On Saturday, just after the 11th Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championships, Auburn mascot Aubie unveiled a bronze statue bearing his likeness in front of the Harold D. Melton Student Center. He was honored for doing so.

The 6-foot-2-inch figure depicts Aubie holding an Auburn flag, a nod to his dedication as a spirit leader and to the game-day tradition of leading his team to Pat Dye Field.

Artist Alison Brown Caswell was consulted on the design and commissioned to cast the figure. The Oregon-based sculptor has created mascots for the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Southern California, and Boise State University, as well as the Buc-ee's Beaver mascot and a bronze statue of NBA star and ESPN analyst Bill Walton. It is known for producing. .

“Aubie is one of the most beloved Auburn traditions and has a permanent presence on campus,” said Bobby Woodard, senior vice president for student affairs. “He is an important part of our student life and we are thrilled that his new home is outside the Melton Student Center.”

Also in attendance at the event were President Christopher B. Roberts, Margaret Arnold, senior director of development at Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Jake Haston, past Student Government Association (SGA) president, and Logan McKenna, president of the Orbee program.

The figure's announcement, which came ahead of Obie's 45th birthday on Wednesday, is the culmination of an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade.

“After Orbie won his 10th UCA National Championship in 2021, we began talking again about making the project a reality,” said Peyton Alsobrook, director of student affairs development.

In April, the Auburn University Board of Trustees accepted Woodard's plan to improve the student experience. Part of his proposal included partnering with SGA and the Orbee program, where all donations would allow the mascot figure to be permanently installed outside the student center.

Haston said that after being elected SGA president, the possibility of a plan regarding this person was brought to his attention because of the Obee program and student affairs. When Haston discussed the plan with student leaders, he saw their “overwhelming excitement about the idea” and endorsed it to the board.

From the initial brainstorming to the final unveiling, philanthropic support from Auburn alumni, friends, and fans was essential to bringing this figure to life on campus.

“The love that the Auburn family has for the university and Aubee is unparalleled,” Allsbrook said. “Several Obie alumni and former leaders of his program became key supporters of the project and provided extensive philanthropic support., As well as their expertise and leadership in bringing this project to fruition.

“Thanks to their generosity, along with the generous support of alumni and friends over the past year, we have been able to solidify the Aubee tradition as a beloved Auburn tradition.”

More than 180 individual donors across the university's 12 colleges made gifts to help fund this figure.

Long before he served as Auburn's elite mascot and goodwill ambassador, Aubie's existence began as a cartoon character created by. birmingham post herald Artist Phil Neal made his debut with the Auburn football program in October 1959. He made his first live appearance in his SEC basketball tournament on February 28, 1979, and has been a symbol of Auburn's unwavering school spirit ever since.

Whether you've seen Aubie's antics during sporting events or taken a photo with him on campus, Auburn fans love the mischievous and fun-loving I have a favorite story that features a tiger. Allie Mills Dorrow, a graduate of the College of Liberal Arts, said her favorite memory was when her children met Aubie for the first time at an Auburn baseball game in 2022.

“They couldn't run any faster or smile any bigger,” Dorrow said. “It was like meeting Santa, but even better!”

Appearing more than 1,000 times a year, Orbie has won 11 national mascot championships, more than any other mascot in the United States. Obie was named the 2014 Capital One Mascot of the Year and was one of the first three college mascots to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.

“I can’t wait to see our students embrace this new campus landmark,” Haston said. “We hope this figurine will serve as a fun gathering place for those visiting campus for the first time, students gathering before a big game, and alumni reminiscing about their experiences on campus.”