"While I don't have one singular story to tell, I can say without hesitation that my father, Mike, is the definition of an "Auburn Dad." Our family is comprised mainly of loud, opinionated women. My dad had the daunting task of raising three girls.
Each fall, our Auburn family, consisting of ten females and my father, descend on Mell Street for each home football game. Our tailgate, "War Damn Fam Jam," is a glittery, girly extravaganza. Plus my dad. I cannot count the number of tents my dad has raised, coolers he's loaded and tailgate boxes that he's been asked to pack and unpack. He's the master of the tailgate grill. He can cook it all: chicken, burgers, hot dogs and seafood.
As a former football referee, he's graciously given us countless lessons on play calling, officials' hand signals and player positions. He has spent hours patiently adjusting the satellite dish trying to find the elusive signal. Once the game starts, he's available for purse-holding, drink-purchasing and player identification. When the game's over, he'll sing a round or two of "Hey, Baby" right along with you. He's there to help you up the stairs on the rare occasion when you may have had a bit too much fun in the many hours leading up to a night game. And he's done every bit of it with a smile on his face and an immense amount of love in his heart for all of us.
My dad is a member of the class of 1979, and I am proud to say that I feel he truly exemplifies the Auburn Creed. He is hard-working, honest, generous and kind. He is respected by those who know him and a blast to be around. I know I'm biased, but he's the best. As I've gotten older, I've come to recognize him as not only someone that I can look up to, but as an extraordinary friend. To my amazing Auburn Dad: Happy Father's Day, I Love You and War Damn!"
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