by Alesia Bradley

Some people plan things out to thelast detail. Others prefer not tomake plans, but would rather just

see how things play out.Senior wide receiver Anthony Mix is

of the latter mindset.“Only God knows what the future

might bring,” Mix said. “I just go withlife.”

Life was something that could’vebeen cut short for Mix at an early age.When he was a toddler, he was sick and

spent plenty of time in doctors’ officeswhile they tried to figure out exactlywhat was ailing him.

“I couldn’t really walk on my own,”he said. “I was just real sick. Nobodyever knew what was wrong, but eventu-ally I just got better.”

Even today, Mix isn’t sure what waswrong with him during his pre-kinder-garten years, but is thankful his life canbe spent on the football field now ratherthan in doctors’ offices.

One of the people who was therewith him through that time andthroughout his life has been his mother,Carolyn. Mix wants nothing more thanto make her proud.

“I’m her first child to go off to col-lege, and I don’t want to come all of the

way here and make a mistake,” Mixsaid. “I just don’t want to disappointmy mom. I want to make her happy.”

Another important person in hislife is his son A.J., who will be 2 inOctober.

“That’s who I come out here andwork for,” Mix said. “I want to be ableto provide for him and give him thethings that he wants without strug-gling.”

So far, that mentality has workedwell for Mix. From attending Har-grave Military Academy in Chatham,Va., before coming to Auburn, to flip-flopping positions on the field, Mixhas learned to go with whatever lifethrows his way.

After graduating from BaldwinCounty High School in Bay Minette,Ala., in 2001, Mix attended Hargraveto help prepare him for college. Al-

though he didn’t know it at the time,Mix met one of his future Auburn team-mates, Karibi Dede, while at Hargrave.

“Karibi and I were actually reallyclose at Hargrave,” Mix said. “I remem-ber being at home and reading in thenewspaper that Karibi Dede had signedwith Auburn. It was funny to me be-cause he was from Virginia and hadnever even talked about going to schoolin Alabama, but he ended up coming toAuburn. We’re still really close.”

Dede remembers his time at Har-grave with Mix as well, and admits thathaving a familiar face when he came toAuburn was helpful.

“Already knowing somebody downhere was cool,” Dede said. “I’m not fromthe South; I’m from Virginia, so know-ing somebody down here was nice. Westuck together when he got down hereand we’re still good buddies to this day.”

Mix considered other schools includ-

ing Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan andMichigan State before deciding on Au-burn because of the coaches’ emphasison academics.

“I picked Auburn because they stuckwith me, and it seemed like they weremore worried about education, whichwas something that seemed really im-portant to me coming out of highschool,” he said.

When Mix reported to Auburn in thesummer of 2002, he was listed as a widereceiver. Throughout his first two years,the 6-foot-5, 248 pound senior went backand forth between receiver and tight enduntil he was finally set at wide receiverin the middle of his sophomore year.

“I’ve just been settled at one positionfor the past two years,” he said. “I thinkchanging positions has helped me be-cause I’m more physical than the aver-age receiver.”

One of the players he models his

Auburn Football I l lustrated

game after is Oakland Raiders’ wide re-ceiver Randy Moss.

“I like Randy Moss from a playerstandpoint,” Mix said. “He fits myframe. I’m a little bit bigger, but I’ve justalways liked the way he plays.”

Even throughout his positionchanges, Mix has built strong bondswith his fellow wide receivers, one ofwhich is junior Courtney Taylor.

“We’re like brothers,” Taylor said ofAuburn’s receivers. “Even when our ca-reers are over at Auburn, we’re stillgoing to stay in touch.”

Another receiver who is part of thatclose group is senior Ben Obomanu,who has seen a decidedly different sideof Mix.

“What people don’t know about An-thony Mix is that he’s really a kid atheart,” Obamanu said. “He has a bigframe and a big body and people seehim and get intimidated, not just on thefield, but off the field, too. Deep downinside he’s really a funny guy. He alwayskeeps us laughing. Any situation thatany of us go through, he always knowshow to put a twist on it to make ussmile. Behind the big mean body that hehas, he’s actually a soft person deepdown inside.”

As Mix has done in the past, whenhe’s thinking about the future andwhere he’ll be, he’s just going to see howthings play out. He’s majoring in adult

education, but isn’t sure that he’ll wantto pursue a career in that field. A careerin the NFL would also be a favorableoption, but not something that he’sdwelling on now.

“I think about the NFL a little bit, butI don’t even really think about it thatmuch,” Mix said. “That might not be agood thing, but that’s just the way I am. Ifwhat I’m doing now – football – doesn’twork out for me, then I know God willhave something planned for me to do.”

He did, however, entertain the idea ofleaving after last season to enter theNFL draft, but opted against it. Mix

credits education as one of his reasonsfor returning to the Plains.

“I wanted to graduate,” he said.“That’s one of the reasons I came back. Imight not graduate right now, but it canbe hard to graduate in four years. If theNFL doesn’t work out, I won’t have thatmuch to do when I come back and Iwouldn’t have football. I’ll be able tofocus more on my education, graduateand move on.”

Since it’s worked for him so far, Mixis continuing with just letting thingshappen how they happen. It’s gottenhim this far, so why change things now?

What’s your favorite meal? “Mymom’s macaroni and cheese. It’s sogood.”

What’s the best vacation you’veever been on? “I’ve never been ona vacation. I’ve never had time for avacation. The closest thing I’ve cometo a vacation is going to our bowlgames.”

Have you always been an Au-burn fan? “I was an Auburn fangrowing up. I liked Alabama a littlebit, when they played other people,but I always liked Auburn.”

Up Close withAnthony Mix

Auburn Football I l lustrated

by Megan Murren

Every year since 1981, as a part of itsHomecoming festivities, Auburn hon-ors an outstanding alumnus with the

Walter Gilbert Award.The award is given to individuals who

distinguish themselves after graduatingfrom Auburn. The honorees are chosenbased on how well the skills, knowledgeand experiences they learned on the Plainsare taken to the communities they nowcall home.

This year’s recipient still calls Auburnhome. David Marsh, Auburn’s champi-onship-winning swimming and diving headcoach, is the 25th recipient of the award.

“This is an extreme honor for me,” saidMarsh. “From the heart, this is one ofgreatest honors that can be bestowed.”

Marsh is entering his 16th year as headcoach of the Tigers. In that time, he andhis swimmers have captured 15 Southeast-ern Conference Championships and seven

National Championships.Marsh, an eight-time NCAA Coach of

the Year, has also sent several competitorsto the Olympic Games, including gold, sil-ver and bronze medalist Kirsty Coventry.Marsh has appeared at the Games as anassistant coach.

Before all of the championships andOlympic medals, Marsh was one of Au-burn’s All-American swimmers.

He remembers his recruiting visit well.“It was a long trip from Miami to Au-

burn in my ’65 Mustang, but it was a tripthat would change my life,” Marsh said.“Auburn has provided so many firsts inmy life.”

As an athlete, Marsh accomplished hisdreams of becoming a champion andbeing a part of an NCAA National Champi-onship team.

Marsh also became the first in his fami-

ly to earn a degree. Originally, aftergraduation, he planned to take his busi-ness degree back to Miami.

“I was going to be a Miami businessman,” he said. “But I was teachingswim lessons and some of the parentsencouraged me to go into coaching.”

Some of those parents includedJohn Heilman, the current universityprovost, and his wife, Ursula.

Marsh left Auburn in 1985 to accepta head coaching position with DynamoSwim Club of Atlanta, and then went onto coach the Las Vegas Gold SwimTeam. During his tenure there, he led 10swimmers, including former teammateand gold medalist Ambrose “Rowdy”Gaines, to the 1988 Olympic Games.

Soon after, Marsh got his first oppor-tunity at his dream job – head coach athis alma mater.

“I am so thankful for the day CoachDye asked me to be the coach at

Auburn Football I l lustrated

Auburn,” said Marsh.Since, Marsh has become a permanent

fixture in Auburn. He and his wife, Kristin,are raising their three children, Aaron (9),Alyssa (7), and Maddie (4) in Opelika.

Marsh is an active philanthropist in Au-burn. He is on the board of directors forthe Boys and Girls Club of Lee County andhosts an annual benefit for Cystic Fibrosiscalled Laps for Cystic Fibrosis.

Marsh’s swimmers mentor children inthe Boys and Girls Club and help raisemoney for Cystic Fibrosis. Next year’s ben-efit will be held on April 8 at the James E.Martin Aquatic Center.

Marsh has also become a distinguishedspeaker, having spoken locally and nation-ally, including at the Swimming Coachesof America national convention.

Though Marsh’s list of accomplish-ments is a distinguished one, he believes

he can’t take all of the credit.“This is an incredible

honor,” Marsh said, “But Iwish I could hand it to all ofmy mentors and people whohave touched my life along theway.”

Marsh gives credit to oth-ers, such as Dye, Hub Waldrup, DeanJames E. Foy and the late Dot Dennis,among countless others, for helping teachhim how to be an Auburn man.

“I can only accept this honor with itknown that countless athletes and coacheshave worked tirelessly to help me reachthis point,” Marsh said. “I can’t thank themenough.”

The Walter Gilbert Award is named inhonor of Auburn’s only three-time All-American. Gilbert played center for thefootball team from 1934-1936 and wasonce described by then-assistant footballcoach Ralph “Shug” Jordan as “possiblythe greatest center-linebacker in the histo-ry of Southern football.”

In 1956 he was elected to the NationalFootball Foundation Hall of Fame. He isone of 11 Auburn coaches and players whohave received this honor.

After graduating from Auburn, Gilbertbecame the vice president of Texaco’s Eu-ropean Oil Operations. He lived in Auburnuntil his death in 1979.

by Audrea Harker

Every year, an Auburn man and woman re-ceive one of the highest honors a student-athlete can have bestowed upon them.

And every year there are many Auburn athletesdeserving of this special honor.

This year, the Rawls Atkins and HareAwards go to B.J. Jones and Jenni Anderson,two outstanding members of Auburn’s South-eastern Conference and NCAA Championshipswimming teams who have established them-selves in Auburn’s record books.

Cliff Hare was a Professor of Chemistry,Dean of Chemistry, Faculty Chairman of Ath-letics and President of the Southern Confer-ence. He believed that “athletics make menstrong, study makes men wise, and charactermakes men great.”

In his memory, the Hare award is given an-nually to the student-athlete who not onlyshows great athletic and scholastic ability, butalso demonstrates qualities of leadership, in-

tegrity and courage.It is no surprise that this year’s recipient is

AU swimmer B.J. Jones.“You don’t do the things you do to win

awards” said Jones. “You do them because thatis what is ingrained inside of you. You want tobe the best at your sport. To succeed in the

classroom and to receive awards are wonder-ful, but it is like icing on the cake.”

The icing includes 12 All-American honorsin his 4-year career at Auburn along with beinga part of a team that won four SEC titles andthree consecutive NCAA crowns.

In the 2004-05 season, the LaGrange, Ga.,native earned the right to be named team cap-tain. He succeeded in winning his first SEC titlethis past season in the 500-yard freestyle andwas a top finisher 12 times in season meets,seven in the 500 freestyle alone, and earned aspot in the Auburn record books, topping the1000-yard freestyle chart by 5.41 seconds.

With all of his success in the pool, Joneshas still found time to be just as successful outof the pool.

Jones said that “being able to be successfulat balancing academics and athletics and alsotrying to find time to have some sort of a sociallife – it ends up being really hard to do. I waslucky enough to have had so much support

from coaches, teachers and administratorsand from my teammates as well to give meevery opportunity to succeed.”

Trying to get through 35 hours of training aweek plus his biomedical science academicschedule, Jones doesn’t find a lot of time to“dilly-dally” with his studies, nor do the coach-es let him.

“The coaches really stress academics overathletics and that is really important,” saidJones. “I am retired now, so what am I going todo for the rest of my life? I am going to fallback on my academics. They really know thatthe most important thing in a student-athlete’slife is their preparation for their career.”

He is now entering his last year at Auburnand going through the process of applying tomedical school to become a dermatologist.

“I now have a lot more time to study and tofocus my energy on my career preparation. Ihave always had the overwhelming desire toexcel and be great at anything that I do,” saidJones.

Leah Marie Rawls Atkins is a U.S. andWorld Champion water skier, the first womaninducted into the Alabama Sports Hall ofFame, the recipient of the first Ph.D. awarded

Auburn Football I l lustrated

by the Department of History at Auburn Uni-versity and the first Director of the Center forArts and Humanities at Auburn.

The top honor for the female student-ath-lete is the Rawls Atkins Award. It is given tothe female athlete who not only excels inscholarship and athletic ability, but alsodemonstrates character and leadership.

This year, the award goes to Chesterton,Ind., native Jenni Anderson.

Anderson is one of the mostacclaimed relay swimmers inAuburn history. In the 2003 and2004 seasons, Anderson was partof the 200m medley relay teamthat set NCAA and U.S. OpenRecords. She is a 13-time All-American and has been a part ofSEC- and NCAA-winning swimteams.

“All the records I have been a part of havebeen with a team,” said Anderson. “It was al-ways about being a part of a team and accom-plishing what we did.”

Much like Jones, Anderson faces the samechallenges trying to balance life as a student-athlete.

“The first couple of years,” said Anderson,“I was focused more on swimming, and for thelast two I focused more on my education. A de-gree is what you fall back on once you are nolonger an athlete.”

Anderson, having graduated from Auburnwith a degree in early childhood education, isnow teaching the third grade at LoachapokaElementary School.

“She has gone through school and is teach-ing and has the opportunity to impact youngerkids,” said Jones. “There is no better person tobe an example for young kids than Jenni be-cause she has gone through the whole thing.”

This is the second year that two membersof the Auburn swimming and diving teamshave received these awards. In 2004, diver Cae-sar Garcia and swimmer Becky Short receivedthese top honors.

“It is just a real commitment to excellence,”said Jones. “We really do expect the best out ofourselves.”

Jenni Anderson

B.J. Jones

Auburn Football I l lustrated

1 Devin Aromashodu........................WR6-2 • 204 • Senior • Miami, FL

2 Ben Obomanu................................WR6-1 • 205 • Senior • Selma, AL

2 Aairon Savage................................DB5-11 • 162 • Freshman • Albany, GA

3 Tony Bell .........................................FS6-2 • 213 • Sophomore • Alabaster, AL

4 David Irons .....................................DB5-11 • 190 • Senior • Dacula, GA

5 Tommy Trott....................................TE6-5 • 226 • Freshman • Montgomery, AL

6 Ulysses Alexander ........................WR6-4 • 200 • Freshman • Miami, FL

6 Robert Dunn ..................................WR6-0 • 169 • Freshman • Augusta, GA

6 Walter McFadden ..........................DB6-0 • 153 • Freshman • Pompano Beach, FL

8 Cooper Wallace..............................TE6-4 • 263 • Senior • Nashville, TN

9 Anthony Mix ..................................WR6-5 • 252 • Senior • Bay Minette, AL

10 Tray Blackmon................................LB6-0 • 192 • Freshman • LaGrange, GA

11 Calvin Booker.................................QB6-4 • 230 • RFreshman • Atlanta, GA

12 Brandon Cox...................................QB6-2 • 202 • Sophomore • Trussville, AL

13 Patrick Martyn.................................P5-11 • 190 • Junior • New Orleans, LA

13 Jamoga Ramsey............................WR5-10 • 169 • Junior • Delray Beach, FL

14 Lorenzo Ferguson ..........................DB6-2 • 201 • RFreshman • Miami, FL

15 Prechae Rodriguez .......................WR6-4 • 192 • Sophomore • Tampa, FL

16 Blake Field.....................................QB6-2 • 199 • RFreshman • Tallahassee, FL

17 Anthony Campbell .........................DB5-10 • 185 • RFreshman • Hialeah, FL

17 Jonathan Vickers...........................QB6-2 • 202 • RFreshman • Athens, AL

18 Austin Hoyt.....................................DB6-0 • 176 • Freshman • Montgomery, AL

18 Zach Kutch .......................................K5-9 • 172 • Freshman • Milton, FL

19 Montavis Pitts ...............................DB6-1 • 199 • Junior • Loachapoka, AL

20 Patrick Lee.....................................DB6-0 • 195 • Sophomore • Miami, FL

20 Matthew Motley...............................H5-10 • 174 • Sophomore • Opelika, AL

21 Karibi Dede.....................................LB6-0 • 216 • Junior • Woodbridge, VA

21 Rodgeriqus Smith .........................WR6-0 • 173 • RFreshman • Snellville, GA

22 Tre Smith ........................................RB5-10 • 200 • Junior • Venice, FL

23 Kenny Irons ....................................RB5-11 • 202 • Junior • Dacula, GA

24 Jonathan Wilhite ...........................DB5-11 • 171 • Sophomore • Monroe, LA

25 Lee Guess......................................WR5-10 • 177 • Junior • Trussville, AL

26 Steve Gandy....................................FS6-1 • 201 • RFreshman • Waynesboro, MS

27 Tristan Davis .............................RB/FS5-10 • 196 • RFreshman • East Point, GA

28 Brad Lester.....................................RB5-11 • 190 • RFreshman • Lilburn, GA

28 Blake Shrader.................................SS5-10 • 191 • RFreshman • Stevenson, AL

29 Jerraud Powers..............................DB5-9 • 171 • Freshman • Decatur, AL

30 Kody Bliss.........................................P5-10 • 183 • Junior • Brentwood, TN

31 Antarrious Williams .......................LB5-11 • 213 • Senior • Columbus, GA

32 Carl Stewart ...................................RB6-2 • 211 • Sophomore • Alcoa, TN

33 Eric Brock.......................................SS6-1 • 209 • Sophomore • Alexander City, AL

35 Will Herring ....................................FS6-3 • 220 • Junior • Opelika, AL

36 Brett Carr .......................................DB6-2 • 181 • Freshman • Niceville, FL

36 Brant Haynie...................................SS5-10 • 186 • Junior • Gadsden, AL

37 John Vaughn.....................................K6-1 • 203 • Junior • Brentwood, TN

38 Zach Gilbert....................................DB5-10 • 185 • Sophomore • Florence, AL

40 Kevin Sears.....................................LB6-4 • 234 • Junior • Russellville, AL

41 Octavius Balkcom..........................DE6-4 • 240 • RFreshman • Blakely, GA

42 Stephen Gowland ...........................FB6-4 • 226 • Freshman • Lilburn, GA

42 Patrick Trahan................................LB6-2 • 203 • Freshman • New Orleans, LA

43 Pete Ruzicka ..................................FS6-0 • 208 • Junior • Cranberry Twp, PA

44 Jake Slaughter...............................FB6-2 • 243 • Senior • Brentwood, TN

45 Mike McLaughlin ...........................FB6-1 • 225 • RFreshman • Waynesboro, MS

46 Antonio Coleman............................DE6-2 • 213 • Freshman • Mobile, AL

47 Andrew Turman ..............................FB6-0 • 228 • Sophomore • Hoover, AL

48 Marquies Gunn...............................DE6-4 • 249 • Junior • Alexander City, AL

49 Kevin Hobbs ...................................DB6-0 • 193 • Senior • Tampa, FL

50 Joe Cope...........................................C6-0 • 276 • Junior • Andalusia, AL

51 Travis Williams...............................LB6-1 • 213 • Senior • Columbia, SC

53 Chas Crofoot ..................................DS6-1 • 190 • Senior • Orlando, FL

54 Quentin Groves...............................DE6-3 • 248 • Sophomore • Greenville, MS

55 Merrill Johnson ..............................LB6-0 • 198 • RFreshman • Butler, AL

56 Courtney Harden ............................LB6-0 • 225 • RFreshman • Leighton, AL

57 Mark Pickett ..................................LB6-1 • 208 • RFreshman • Thomasville, GA

58 T.J. Jackson ...................................NG6-1 • 311 • Senior • Opelika, AL

59 Chris Evans.....................................LB6-0 • 221 • Freshman • Prichard, AL

60 Tyler Maloney.................................OL6-4 • 252 • Freshman • Florence, AL

62 Pete Compton.................................DS6-6 • 226 • Sophomore • Brentwood, TN

64 Neil Brown......................................DT6-2 • 260 • Sophomore • Buford, GA

66 Troy Reddick ..................................OT6-5 • 320 • Senior • Albany, GA

68 Jason Bosley..................................OG6-4 • 271 • Freshman • Huntsville, AL

69 Ben Grubbs.....................................OG6-3 • 309 • Junior • Eclectic, AL

70 Antwoin Daniels.............................OT6-5 • 283 • RFreshman • Forsyth, GA

71 Tyronne Green................................OG6-2 • 306 • RFreshman • Pensacola, FL

72 Leon Hart........................................OG6-4 • 293 • Sophomore • Columbia, SC

73 Marcus McNeill..............................OT6-9 • 338 • Senior • Decatur, GA

74 Steven Ross......................................C6-5 • 286 • Senior • Nashville, TN

75 Stanley McClover...........................DE6-3 • 260 • Junior • Ft. Lauderdale, FL

76 Tim Duckworth...............................OG6-4 • 315 • Junior • Taylorsville, MS

77 King Dunlap....................................OT6-8 • 310 • Sophomore • Brentwood, TN

78 Oscar Gonzalez...............................OL6-6 • 291 • Freshman • Hialeah, FL

79 Jonathan Palmer............................OG6-4 • 318 • Junior • Decatur, GA

80 Andrew McCain..............................DE6-6 • 257 • Freshman • Birmingham, AL

82 James Swinton..............................WR6-1 • 178 • RFreshman • Tucker, GA

83 Gabe McKenzie ..............................TE6-4 • 228 • Freshman • Mobile, AL

84 Montez Billings.............................WR6-2 • 178 • Freshman • Pelham, AL

84 Charles Mullen...............................TE6-4 • 248 • RFreshman • San Diego, CA

85 Alonzo Horton.................................DE6-2 • 222 • Freshman • New Orleans, LA

85 Jarvez Williams.............................WR6-0 • 171 • Freshman • Montgomery, AL

86 Courtney Taylor.............................WR6-2 • 206 • Junior • Carrollton, AL

87 Cole Bennett...................................TE6-4 • 261 • Junior • Dalton, GA

89 Danny Perry ....................................TE6-2 • 242 • Sophomore • Auburn, AL

92 Christopher Browder......................DE6-4 • 263 • Junior • Camden, AL

93 Brandon Haley................................DE6-3 • 233 • Sophomore • Lakeland, FL

93 Brian West......................................DE6-4 • 256 • Freshman • Beaumont, TX

94 Sen’Derrick Marks .........................DT6-1 • 254 • Freshman • Mobile, AL

95 Pat Sims .........................................DT6-4 • 301 • RFreshman • Fort Lauderdale, FL

96 Wayne Dickens...............................DT6-1 • 295 • Senior • Lakeland, FL

97 Josh Thompson..............................NG6-0 • 295 • Sophomore • Statesboro, GA

98 Rudy Odom .....................................DT6-3 • 269 • Freshman • Mandeville, LA

99 Tez Doolittle...................................NG6-3 • 285 • Sophomore • Opelika, AL

OFFENSEFB– 44 Jake Slaughter (6-2, 241, Sr.)

45 Mike McLaughlin (6-1, 230, RFr.)TB– 22 Tre Smith (5-10, 199, Jr.)

32 Carl Stewart (6-1, 207, So.)QB– 12 Brandon Cox (6-2, 202, So.)

16 Blake Field (6-2, 199, RFr.)WR– 9 Anthony Mix (6-5, 248, Sr.)

25 Lee Guess (5-10, 177, Jr.)LT– 73 Marcus McNeill (6-9, 337, Sr.)

77 King Dunlap (6-8, 292, So.)LG– 69 Ben Grubbs (6-3, 302, Jr.)

72 Leon Hart (6-5, 302, So.)C– 50 Joe Cope (6-0, 276, Jr.)

74 Steven Ross (6-6, 292, Sr.)RG– 76 Tim Duckworth (6-3, 326, Jr.)

79 Jonathan Palmer (6-5, 319, Jr.)RT– 66 Troy Reddick (6-5, 335, Sr.)

70 Antwoin Daniels (6-6, 298, RFr.)TE– 8 Cooper Wallace (6-4, 265, Sr.)

87 Cole Bennett (6-5, 256, Jr.)WR– 2 Ben Obomanu (6-1, 198, Sr.)

1 Devin Aromashodu (6-2, 202, Sr.)WR– 86 Courtney Taylor (6-2, 204, Jr.)

15 Prechae Rodriguez (6-4, 192, So.)

DEFENSEDE– 48 Marquies Gunn (6-4, 238, Jr.)

54 Quentin Groves (6-3, 245, So.)NG– 58 T.J. Jackson (6-1, 305, Sr.)

97 Josh Thompson (6-0, 301, So.)DT– 96 Wayne Dickens (6-1, 303, Sr.)

64 Neil Brown (6-2, 264, So.)DE– 75 Stanley McClover (6-3, 247, Jr.)

92 Christopher Browder (6-4, 247, Jr.)LB– 21 Karibi Dede (6-0, 216, Jr.)

40 Kevin Sears (6-4, 247, Jr.)LB– 51 Travis Williams (6-1, 207, Sr.)

59 Chris Evans (6-0, 221, Fr.)LB– 31 Antarrious Williams (5-11, 206, Sr.)

10 Tray Blackmon (6-0, 192, Fr.)S– 33 Eric Brock (6-1, 212, So.)

26 Steve Gandy (6-1, 202, RFr.)S– 35 Will Herring (6-3, 220, Jr.)

49 Kevin Hobbs (6-0, 192, Sr.)CB– 20 Patrick Lee (6-0, 198, So.)

19 Montavis Pitts (6-3, 206, Jr.)CB– 4 David Irons (6-1, 189, Sr.)

24 Jonathan Wilhite (5-11, 171, So.)

SPECIAL TEAMSPK– 37 John Vaughn (6-1, 201, Jr.)

18 Zach Kutch (5-9, 172, Fr.)P– 30 Kody Bliss (5-11, 177, Jr.)

13 Patrick Martyn (5-10, 192, Jr.)DS– 62 Pete Compton (6-6, 239, So.) [PUNT]

53 Chas Crofoot (6-1, 190, Sr.) [FG/PAT]H– 20 Matthew Motley (5-10, 177, So.)KOR– 1 Devin Aromashodu (6-2, 202, Sr.) -AND-

20 Patrick Lee (6-0, 198, So.)86 Courtney Taylor (6-2, 204, Jr.) -AND-28 Brad Lester (5-11, 190, RFr.) -OR-6 Robert Dunn (6-0, 169, Fr.)

PR– 22 Tre Smith (5-10, 199, Jr.)6 Robert Dunn (6-0, 169, Fr.)

OFFENSEFB– 39 Ross Cassity (6-2, 235, So.)

1 Brandon Fitzgerald (6-4, 255, So.)RB– 25 Lerron Moore (5-10, 200, Sr.)

27 G.J. Wooldridge (5-11, 185, So.)QB– 16 Justin Haddix (6-1, 210, Jr.)

3 Blake Ladson (6-1, 185, Jr.)WR– 17 Jamison Link (6-2, 190, Fr.)

8 Chris Jackson (6-1, 190, Jr.)LT– 64 Andrew Campbell (6-3, 300, Fr.)

68 John Brewer (6-3, 310, Jr.)LG– 52 Greg Ryan (6-4, 280, So.)

77 Sean Pugh (6-0, 295, Sr.)C– 54 Erik Losey (6-2, 290, Sr.)

72 Chris Sullivan (5-11, 260, Jr.)RG– 65 Bill Hewig (6-0, 290, Sr.)

75 Zach Thuney (6-4, 290, So.)RT– 56 Joe Dolchan (6-3, 280, Jr.)

67 Chris McConnell (6-6, 310, Fr.)TE– 94 Chris Brunemann (6-3, 250, Jr.)

88 Jared Holland (6-4, 250, So.)WR– 85 Maurice Perkins (5-9, 170, Sr.)

15 Chris Hamilton (6-1, 185, So.)

DEFENSELE– 99 Charlie Phillips (6-3, 265, Sr.)

47 Evan Brewer (6-2, 240, So.)NT– 93 Joe Woolridge (6-1, 295, Sr.)

53 Dusty Bear (6-3, 265, So.)RE– 96 Daniel Williams (6-2, 270, Sr.)

90 Ross Dickens (6-3, 245, Jr.)OLB– 11 Brandon Smith (6-2, 220, Sr.)

47 Ben Sowders (6-1, 220, Fr.)ILB– 32 Jon Hedges (6-1, 230, Jr.)

38 Jenkins Reese (6-3, 225, So.)ILB– 13 Andre Lewis (6-0, 210, So.)

29 Johnathan Carter (6-2, 210, Jr.)OLB– 19 Sam Sexton (6-3, 220, Jr.)

95 Dan Cline (6-5, 225, Fr.)SS– 20 Scott Greschel (5-9, 195, Jr.)

5 Bo Smith (5-10, 190, So.)FS– 10 Marion Rumph (6-2, 190, So.)

24 Brandon Mason (6-2, 190, So.)CB– 6 Antonio Thomas (6-2, 200, Sr.)

18 Travis Watters (5-9, 175, Fr.)CB– 21 Dennis Mitchell (5-8, 185, Sr.)

14 Artis Neal (5-11, 185, Sr.)

SPECIAL TEAMSK– 83 Chris James (6-1, 185, So.)

P– 37 Tanner Siewart (5-10, 180, So.)

LS– 32 Jon Hedges (6-1, 230, Jr.)

H– 7 Jack Rafferty (5-11, 190, Fr.)

KR– 21 Dennis Mitchell (5-8, 185, Sr.)5 Bo Smith (5-10, 190, So.)

PR– 21 Dennis Mitchell (5-8, 185, Sr.)

Auburn Football I l lustrated

As Western Kentucky University cele-brates its first 100 years, the transfor-mation from a regional university to a

university of national prominence contin-ues. Students, faculty, staff and alumni aresupporting Western Kentucky’s vision to bethe best comprehensive public institution inKentucky and among the best in the nationby demonstrating excellence in and out ofthe classroom, conducting relevant appliedresearch and invoking a spirit of communityby providing public service that reaches farbeyond the physical campus.

Western Kentucky boasts one of themost beautiful campuses in the country, acampus that is undergoing a renewal thatwill carry it far into the second centennial.That renewal extends beyond the physicalimprovements and includes a renewal ofthe “Western Spirit,” that special sense ofbelonging and pride that is well known to

almost anyone connected to the University.Enrollment continues to climb, making

Western Kentucky the fastest growing uni-versity in Kentucky. Students are attractedby programs that emphasize a quality high-er education experience and the opportuni-ty to excel. They are also attracted by suchdynamics as:

• A recently completed $50 million renova-tion of residence halls.• Renovation and expansion of the Down-ing University Center to include a studentsuccess center and enhanced dining oppor-tunities.• Opening of a $10 million parking struc-ture that adds more than 800 parkingspaces in the center of campus.• The opening of the $20 million Complexfor Engineering and Biological Sciences.• The opening of the $18.5 million MassMedia and Technology Hall, which includesa computer lab that is open 24/7.

The future continues to look bright. Anemphasis on academic quality is being sup-

ported by funding to hiremore faculty and expandacademic facilities. Inaddition, private donorscontinue to support en-dowments for scholar-ships and faculty posi-tions. Otherimprovements coming inthe near future include:

• A $33 million renova-tion of the sciencecampus.• A $35 million buildingfor the College of Educa-tion.• A $38 million buildingfor the Gordon Ford Col-lege of Business.• A $33.5 million reno-vation/addition to L.T.

Smith Stadium/JimmyFeix Field.• A $5 million studenthealth center.

The quality of theWKU faculty and stu-dents shows in the longlist of regional, nationaland international honors they have re-ceived. Some of the highlights of the pastyear include:

• Western’s School of Journalism andBroadcasting has won the overall title in theHearst Journalism Awards Program for thethird time since 2000. Often called “ThePulitzers of College Journalism,” the Hearstprogram conducts year-long competitionsin print journalism, photojournalism andbroadcast news.• In 2004-05, the WKU Forensics Team wona sixth International Forensics Associationchampionship, defended its team sweep-stakes championship in Lincoln-Douglas de-bate at the National Forensic Association

tournament and finished in the top four na-tionally in the NFA and American ForensicAssociation individual events tournaments.• This summer a group of WKU faculty andstudents, including President Gary Ransdelland his wife, Julie, traveled to Kenya as partof an international research partnershipwith the University of Nairobi. The trip isone phase of an overall program to assist indeveloping a sustainable, ecologically-sound wildlife-based and ecotourism-basedeconomic model, with the goals of reducingpoaching, increasing the sense of enfran-chisement of these communities, and pro-ducing a model economic system for simi-lar rural communities in Kenya.

Dr. Gary RansdellPresident

Dr. Wood SeligAthletic Director

Auburn Football I l lustrated

David ElsonHead Coach

Auburn Football I l lustrated

JohnathanCarter

LINEBACKERJr. • Murfreesboro, TN

JoeDolchan

OFFENSIVE LINEJr. • Dexter, KY

JustinHaddix

QUARTERBACKJr. • Jackson, KY

BillHewig

OFFENSIVE LINESr. • Evansville, IN

ChrisJames

KICKERSo. • Fayetteville, GA

TyroneMareko

OFFENSIVE LINESr. • American Somoa

DennisMitchell

CORNERBACKSr. • Indianapolis, IN

LerronMoore

RUNNING BACKSr. • Columbus, OH

MauricePerkins

WIDE RECEIVERSr. • Indianapolis, IN

MarionRumph

SAFETYSo. • Bradenton, FL

SamSexton

LINEBACKERJr. • Ferguson, KY

BrandonSmith

LINEBACKERSr. • Stanford, KY

AntonioThomas

CORNERBACKSr. • Louisville, KY

DanielWilliams

DEFENSIVE ENDSr. • Baxley, GA

StephenWillis

RUNNING BACKSo. • Indianapolis, IN

JoeWoolridge

DEFENSIVE LINESr. • Greenwood, SC

292929

838383

858585

666

AntonioThomasCornerback

565656 11616 656565

616161 212121 252525

11010 11919 11111

969696 939393363636

1 Brandon Fitzgerald ........................FB6-4 • 255 • Sophomore • LaCenter, KY

2 Kareem Garibaldi...........................DB6-0 • 190 • Senior • Tampa, FL

3 Blake Ladson...........................QB/WR6-1 • 185 • Junior • Hopkinsville, KY

4 Tariq Smith....................................WR6-0 • 180 • Senior • Memphis, TN

5 Bo Smith ...........................................S5-10 • 190 • Sophomore • Rockledge, FL

6 Antonio Thomas.............................CB6-2 • 200 • Senior • Louisville, KY

7 Jack Rafferty .................................QB5-11 • 190 • RFreshman • Dublin, OH

8 Chris Jackson ...............................WR6-1 • 190 • Junior • Seale, AL

9 Rashad Etheridge ..........................CB5-9 • 165 • Freshman • St. Petersburg, FL

10 Marion Rumph ..................................S6-2 • 190 • Sophomore • Bradenton, FL

11 Brandon Smith..............................OLB6-2 • 220 • Senior • Stanford, KY

12 Brandon C. Smith ...........................QB6-0 • 175 • Freshman • Danville, KY

13 Andre Lewis...................................ILB6-0 • 210 • Sophomore • Madison, TN

14 Artis Neal .......................................CB5-11 • 185 • Senior • Apopka, FL

15 Curtis Hamilton.............................WR6-1 • 185 • Sophomore • West Paducah, KY

16 Justin Haddix .................................QB6-1 • 210 • Junior • Jackson, KY

17 Jamison Link.................................WR6-2 • 190 • RFreshman • Gallatin, TN

18 Travis Watters................................CB5-9 • 175 • RFreshman • Louisville, KY

19 Sam Sexton...................................OLB6-3 • 220 • Junior • Ferguson, KY

20 Scott Greschel..................................S5-9 • 195 • Junior • Fairdale, KY

21 Dennis Mitchell .............................CB5-8 • 185 • Senior • Indianapolis, IN

24 Brandon Mason ................................S6-2 • 190 • Sophomore • Nicholasville, KY

25 Lerron Moore .................................RB5-10 • 200 • Senior • Columbus, OH

26 Jamar Harris...................................RB6-2 • 225 • RFreshman • Dayton, OH

27 G.J. Wooldridge..............................RB5-11 • 185 • Sophomore • Somerset, KY

28 Clay Stephens ................................CB5-8 • 195 • Sophomore • Somerset, KY

29 Johnathan Carter ..........................ILB6-2 • 210 • Junior • Murfreesboro, TN

30 Brad Cloud........................................S5-11 • 180 • RFreshman • Danville, KY

31 Andrew McCloud ...........................RB5-9 • 190 • Freshman • Harrodsburg, KY

32 Jon Hedges....................................ILB6-1 • 230 • Junior • Murray, KY

33 Brandon Hicks................................FB6-0 • 240 • Junior • Beech Grove, IN

36 Stephen Willis................................RB5-10 • 195 • Sophomore • Indianapolis, IN

37 Tanner Siewart ...........................P/PK5-10 • 180 • Sophomore • Robards, KY

38 Jenkins Reese...............................ILB6-3 • 225 • Sophomore • Indianapolis, IN

39 Ross Cassity..............................FB/LS6-2 • 235 • Sophomore • Versailles, KY

40 Jared Johnson................................FB6-1 • 230 • RFreshman • Franklin, TN

41 Philip Bates....................................FB5-10 • 200 • RFreshman • Nolensville, TN

42 Jimmy Caldwell.............................ILB6-0 • 230 • Freshman • Winter Springs, FL

43 Brandon Goodwin..........................ILB6-0 • 210 • RFreshman • Georgetown, KY

44 Karl Phillips....................................TE6-3 • 250 • Junior • Kissimmee, FL

45 Josh Smyth ....................................ILB6-0 • 235 • RFreshman • Hoover, AL

46 Darvis McBride...............................SS5-10 • 175 • Freshman • Fort Myers, FL

47 Evan Brewer ...................................DE6-2 • 240 • Sophomore • Bowling Green, KY

48 Ben Sowders.................................OLB6-1 • 220 • RFreshman • Bowling Green, KY

49 Bryson Hall ...................................OLB5-11 • 220 • Freshman • Bowling Green, KY

50 Myron Moore................................OLB5-11 • 220 • RFreshman • Frankfort, KY

52 Greg Ryan .......................................OL6-4 • 280 • Sophomore • Murray, KY

53 Dusty Bear ......................................DL6-3 • 265 • Sophomore • Osprey, FL

54 Erik Losey .......................................OL6-2 • 290 • Senior • Hixson, TN

55 Terrance Houston...........................DL6-4 • 275 • Sophomore • Nashville, TN

56 Joe Dolchan....................................OL6-3 • 280 • Junior • Dexter, KY

57 Blake Slates ...................................OL6-4 • 290 • RFreshman • Lexington, KY

58 Josh Johnson .................................DE6-3 • 245 • Junior • Franklin, TN

59 Deion Holts...................................OLB6-2 • 250 • Senior • Bowling Green, KY

60 Jeremy Moore ..................................P6-2 • 180 • Freshman • Indianapolis, IN

61 Tyrone Mareko ...............................OL6-3 • 305 • Senior • American Somoa

62 Kale Butler......................................OL6-1 • 280 • Freshman • Greenville, KY

64 Andrew Campbell ...........................OL6-3 • 300 • Freshman • Indianapolis, IN

65 Bill Hewig ..................................OL/LS6-0 • 290 • Senior • Evansville, IN

67 Chris McConnell.............................OL6-6 • 310 • RFreshman • Carthage, TN

68 John Brewer ...................................OL6-3 • 310 • Junior • Bowling Green, KY

69 Adam Tingle....................................OL6-2 • 280 • Junior • Louisville, KY

70 Cody Hughes...................................OL6-1 • 295 • Freshman • Bradenton, FL

71 Jeremy Walley................................OL6-2 • 270 • Freshman • Eads, TN

72 Chris Sullivan .................................OL5-11 • 260 • Junior • Louisville, KY

75 Zach Thuney ...................................OL6-4 • 290 • Sophomore • Dayton, OH

76 Ben Craig........................................OL6-3 • 280 • Freshman • Waddy, KY

77 Sean Pugh.......................................OL6-0 • 295 • Senior • Huber Heights, OH

79 James Rusin ...................................DL6-3 • 255 • Freshman • Orlinda, TN

80 Aaron Scott ...................................WR6-2 • 190 • Junior • Nashville, TN

82 Jessie Quinn..................................WR6-1 • 195 • RFreshman • Bradenton, FL

83 Chris James ...................................PK6-1 • 185 • Sophomore • Fayetteville, GA

84 Rannen Roberson..........................WR6-0 • 200 • Junior • Elkhart, IN

85 Maurice Perkins ...........................WR5-9 • 170 • Senior • Indianapolis, IN

86 Cory Clemons................................WR6-1 • 205 • Sophomore • Valdosta, GA

87 Jake Gaebler.................................WR5-11 • 180 • Freshman • Mundelein, IL

88 Jared Holland .................................TE6-4 • 250 • Sophomore • Franklin, TN

89 David Miller....................................TE6-3 • 225 • RFreshman • Fort Campbell, KY

90 Ross Dickens..................................DL6-3 • 245 • Junior • Pelham, AL

91 Chris Walker...................................DE6-4 • 285 • Sophomore • Manchester, KY

92 Dan Dinsmore.................................DE6-3 • 240 • Junior • Hamilton, OH

93 Joe Woolridge ................................DL6-1 • 295 • Senior • Greenwood, SC

94 Chris Brunemann............................TE6-3 • 250 • Junior • Covington, KY

95 Dan Cline......................................OLB6-5 • 225 • RFreshman • Centerville, OH

96 Daniel Williams..............................DE6-2 • 270 • Senior • Baxley, GA

97 Patrick Farrell................................DL6-1 • 275 • Freshman • Cincinnati, OH

98 Steven Tajer ...................................DE6-3 • 250 • RFreshman • Hoover, AL

99 Charlie Phillips ..............................DE6-3 • 265 • Senior • Kissimmee, FL

Auburn Football I l lustrated