One Last Roll at Toomer’s Corner

{via}

Toomer’s Corner. I can’t begin to describe what this landmark means to me. From the moment I first stepped foot onto Auburn’s Campus this place has held a special place in my heart. And this past Saturday, I participated in one last roll  of the beloved trees.

When I was a senior in high school, I visited the town that become the first place I could truly call home. Auburn, Alabama. Home of Auburn University. The place I spent over six years of my life in. That place that will always mean more to me than any other for reasons I can scarcely describe.

After the 2010 National Championship Win

Among a multitude of reasons why I love Auburn, Toomer’s Corner is high on the list. My very first trip to the plains was for the 2003 Iron Bowl. After an afternoon walking around downtown, exploring campus, venturing through Haley for a game day button, and lining up for Tiger Walk, I was already falling in love with everything about Auburn. The eagle flew before the game, making my decision a little easier. The roar of the crowd, singing the fight song, chanting along with the Mic Man, and the shakers joined together in unison only touched the surface of the unity and camaraderie that could be felt in Jordan Hare. As the last seconds ticked off the clock, solidifying the victory over Alabama, the mass exodus began to the place where I knew I would choose Auburn for the fall. The intersection of Magnolia and College. Two towering Oaks nestled at the edge of campus and downtown. As we scampered excitedly across campus, passing Samford, hoping over the seal, and making our way to the trees, I was confronted with one of the most oddly beautiful sights. Toilet paper. EVERYWHERE. Toomer’s Corner was covered with streaming white rolls and filled with people of all ages chanting War Eagle. And it was in that moment I knew that this was where I belonged. Such tradition, loyalty, and spirit all at once.

Since I began school as a freshman at Auburn, through my time as an intern at Wesley, grad school, and to this very day, rolling the trees post victory has been such a huge part of my Auburn experience. After every game of the undefeated 2004 season. Begging mom to visit on game day to roll the trees. Driving home after a friends wedding to catch the end of the Florida game and then sprinting three blocks to celebrate. After basketball games, swim meets, you name it. Teaching Auburn Experience when I was a senior to the freshmen, taking a “field trip” to drink lemonade & tell of how the tradition began. After the election in 2008, which was also my birthday.  Hoping for a win for the one game my brother got to come to so he could experience the tradition. Taking cap & gown pictures after each year with the iconic Oaks. Coming back after graduating to take part in such a unique activity. The list could go on and on…

Then in 2011, after one of the most phenomenal football seasons we had ever had, coming back from 24-0 in the Iron Bowl, going 14-0 and later defeating Oregon for the National Championship, we come to find out that the tress had been poisoned. By an angry Alabama fan no less. And while everything was done to save the trees, bring justice to the man who destroyed such a huge part of history and tradition, the Auburn family chose to remember, celebrate, and join together for one final rolling of Toomer’s Corner. Plans have been unveiled for the future of the space. And on Saturday, April 20, 2013 the annual A-Day game was held with a special celebration to be held afterwards. 83,401 people took one final walk to roll the Oaks. War Eagle to that!