Twenty years before Aubie became Auburn’s beloved live mascot, his personality was already shaping him into a college sports legend

Twenty years before he ever became a “live” mascot for Auburn University, Aubie the Tiger was already beginning to develop the personality, humor, and charisma that would transform him into one of the most recognizable and beloved college mascots in the nation. Today, Aubie is considered a symbol of Auburn pride and tradition, a figure that represents the Auburn spirit to students, alumni, and fans across the country. But the story of Aubie begins not on the football sidelines where he now entertains thousands, but rather in a much quieter place, on the pages of a game-day program that first introduced him as a cartoon character in the 1950s. That beginning set the foundation for the mascot’s eventual rise to national prominence, and it is there that Aubie’s unique personality began to take shape.

Aubie was first drawn in 1959 by Birmingham Post-Herald artist Phil Neel. The creation was meant to be nothing more than a cover design for Auburn’s football game-day programs, but the character quickly developed into something much more meaningful. Neel gave Aubie distinctive features, with a mischievous smile, expressive eyes, and a playful attitude that instantly resonated with Auburn fans. Unlike many other mascots of the time who were depicted in static or generic forms, Aubie seemed alive. He carried with him a sense of humor, often portrayed in scenes that poked fun at opponents or celebrated Auburn’s competitive fire. This clever personality, born out of artwork, was the earliest sign that Aubie was destined for a much bigger stage.

For nearly two decades, Aubie remained confined to the program covers, but his reputation grew steadily. Fans began to anticipate how he would be depicted for each game. His popularity spread not only among Auburn supporters but also among the broader college football community who admired the character’s wit and charm. Aubie’s ability to bring life to the page made him stand out among other mascots of the era. By the 1970s, Auburn University recognized that they had something special, something far beyond a simple drawing. What they had was a character with a personality strong enough to exist outside of ink and paper.

In 1979, Auburn made the bold decision to bring Aubie to life as a costumed mascot. This transition was not just about creating a character to cheer on the sidelines; it was about taking the very spirit that had been crafted in program illustrations and turning it into a living embodiment of Auburn pride. When Aubie walked onto the football field for the first time in 1979, fans saw not just a mascot, but the continuation of a tradition that had been growing for twenty years. The personality that had been developed in artwork came to life in movement, gestures, and interactions with fans, opponents, and officials.

What made Aubie so unique among college mascots was the fact that he was not a blank slate costume waiting for someone to create a personality. Aubie already had one, thanks to the artistry of Phil Neel. This meant that when Auburn students began performing as Aubie, they inherited a legacy of humor, wit, and spirited energy that was already deeply ingrained in the character. They did not have to invent Aubie’s personality; they simply had to bring it to life. This consistency has been one of the reasons Aubie has remained such a beloved figure over the years.

Over the decades, Aubie has become more than a mascot who pumps up a crowd. He is a cultural icon within Auburn University, and his reputation extends far beyond the campus in Auburn, Alabama. His mischievous antics, creative stunts, and expressive movements have earned him a reputation as one of the most entertaining mascots in all of college sports. Aubie has a unique ability to connect with fans of all ages. Children see him as a playful character full of fun, while adults appreciate the layers of tradition, humor, and school pride he represents. That versatility makes him one of the few mascots who transcends generations, appealing equally to young and old.

Aubie’s success is not just anecdotal. He has the accolades to back it up. Over the years, Aubie has won numerous national mascot championships, including multiple Universal Cheerleaders Association National Mascot titles. These awards recognize not just his popularity but also his technical skill as a performance mascot. Aubie’s routines often include elaborate skits, creative props, and perfectly timed comedy that set him apart from other mascots. His consistent excellence has cemented him as a benchmark for mascot performance across the country.

The path from cartoon character to live mascot is one that few others have taken in such a successful way. Many mascots are designed specifically as live characters, with their personalities evolving as they interact with fans. Aubie, however, began in reverse, with a fully realized personality before he ever donned a costume. That history makes him unique, and it is part of what makes his story so compelling. Auburn’s decision to preserve the essence of the cartoon Aubie in the live version shows how carefully the university has nurtured this tradition.

Even today, Aubie retains elements of his cartoon heritage. His expressive movements mirror the exaggerated humor of a comic drawing. His antics often feel like sketches that could have come straight off a program cover. This continuity between the original illustrations and the modern mascot keeps the tradition alive and connects current Auburn fans with the generations that came before them. It is a living reminder of the creativity and spirit that have always defined Auburn.

Aubie’s rise to fame also mirrors Auburn University’s own growth in prominence. As Auburn’s athletic programs gained national attention, Aubie became a visible symbol of the university’s identity. He represented not just the football team but the entire Auburn family, including basketball, baseball, and all other sports. He became a rallying point for alumni, a familiar face at community events, and a representative of Auburn pride in parades, media appearances, and charity events. His role expanded far beyond athletics, becoming a touchstone of Auburn’s culture and values.

For Auburn fans, Aubie is more than entertainment. He is tradition. When fans see Aubie dancing on the sidelines, riding a bicycle across the court, or engaging in a clever skit, they see a continuation of decades of Auburn history. Every wink, every wave, every pratfall is rooted in a legacy that began on the pages of a program cover in 1959. That deep connection to tradition is what gives Aubie his staying power.

The story of Aubie also demonstrates the power of creativity and imagination in college sports. While mascots are often viewed as secondary to the athletes on the field, Aubie’s story proves that a well-developed mascot can be just as central to a school’s identity as its players and coaches. He embodies the Auburn spirit in a way that no other figure could. His story reminds us that college sports are not just about wins and losses but about community, tradition, and the shared experiences that bring people together.

Looking back, it is remarkable to consider that Aubie’s journey began as nothing more than a drawing meant to decorate a football program. Few could have predicted that the playful tiger with a sly grin would one day become one of the most celebrated mascots in the nation. Yet from the very beginning, the seeds of his success were there. His personality, crafted carefully in ink, was strong enough to leap off the page and eventually into real life. That personality has carried him for decades and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Today, Aubie stands not just as a mascot but as a living symbol of Auburn University’s spirit, creativity, and tradition. He is a reminder that sometimes the most enduring traditions start in the most unexpected places. Twenty years before he ever roared onto the field as a live mascot, Aubie was already building the legacy that would make him a national treasure. His story is one of imagination, dedication, and Auburn pride—a story that continues to unfold with every game, every cheer, and every playful antic that brings joy to the Auburn family.