Auburn University may be ranked no. 9 in college football, but they’re no. 1 in college game day traditions. Whether you’re a regular on the Plains, or new to the village, there are plenty of sights to see before, during, and after an Auburn home game. To make sure you’re getting the full experience, here are 7 traditions to get the true War Eagle experience. If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you’ll want to follow these CPAP tips to make your game day a winner.
Have a glass of lemonade from Toomer’s Drugs
Lemonade on game day? Apparently so. For years, Tigers fans have gathered on Saturdays at this local spot to down their secret recipe. You’ll have to stand in line but we’ve heard it’s worth the wait. If you have sleep apnea, lemonade is a great alternative to the usual beer bongs we’re partial to on game day, since alcohol exacerbates sleep apnea symptoms. Otherwise, there’s no harm in sneaking some secret potion from your flask into that lemonade! Call it our own “secret recipe”.
Tiger Walk
We all need our pre-game exercise. Auburn fans take theirs to the next level (and even on the road for away games). It started in the 1960s, when fans would wait for autographs outside Sewell Hall, the old athletic dorm, as the players walked to the stadium. Now it’s slightly bigger. Two hours before kickoff, thousands of fans line up on Donahue Drive to cheer on the Tigers as they walk from the Auburn Athletic Complex to Jordan-Hare Stadium. From what we hear, things get sweaty. Ex-head coach Gene Chizik says he was drenched in sweat by the end of his first Tiger Walk. Studies show that sleep apnea causes weaker blood flow to the brain, so work out on the Tiger Walk to increase your blood circulation!
Check out the Heisman winner statues at Jordan-Hare Stadium
Time to snap your selfie. In 2012, Auburn University decided to show some love for the school’s three Heisman trophy winners, Cam Newton, Bo Jackson, and Pat Sullivan. And what better way to honor your winners than to erect statues in their honor? The statues are now a popular attraction for fans and a great place to catch some photo ops before the game. Lots of former Heisman Trophy winners have tackled sleep apnea, so channel their will to win with ResMed’s award-winning AirFit P10 Mask System.
War Eagle
War Eagle inspires fear and excitement throughout college football. It’s used as a campus greeting, kickoff cheer, and battle cry. The tradition dates all the way back to the Auburn vs. Georgia game in 1892. Legend has it a Civil War vet brought his pet eagle to the game. The eagle broke free and began to circle the field as Auburn marched towards the Georgia end zone to win the game. Auburn fans took the bird’s flight as a herald of success and began to chant War Eagle. Sadly, just after the win, the eagle took a sudden dive, crashed to the ground, and died. But War Eagle lives on as a symbol of Auburn pride. Pack your C-100 Battery Pack, the essential CPAP travel companion, so you don’t crash and burn like the eagle! It also charges your cell phone (another game day necessity in our opinion).
Flight of the War Eagle
Sports Illustrated chose the Flight of the Eagle before Auburn home games as No. 2 in the best college football traditions. Pretty impressive, especially since this “tradition” only dates back to 2000. Before each home game, a real eagle circles around Jordan-Hare stadium (under the watch of a handler, of course). Tiger, Nova, and Spirit, the much-beloved Auburn eagles, are housed in the Auburn Raptor Center, which is a full-service raptor rehabilitation center that belongs to the University. Watching this live will give you goose bumps, so don’t miss out because you’re on hold with your doctor’s office! The new AirSense 10 CPAP with HumidAir wirelessly transfers your CPAP’s data to your doctor. It does the work for you so you can watch War Eagle soar.
Iron Bowl
Only the biggest event of the year in college football. We all remember the jaw-dropping end to last year’s showdown against ‘Bama. In this college football rivalry, records and stats rarely matter. It’s all about spirit. The rivalry game started in 1893, but came to a screeching halt in 1907 when tensions between the schools boiled over about players’ expenses (yes, college players were paid back then). After state legislature got involved, the games resumed, albeit over 40 years later. Until recently, the Iron Bowl was held in in Birmingham, a neutral spot. This year’s game is sure to exceed expectations. We know ‘Bama will be looking for blood. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, keep your home field advantage and get tested from the comfort of your bed with an easy home sleep apnea test.
Rolling Toomer’s Corner
Toomer’s Corner, at the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue, has been the site of many a wild celebration. After a Tigers victory, students, alum, and Auburn residents take to the streets to paper the oaks of Toomer’s Corner with toilet paper. Celebrations last until dawn, leaving the town drenched in white. In 2010, a Crimson Tide fan poisoned the trees with herbicide after an Auburn win at the Iron Bowl. In 2013, the 130-year-old Toomer’s oaks were cut down. The replacement oaks, scheduled for planting in early 2015, will grow in a high-tech environment to maximize life expectancy. In the meantime, might we suggest other ways to celebrate a win? CPAP use improves sex drive in both men and women, so next time Auburn brings home a W, you and your partner can too. War Eagle, hey!
