By : Rusty Shackleford
Have you heard an Auburn fan yell "War Eagle"? Have you heard Auburn's sports teams referred to as War Eagles or the Plainsmen? "I thought Auburn's mascot was the Tigers ?" you say.
Well you're right. I am going to explain here what all the confusion is about.
Auburn's official mascot is the Tiger, the saying "War Eagle" is a battle cry. It also used by Auburn people as an all purpose greeting, like the way Hawaiians use the word "Aloha". The term "plainsmen" comes from the poem, "The Ossian Village" by Oliver Goldsmith. The first lines of this poem are "Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plains.." The founders of what is now the city of Auburn got the name "Auburn" from this poem. Sports teams from Auburn Univ. often are also called "plainsmen", but officially they are "Tigers".
Now for War Eagle:
According to legend, an Auburn student was wounded in the Civil War, and on that battlefield, the only other living being was a baby golden eagle. He took that eagle back to Auburn with him when the war was over. The "war" eagle went everywhere with that man, including the first football game ever played in the Deep South, Auburn vs. Georgia in Atlanta. While at the game, Auburn was losing, when the eagle broke loose and circled the field-Auburn began to play better. Every one watching began saying "Look, it's the War Eagle". Auburn eventually one the game. The eagle died immediately after the game. Ever since then, Auburn fans have yelled "War Eagle" to keep the eagle's spirit alive.
From now on, when you hear Auburn's teams referred to as "War Eagles", or "Plainsmen" you will know the real story.
