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May 26, 2011

TALKIN' TIGERS: All in, all the time

By Stan Veitch The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik had a simple message for the hundreds of Tiger faithful who gathered at the Cullman Civic Center for the annual Tiger Trek Thursday.

“All in means all the time,” he said. “We’re not always going to go 14-0, but if you love Auburn, you need to be all in — not just some of the time but all of the time.

“Anything different would be like me telling the team that if they’re up by two touchdowns in the third quarter, to play hard. But if they’re down by two touchdowns, they don’t have to play hard.”

The phrase “All Auburn, All In” was coined by Chizik at a pep rally after the Tigers won the 2011 national championship.

The crowd in the overflowing civic center was certainly all in, as most were dressed in Auburn colors and there were long lines for Chizik autographs, Aubie pictures and autographs and pictures of the national championship trophy.

An estimated 800 people jammed the auditorium as Chizik recalled the days, two years ago, when he led his first Tiger Walk, in the same path he took to the stage Thursday.

As Chizik went on to talk of the upcoming season, one could sense the confidence in him and in the audience.

He described having top 5 recruiting classes and wanting to improve on them every year.

“I want you to always be proud to wear those orange and blue shirts,” he said. “Before last season, we didn’t know what great looked like. Now we know what great looks like.”

Chizik restated the program goals he has always relished — graduate players and win championships.

He talked of the atmosphere in Jordan Hare Stadium — how there is no difference in the stadiums of the SEC, no difference in the concrete or the scoreboards. But he said that the atmosphere at Auburn is unique — that the fans make it special.

I’ve been to football games at several universities and even though I’m not partial to Auburn (or Alabama), I do have to agree that the atmosphere at Jordan Hare is more special than at some schools.

I’m not sure what the difference is, but it’s there. And it was in abundance at the civic center.

If the fans listen to Chizik and remain all in, all the time and if big recruits continue to sign with the Tigers, look for more greatness.

Stan Veitch can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 258 or at stanv@cullmantimes.com.

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