While I was young, I didn't get to see Pat Dye's successes and failures. I watched some of the teams play but didn't think too far into it. Now that I am older, I see the reverence that Auburn fans show him. I cannot understand those that hold him in such high regard yet miss out on his second most important message.
I feel his most important message was that Auburn is different. Auburn is family. Auburn is a special place and should be loved/cherished. For what it's worth, Auburn fans know this.
His second most important message is one that I feel is lost on the Auburn fans. The message is that Auburn should expect to excel and demand respect. Take the respect if necessary. Had he felt the same as some in the Auburn fandom, Bama would have never played a football game in Auburn. You know, because Auburn and Bama had always played at Legion Field. If he felt as some do, Auburn should never expect to beat Bama/Georgia in football. You know, because they always have gotten the better of Auburn. He didn't accept what Auburn was competitively at the time. He made Auburn his vision of what Auburn should be.
It is ok for Auburn fans/Alumni to both love Auburn University and hold it to a higher standard athletically. Outside of Swimming/Diving, Equestrian, and Aubie, Auburn hasn't had sustained success. It is ok to hold the decision maker's feet to the fire. It's ok to demand more from a University that we all have given time, effort, and some money to. It is ok to tell an AD, coach, or player that they aren't good enough to get the team where it needs to be. You know, I believe football and basketball coaches when they say Auburn fans are some of the best. I believe the announcers when they say Jordan Hare Stadium and Neville Arena are some of the toughest places to play in the nation. You know what isn't ok? It isn't ok for the Auburn University decision makers to take Auburn fans for granted. I feel that they are and the product on the playing surfaces show it. Isn't it time for the product on the playing surface to match the words of the Creed that they proclaim?