3/13/03

TWO AUBURN SOPHS, FRESHMAN TO BE 'AUBIE' IN 2003-04

AUBURN -- Three Auburn University students have been selected for the honor -- and the difficult task -- of serving as Aubie, Auburn's national champion mascot, for 2003-04.

Trey Mock, a sophomore from Marietta, Ga.; sophomore Matthew Grainger of Homewood, Ala.; and Chris Keenan, a freshman from Spanish Fort, Ala.; were chosen from among 17 candidates who auditioned for the Aubie.

Mock, who was one of three Aubies last year, will be the head Aubie.

The two-day Aubie auditions consisted of a planned skit on the first day and impromptu routines and interviews on the second day. Cuts were made after the skits and the impromptu portion of the tryouts. The new Aubies are named from among a maximum of eight candidates who progressed to the interview stage.

The Universal Cheerleading Association crowned Aubie the national champion mascot in January. It was Aubie's fifth national title, having also taken top honors at the UCA competition in 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

Aubie, who began as a cartoon, was created by Birmingham Post-Herald artist Phil Neel and featured on Auburn home football program covers from 1959 through 1976.

Aubie's last appearance on the game program cover was Oct. 23, 1976, when Auburn beat Florida State, 31-19, but Aubie returned to Auburnąs cover against Alabama on Nov. 30, 1991, Auburn's last home game at Legion Field in Birmingham.

Aubie came to life as the official AU mascot at the 1979 Southeastern Conference basketball tournament in Birmingham when the Tigers played Vanderbilt.

Aubie never speaks, but his animated antics entertain Auburn fans of all ages at sporting events and other special occasions.

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mar03:AU-aubie03

CONTACT: Debbie Shaw, 334/844-1300.