10/14/97

Bob Lowry (lowrygr@mail.auburn.edu)

BOWDEN WINS PRAISE FROM AUBURN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

AUBURN -- The board of directors of the Auburn Alumni Association has adopted a resolution praising Tiger football coach Terry Bowden for his accomplishments, which include a sterling record of 36-9-1 in his first four years.

The resolution was presented to Bowden prior to Auburn's Homecoming game Saturday against Louisiana Tech. Auburn won the game 49-13, running the 1997 season record to 6-0 and Bowden's Auburn record in four-plus years to 42-9-1.

The resolution noted Bowden's perfect 11-0 record in his first season in 1993 -- when he was named national coach of the year -- and his Auburn record 20-game winning streak, that included a victory over then-No. 1 Florida at Gainesville in 1994.

"Basically we felt there were some unfair, negative things said in a couple of newspaper articles back in the preseason," said Richard Mitchell, president of the Auburn Alumni Association. "At that time we determined that we wanted to do this resolution to show Terry that the great majority of Auburn people had a great sense of appreciation and affection for him and what he's done.

Mitchell said he told Bowden the resolution was drafted before the Tigers defeated LSU on Sept. 20, adding jokingly, "We're weren't just jumping on the 5-0 bandwagon."

The resolution said, in part, "Through his actions and deeds, Coach Bowden has helped enhance the reputation of Auburn athletics, projected an extremely positive image of Auburn University to the nation at large, and shown himself to be the epitome of an Auburn man."

It also noted that Bowden has been an "enthusiastic supporter" of the programs and initiatives of the Auburn Alumni Association, attending more than 175 Auburn Club meetings, hosting club events in his home and "conducting himself as a true member of the Auburn family."

The resolution was signed by Mitchell and Betty DeMent, vice president for alumni & development. Athletic Director David Housel was also present when a copy of the resolution was presented to Bowden.

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