UMASS Auburn CALIFORNIA Berkeley SAMFORD Auburn TEXAS A&M College Station GEORGIA Auburn LSU Baton Rouge OLE MISS Auburn MISSISSIPPI STATE Auburn VANDERBILT Nashville ARKANSAS Fayetteville NEW MEXICO STATE Auburn ALABAMA Auburn FLORIDA UTAH Salt Lake City MCNEESE STATE Gainesville TENNESSEE Gainesville CHARLOTTE Gainesville KENTUCKY Lexington VANDERBILT Gainesville SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia GEORGIA Jacksonville ARKANSAS Gainesville LSU Baton Rouge MISSOURI Columbia FLORIDA STATE Gainesville GEORGIA UT MARTIN Athens BALL STATE Athens SOUTH CAROLINA Athens UAB Athens AUBURN Auburn KENTUCKY Athens VANDERBILT Nashville FLORIDA Jacksonville MISSOURI Athens OLE MISS Athens TENNESSEE Knoxville GEORGIA TECH Atlanta KENTUCKY BALL STATE Lexington EASTERN KENTUCKY Lexington AKRON Lexington VANDERBILT Nashville FLORIDA Lexington GEORGIA Athens MISSOURI Lexington TENNESSEE Lexington MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville ALABAMA Lexington SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia LOUISVILLE Louisville LSU FLORIDA STATE Orlando (Sept. 3) GRAMBLING Baton Rouge MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville ARKANSAS Baton Rouge OLE MISS Oxford MISSOURI Columbia AUBURN Baton Rouge ARMY Baton Rouge ALABAMA Tuscaloosa FLORIDA Baton Rouge GEORGIA STATE Baton Rouge TEXAS A&M Baton Rouge OLE MISS MERCER Oxford TULANE New Orleans GEORGIA TECH Oxford ALABAMA Tuscaloosa LSU Oxford ARKANSAS Oxford AUBURN Auburn VANDERBILT Oxford TEXAS A&M Oxford GEORGIA Athens UL-MONROE Oxford MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville (Nov. 23) MISSISSIPPI STATE SE LOUISIANA Starkville ARIZONA Starkville LSU Starkville SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia ALABAMA Starkville WESTERN MICHIGAN Starkville ARKANSAS Fayetteville AUBURN Auburn KENTUCKY Starkville TEXAS A&M College Station SOUTHERN MISS Starkville OLE MISS Starkville (Nov. 23) MISSOURI SOUTH DAKOTA Columbia MIDDLE TENNESSEE Columbia KANSAS STATE Columbia MEMPHIS St. Louis VANDERBILT Nashville LSU Columbia KENTUCKY Lexington SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia, Mo. 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TEXAS A&M College Station JACKSONVILLE STATE Columbia VANDERBILT Columbia KENTUCKY Columbia CLEMSON Columbia TENNESSEE VIRGINIA Nashville AUSTIN PEAY Knoxville FLORIDA Gainesville UTSA Knoxville SOUTH CAROLINA Knoxville TEXAS A&M Knoxville ALABAMA Tuscaloosa KENTUCKY Lexington UCONN Knoxville MISSOURI Columbia GEORGIA Knoxville VANDERBILT Knoxville TEXAS A&M NEW MEXICO College Station MIAMI Miami UL-MONROE College Station AUBURN College Station ARKANSAS Arlington ALABAMA College Station TENNESSEE Knoxville SOUTH CAROLINA College Station OLE MISS Oxford MISSISSIPPI STATE College Station ABILENE CHRISTIAN College Station LSU Baton Rouge VANDERBILT HAWAII Nashville ALABAMA A&M Nashville WAKE FOREST Winston-Salem UNLV Las Vegas KENTUCKY Nashville MISSOURI Nashville FLORIDA Gainesville GEORGIA Nashville OLE MISS Oxford AUBURN Nashville SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia TENNESSEE Knoxville Click here for more on SEC Football 2023 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME • DECEMBER 2 • MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM • ATLANTA, GA (As of August 30, 2023 - Tentative and Subject to Change)WWW.READYMIXUSA.COM READY MIX USA Concrete Right...The First Time...On Time 334-737-1818 Ready Mix Concrete • Paving Water Proof Concrete • Flowable Fill Internally Reinforced Concrete Lightweight Concrete • Shotcrete Architectural Polished Concrete A Proud Supporter of Auburn University www.coshattco.com • 1-800-553-2730 Shelving. Furniture. Fixtures. Design. Installation M C W HORTER A ND C O., I NC. generalcontractors 10East4thStreet P.O. Box907 Anniston,AL36202 Phone:(256) 238-8545 Fax:(256) 238-1065 www.mcwhorterandco.com Auburn Location 1679 Lee Road 10 | Auburn, AL 36830 Paul@wwcompton.com RDJE, Inc. 770-251-2667 www.rdje.com Full Service Site Utility Contractor Sanitary Sewer/Water/Storm/Pump Station Contractors Building for the Future of AuburnOLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: SOFTBALL 99 How do you accomplish something that’s never been done before? There’s no blueprint, no step-by-step instruc- tions, no path to follow. You dig deep within yourself and forge your own path. It’s not easy, but it seems that way for Au- burn softball’s senior ace Maddie Penta as she continues to shatter records and leave her mark on the sport. “I think the motivation comes within myself,” Penta said. “There are always opportunities to do more, to be more. Why not keep pushing myself further? When you reach a spot where you feel like there is nothing more you can do, that’s when people tend to stay the same. It’s important to keep pushing yourself. I remind myself of that every day.” Penta turned in one of the most prolific pitching performances in school history during her junior campaign, helping Auburn to its most overall wins and its highest Southeastern Conference finish since the 2017 season. Among her many highlights during the 2023 season, she became just the second player in program history to record 300 strike- outs in a season, tied record for wins in a season and posted the lowest earned run average ever by a Tiger in SEC play. Her efforts were rewarded with Auburn’s first SEC Pitcher of the Year selection. The icing on the cake, Penta became the only pitcher in program history to earn first team All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. “Ever since I was little, I dreamed about being an All-American,” she said of the accomplishment. “It brought me a great sense of pride. I have my coaches to thank for that. I have my teammates to thank for that. I have everyone that’s in- volved in the athletics program to thank for that. They all help to keep pushing me further to show me what I am capable of. I had no idea even in my sophomore year on what an All-American does, but I guess I found out just by doing what I did last year.” She remembers exactly where she was when she found out she won both major awards, and she’ll be the first to tell you that they were a little anticlimactic. The first was in her hotel room in Fayette- ville, Arkansas, the morning of the SEC Tournament Semifinals. With a later start, Penta was still in bed when her room- mate on the trip, catcher Aspyn Godwin, tapped on her the shoulder to break the news that she was named the league’s top pitcher. “I’m half asleep,” Penta recalled. “I mumble ‘woah, that’s super cool’ and went back to sleep. When I got up later and actually woke up, it hit me. When we got to the field, I had this great sense of pride. It was awesome.” Her All-American status was discov- ered on an Instagram story. Back home in Chesapeake City, Maryland, Penta was in the car with her mother to help coach her younger sister, Skylar, and her little league team in their playoff game when she stumbled upon the news. While the pride and meaning behind her awards, records and stats aren’t lost on Penta, ever the competitor, her atten- tion is on the 2024 season, what is next for her and what she can do to top her junior season performance. Her eyes are set on a repeat All-America performance with a personal goal of finishing as a top- three finalist for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year. That journey starts in the offseason. Resting her shoulder during the team’s fall season, Penta is poised to come into her senior campaign stronger and better than ever. “Taking this time off in the fall is going to be good for me,” Penta said. “Giving my shoulder a break and being fresh in the spring is going to help with my longevity as well as possibly my pitch speed. My shoulder is a lot stronger than it would be normally because I’ve gone through so much rehab and physical therapy. I’m continuing to work on new pitches and my consistency. Those things will help me elevate my game.” While she may be over 840 miles from home, Penta has created a family on The Plains. It’s one that she cherishes and knows will have her back no matter what. That is why wearing Auburn across her chest and representing the program at the highest level matters so much to Penta. “Representing Auburn means ev- erything. I love this school so much. It’s given me amazing experiences. It’s given me a family that has my best interest no matter what. Believe it or not, throughout high school, I did not have a lot of those people outside of my blood family. Now, I have these people that will do anything for me and are setting me up to be suc- cessful in the future. That’s the best kind of love you can get.” While her days in an Auburn uniform are winding down, Penta’s not looking too far ahead. She doesn’t want to add any more pressure to her senior cam- paign. It’s just another year to play the sport that she loves. She does have her eyes set on playing professionally in Japan following her collegiate career, but she has something left to prove in the Orange and Blue first. Her lists of accolades and accomplish- ments are staggering. Her career stat line will be one of the best produced by a Tiger in the circle by the end of the 2024 season. The name Maddie Penta will be a staple in the record book for decades to come. She has cemented herself as one of the best Auburn softball has to offer, but how she wants to be remembered – her legacy – has nothing to do with the records set or trophies won. “I’d love for my legacy to be that I was a fierce competitor. Someone that worked not only until the job was done, but past that to bring everybody else up and to challenge myself to be the best person and athlete I can be. I want to be known as a person who truly loves softball. I know it’s so cheesy, but I’m not over it. It’s a great sport that brings me so much joy. Being portrayed to young girls and my teammates as someone who loved softball till my last day on the field is how I want to be remembered.” OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: SOFTBALL AUBURNTIGERS.COM BY TAYLOR SHIREY ALL-AMERICAN GIRL: MADDIE PENTA REFLECTS ON HISTORIC CAMPAIGN Next >