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This is a letter that an Auburn fan wrote to the Auburn administration. Some of you will agree with the ultimate premise - some will not (by the way, I asked for permission to post this):
December 8,
2008
To: President Jay Gogue
The AuburnUniversity Board of
Trustees
Jay Jacobs,
Director of Athletics
THE AUBURN CREED
I
believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.
Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which
gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work
skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I
cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in
a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean
sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law
because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch,
which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings
happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of
freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country
by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I
believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie
(1945)
“This is a practical world” and college
football is big business. There is no doubt about this. But, the Auburn Creed, our guide to integrity, also talks of
honesty and truthfulness. In the matter of the “resignation” of Coach Tommy
Tuberville the feeling is not there that these ideals are being put into
practice. The respect and confidence of and in the athletic administration and
the Trustees is now completely gone and will not be rebuilt easily. “Clean
sports”, are these just words on a piece of paper or do we really appreciate the
change in our athletic program over the past ten years that has resulted in
athletes of character and faith? The human touch, is it gone? Is every
decision to be based not on what a person has accomplished in building not only
a winning team but winning individuals over the years but by their inability to
win the favor of a few in powerful positions? Can all involved in this
“resignation” say honestly before God that they have done justly, loved mercy
and walked humbly with their Maker?
Given the circumstances, there can be no motive
for anyone to consider applying for this position other than money. Any
applicant will know that they come into a situation where there will be no
freedom to run your own program, constant micromanagement by a few Trustees and
without a doubt, no loyalty to those who have been hired. Any coach worth
having cannot consider Auburn a fit place to work and call home. It
will just be a stopping place along the way.
The events of the past few weeks are the
recurrence of a cancer that started years ago. A foreign growth that needs to
be removed from the loveliest village so that the Auburn Family can once again be “healthy”. I believe in
Auburn and I
love it. I also believe it is never too late to do the right thing. READ THE
CREED. Reconsider your acceptance of Coach Tuberville’s “resignation”.
Sincerely
