President of Auburn University President of the University of Alabama
Dear Dr. Gouge and Dr. Witt,
I am sure that you are both well aware of the tragic and horrible killing of historic Oak trees on Toomer's corner in Auburn. This was a heinous act of the utmost hate. Yet, it was not the first act of vandalism this year between Auburn University and The University of Alabama. Repeated acts of vandalism committed against both universities have become the norm.
I graduated from the University of Alabama and I have been a loyal Alabama fan since the age of five. I have rooted against Auburn in the Iron Bowl for many years. I know the passion of our great rivalry. I know how much emotion can be involved in the competitions between our two universities. Whether it’s the Iron Bowl or a debate match, the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is always intense. I will not claim to be an innocent bystander. I have contributed to this rivalry with my voice and my words, but never my actions.
The recent acts of vandalism have taken the rivalry into uncharted territory. Passion and emotion are one thing, unbridled hate is another. Cheering on your team, joking about the other team, playful taunting your opponents…these things are to be expected. But, the vandalism takes it to new heights; these types of actions are not okay. Even the small pranks against the statues in front of Bryant Denny stadium are too much. The problem with pranks is that they always elicit a response. Eventually, someone crosses a line.
UCLA and USC have an extremely heated rivalry as well. Because of pranks and assaults on their landmarks, they now have to box up and guard them the weeks before and after rivalry games. I would hate to think that Alabama and Auburn would have to resort to such measures and not be able to look at and enjoy our landmarks during our rivalry week.
Perhaps, it is time for a cooling off of this rivalry. Maybe, we need to learn to keep our rivalry on the field and in the classroom and leave it there. I am not asking for all of Auburn and Tuscaloosa to come together in some sort of Kumbaya drum circle, but a message from both universities emphasizing sportsmanship and respect, on and off the field, might be apropos right now. Leave the rivalry at words and competition. Don't take it any farther than that. I would urge both of you to stress this point to your students, alumni, and fans alike.
We can still be rivals and compete as hard as ever; we just need to learn to leave it on the field.
Sincerely,
The Bandit Ref
1 comments:
Amen, Brother.
I too am a graduate of the University of Alabama and have rooted for Bama for many, many years. Also, I not hate Auburn, or any other University, for that matter. I am pro-Crimson Tide; period.
That being said, I strenuously denounce the vandalism perpetrated on our fellow Alabamians. It is beyond the pale, and cracks the door open to places where NO ONE wants (or should want) to go. This senseless act has hurt us all.
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