Running out on the field through a cloud of smoke to the sounds of “Welcome to the Jungle” while 87,000 screaming fans wave their shakers is an experience that most of us will never know. However, we do not have to join the football team to step foot on the grass at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Auburn Athletic Department started offering tours of the stadium last year to civic groups. As I walked through the gates of the stadium, I started wondering about the history of Jordan-Hare.

In 1939, the Auburn Stadium was constructed and could hold 7,500 people. Ten years later, the seating capacity was more than doubled. In 1949, it could hold 21,500 people and was renamed the Cliff Hare Stadium in honor of a member of Auburn’s first football team, Clifford Leroy Hare.

Throughout the next three decades the stadium was reconstructed several times. In 1970, the seating capacity reached 61,261. The Cliff Hare Stadium was renamed again to Jordan-Hare Stadium in honor of Auburn’s winningest coach, Ralph Shug Jordan.

Today, the stadium can hold 87,451, which makes it the nation’s seventh largest stadium. On Saturdays during home football games, Auburn becomes Alabama’s fifth-largest city.

Lauren Smith has been a Tigerette hostess for the last two years. The Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts organization is the official public relations team that serves as representatives for the Auburn Athletic Department. They are on the field during the home football games.

“Being on the field during a big game when the stadium is filled to capacity is completely overwhelming,” said Smith. “All of the faces blur together and it just looks like a sea of orange. Although I take it for granted now since I have been on the field so many times, it truly is an awesome experience to walk through the gates on to the field.”

The stadium is now available for tours during the off-season. By contacting the athletic department, anyone may set up an appointment to get an inside look. The tour includes a peek at the locker room, press conference room, suites, recruiting lounge, Tiger Walk Plaza and field.

The Tiger Walk Plaza is the end of the traditional Tiger Walk. It is an enclosed courtyard that features a large concrete tiger statue. The statue is surrounded with over 6,000 brick pavers inscribed with the names Auburn alumni and students. The Tiger Walk Plaza leads directly into the recruiting lounge. This serves as a reception area with televisions, couches, tables and chairs.

Before the 2000 football season, the locker rooms were rebuilt and more than doubled in size. They are now some of the best game-day locker rooms in college football. In the center of the floor is a carpeted AU symbol. There are ropes around the logo because no one is to step on it. The tradition started with the 2000 senior class.

The Auburn University Athletic Department provides free tours of all of its facilities to any civic group. The tours are offered Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail the athletic department at athtour@auburn.edu, call at 334-844-2991 or visit the Web site at http://auburntigers.cstv.com/facilities/aub-facility-tours.html.


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