Aug. 23, 2007

AUBURN - A new program created by Auburn student-athletes to promote good sportsmanship among Auburn players, coaches, staff and fans, will debut during the 2007-08 season. Named "Auburn Pride", the program was initiated and created by the Auburn Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in conjunction with the Auburn Athletics Department.

The program will be introduced this weekend when the Auburn volleyball hosts the War Eagle Invitational and at football's home opener on Sept. 1 against Kansas State.

"We want our legacy as student-athletes at Auburn to be that we always exhibited good sportsmanship and represented Auburn well," Auburn SAAC President Summer Ragsdale said.

The Auburn Athletics Sportsmanship Code will be read at every Auburn athletic event.

It reads in part, "We believe that sportsmanship is playing fairly, acting respectfully toward others and promoting the interest and good name of Auburn University on and off the field of play."

"I think it's something that we need," said Carl Stewart, a senior fullback on the football team. "It's a great program, and I'm going to encourage my teammates to be part of it and to show good sportsmanship."

The program also encourages all 21 Auburn teams to congratulate opponents in victory and defeat, celebrate victories without disrespecting the opponent and show respect to their teammates by hustling and working hard.

"I commend our student-athletes for creating this program," Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. "Promoting good sportsmanship is a major focus for our student-athletes, and we encourage our fans to join them in showing the type of class and character that Auburn represents at all of our athletic events."

For further information on the Auburn Pride program or the Auburn Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, visit Auburn's official athletic website, AuburnTigers.com.