The History of Auburn University's Colors: A Legacy of Orange and Blue
Auburn University, known for its vibrant spirit and rich traditions, proudly displays its colors of burnt orange and navy blue. These colors are more than just an aesthetic choice; they represent a historical connection to the university's origins and evolution. This article explores the fascinating story behind Auburn's colors, tracing their roots back to the late 19th century and examining how they have been represented throughout the university's history.
The Origin Story: A Borrowed Tradition
The story begins with George Petrie, a professor and historian who organized and coached Auburn's first football team in 1891. Petrie's influence extended beyond the football field, as he is also credited with selecting the university's colors.
Interestingly, Auburn's colors were not originally conceived on the plains of Alabama. Petrie was a graduate of the University of Virginia. Another theory states that "Petrie was asked by a reporter for the team's colors before the game and he decided there on the spot. Potts was an athlete at UVA and upon returning from a boating trip to England Oxford University with an orange-and-blue scarf, he suggested the colors to the school. "Word of the change quickly spread and Petrie, by that time a professor at the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Alabama, soon heard of it," Jernigan wrote.
Thus, Virginia's colors became Auburn's colors.
Early Uniforms and Color Representation
The earliest representations of Auburn's colors can be seen in the football uniforms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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- 1892: The first Auburn football team wore laced canvas jacket-jerseys.
- 1903: White-tan laced canvas "one piece jumper" with orange mid-section and sewn-on orange shoulder pads.
- 1913: A significant shift occurred in 1913 with the introduction of a blue woolen jersey featuring orange sleeve stripes and tan pants.
As the years progressed, the uniforms evolved, with various combinations of orange, blue, and white. These early uniforms demonstrate the gradual establishment of Auburn's color identity.
The Evolution of the Auburn Tigers Logo
The Auburn Tigers logo, like the uniforms, has undergone several transformations throughout the university's history.
- 1957-1970: The primary logo featured an anthropomorphized tiger wearing a sailor's hat with the letter "A." The color palette consisted of orange, dark blue, and white.
- 1971-Present: A new primary logo was adopted, featuring a large "A" with a "U" behind it. The color palette of burnt orange and dark blue with a white background remained unchanged.
The current style guide recommends PMS 158 for reproducing the burnt orange on paper, with PMS 172 as an alternative. PMS 289 is the designated index for the blue color.
Uniform Designs Through the Years
Over the years, Auburn's football uniforms have seen numerous variations, reflecting changing styles and trends. Some notable examples include:
- 1929: A white jersey with an orange tiger head design, the only jersey in Auburn history to feature a graphic image.
- 1932: A blue jersey with an orange uniform number and a blue helmet with orange stripes.
- 1946: An orange jersey with a blue uniform number and sleeve stripes, paired with a blue helmet.
- 1957: A white jersey with a blue uniform number and blue and orange sleeve stripes, worn by the 1957 National Champion team. This uniform is considered the birth of the "Storm Trooper" look, resembling Auburn's current away uniforms.
- 1963: A blue jersey with a white uniform number and white/orange sleeve stripes, paired with a white helmet with orange and blue stripes. This is the introduction of the "traditional" blue jersey.
- 1971: A blue mesh jersey with a white uniform number and white/orange sleeve stripes.
- 1978: An orange jersey with a white uniform number, worn for one game against Georgia.
- 1983: A blue jersey with a white uniform number and white/orange sleeve stripes, paired with a white helmet with orange and blue stripes and orange facemasks.
- 1993: A white jersey with a blue uniform number and blue/orange sleeve stripes.
- 1997: A blue jersey with a white uniform number and orange drop shadow.
- 2004: A blue jersey with a white uniform number and white/orange sleeve stripes.
- 2008: A white jersey with a blue uniform number and blue/orange sleeve stripes.
These examples illustrate the dynamic nature of Auburn's uniforms while maintaining the core colors of orange and blue.
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Auburn Traditions and Landmarks
Auburn's colors are deeply embedded in the university's traditions and landmarks, further solidifying their significance.
- Aubie the Tiger: The official mascot of Auburn University, Aubie is depicted in orange and black, wearing a navy blue T-shirt with an enlarged orange and white monogram.
- Tiger Walk: A tradition where players walk from Sewell Hall to the stadium, greeted by fans lining Donahue Drive.
- Toomer's Corner: The intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue, where Auburn fans celebrate victories by rolling the trees with toilet paper. The Auburn Oaks mark even features a wisp of toilet paper that looks like an eagle.
- War Eagle: Auburn's battle cry, shouted by fans at games and events.
- Jordan-Hare Stadium: Home to the Auburn Tigers football team, the stadium's atmosphere is saturated with orange and blue on game days.
- Samford Hall: One of the most recognizable landmarks on campus.
Auburn Athletics
The Auburn Tigers compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with a rich history in various sports.
- Football: The football team has a long and storied history, with twelve undefeated seasons, twelve conference championships, and eight divisional championships.
- Baseball: The baseball team has won six SEC championships and three SEC Tournament championships.
- Basketball: The men's basketball team has won three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC Tournament championships, while the women's team has won five regular-season SEC championships and four SEC Tournament championships.
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