Evolution of the Iron Bowl
With Auburn’s biggest football game coming up, I decided to give a bit of fun history about Iron Bowl and the intense rivalry that has divided the state for years.
For 40 years one of the biggest football rivalries in the nation was put on hold. After The Auburn vs. Alabama game in 1907, the coaches of each team could not agree on details for the next year’s game. Due to bad blood between the two schools, the teams did not play each other in any type of athletic event until 1948.
Although there are many rumors of why the teams ceased their athletic relations for almost half of a century, it boiled down to bad relations between the rivals. At the time, the coaches of the two teams could not decide on lodging for the away team, various expenses, who would official, as well as on field legalities.
In 1948, Auburn University president Dr. Ralph B. Draughon and Alabama president Dr. John Gallalee decided to settle the feud. The presidents developed a better relations committee consisting of student leaders from each school. Soon, Better Relations Day was developed and student leaders from each university would meet each semester to enhance relationships. Better Relations Day was designed to bring together similar students going through similar experiences who just so happened to attend rivaling schools. Better Relations Day also hoped to keep the state rivalry on the field and not between the students.
In 1948, Auburn and Alabama ended their athletic cession with a football game. Alabama crushed Auburn 55-0 and defeated them again in 1949. The Tide’s reign ended the next year when Auburn defeated Alabama 14-13. The rivalry was reborn.
Although Auburn and Alabama have continued to duke it out in sports for the last 50 years, for the most part the schools Student Government Associations and advisors have tried to keep the rivalry on the ball field. Better Relations Day has continued and grown since it was started in 1948. Better Relations Day allows for both schools to prepare for the game but also allows for a friendly exchange of ideas between the universities.
Better Relations Day has also been extended to the University of Georgia in previous years. This allows for the student leaders to promote healthy relations to Auburn’s oldest football rival.
Better Relations Day 2007 started Wednesday with a dance-off hosted by the two mascots, Aubie and Big Al. The Better Relations Day Committee is always looking for volunteers and students interested in being involved. Information from the director can be found on the SGA Web site.
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