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Aubie the Tiger (left), Auburn SGA President Matt Jenkins, University SGA President Katy Bowers and Hairy Dawg pose Wednesday after signing the Better Relations Agreement.

Auburn, Univ. students foster 'better relations'

By: KRISTEN COULTER

Posted: 11/8/07

In hopes of exchanging ideas and generating a well-behaved fan base for Saturday's game, the University welcomed representatives from Auburn University Wednesday.

About 75 student leaders from the two universities gathered for Better Relations Day.

Over breakfast at Herty Field, Vice President for Student Affairs Rodney Bennett commended the Auburn students for their "real commitment to learn more about the University of Georgia, and take that back and share it with other members of your student organization."

Tom Cochran, former assistant vice president for student affairs, explained the history of Better Relations Day to students.

Cochran said the day was started because of an incident in the late 1980s. The University won a football game and the students rushed onto the field. Auburn officials hosed the students, and Cochran said it was an unpleasant event for both institutions.

"We're proud of all the good things we share with you," Cochran said. "At the end of the day (Saturday), we will still be a part of ... two fine institutions."

After breakfast, Arch Society members led tours of North Campus and the student leaders met with their counterparts to exchange ideas.

Associate Athletic Director Arthur Johnson spoke to the group during lunch.

He said while this game will be the 111th meeting between the two teams, "the connection between the two schools goes even deeper."

Johnson, who oversees event management for the Athletic Association, read the SEC Sportsmanship Guidelines to the students.

"You've got to be leaders with your peers ... so we can have a friendly rivalry until kickoff," Johnson said.

The students took a tour of the Butts-Mehre building and heard former Athletic Director Vince Dooley speak.

Dooley gave students history lessons on the Georgia-Auburn rivalry and Better Relations Day.

He said when the two teams began playing each other, the University's mascot was a goat.

But, "after Auburn won, the Georgia fans were so depressed they barbecued the goat," Dooley said.

Dooley categorized the connections between the two universities as a "cross-fertilization."

Before coming to the University, he received an undergraduate degree, coached for eight years and met his wife at Auburn.

Dooley mentioned former Auburn head coach Pat Dye and former defensive line coach Erk Russell as leaders who attended or worked at both institutions.

Dooley said the day was important for students "to discuss and talk about the things we all have in common."

"You, as leaders, must go back to campus and give testimony."