Fans, players have mixed feelings about barriers separating them

[DKW 86 7,411]

http://www.oanow.com/servlet/Satellite?pag...ews%21localnews

Tiger Walk to be changed

Fans, players have mixed feelings about barriers separating them

Lindsay Field / Staff Writer

August 13, 2006

Thousands of Tiger fans have lined Donahue Drive since the 1960s, high fiving, hugging and wishing their favorite players good luck against game day opponents.

Wednesday that changed for fans and players, who have mixed feelings about the barriers that will now separate the team from their beloved Tiger "crazies."

"Let me put it this way. When we get on the bus, we’re ‘game ready’ and we know those fans are hyped up. There’s nothing like it," said senior offensive guard Ben Grubbs. "It’s the best way to get pumped up for the games."

Grubbs said Tiger Walk gave him time to hug his mother and brother and receive Good Luck wishes and cheers from fans.

"The fans help us get pumped up," Grubbs said. "Some of them may slap us on the chest or something, but I never felt like I’d get hurt. We’re bigger than our fans anyways."

Keith Windham, Auburn resident and fan, said he’s never personally seen anything that may cause the AU officials to throw up red flags, questioning football players’ safety during Tiger Walk, but agrees with the precautionary measures.

"I think it’s a good idea for safety," said Windham, who attended AU’s practice Saturday morning. "The idea is to have fun and not get hurt, so anything to keep us safe is a good idea for me."

Danny Lindsey and Rich Trucks, members of the 2004 SEC Championship team and AU graduates, visited former teammates at Saturday morning’s practice.

"I think it’s ridiculous," Lindsey said. "The whole point is to go down and enjoy the fans and now we’re going to be just like every other school.

"That’s the whole tradition and now because other schools have barricades we’re having to put it up. They said it was a security issue, but I never felt threatened by fans. I just think it’s ridiculous!" Lindsey reiterated, who heard the news on television and received information about it in an e-mail last week.

"I couldn’t believe it either," Trucks said. "Danny told me about it earlier. I got more kisses in Tiger Walk than I got my entire career in college."

Amika Fannin, who’s son is a first-year Tiger from Hampton, Ga., Mario Fannin, said the barriers may be better for safety, but she’ll miss the experience.

"It was an awesome experience the first time we came up here to visit," Fannin said. "You get to shake their hands and get into it. I personally just loved the atmosphere."

Fannin said while attending games with her son last year she never really saw any problems with fans at the Tiger Walk.

"I maybe saw the line cave in a few times and maybe they’re doing it because fans were breaking line, but we just have to learn to share our space," concluded Fannin.

Auburn University officials initially made the announcement to possibly set up barriers July 10, but Wednesday decided barricades would definitely be set up for the Tiger’s first game against Washing State on Sept. 2.

Barriers will be placed on both sides of Tiger Walk beginning at the intersection of Donahue and Biggio Drive, around 4:45 p.m., as players, coaches and cheerleaders make their way down the sidewalk to the south end zone of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

[Aubie16 1]

"The fans help us get pumped up," Grubbs said. "Some of them may slap us on the chest or something, but I never felt like I’d get hurt. We’re bigger than our fans anyways."

[quietfan 233]

As far as hugging their family members, or high-fiving fans, etc. won't the players still be able to walk over to the barriers and hug, shake hands, kiss, etc. across the barriers if they so desire? [i'm assuming these are the typical iron pipe waist-or-chest-high parade barriers that are in use at Mardi Gras, political rallies and the like. ] Seems like there's still room for physical interaction--at the players' control--while establishing a level of safety that unfortunately has become a bigger and bigger concern in this day & age.

[PChamp119 96]

Not where the stupid baseball fence is.

At least this proves my point that safety is not the real issue here. The players never felt threatened and they hate this. The Auburn AD has serious problems

[the deacon 0]

Jay Jacobs is way out of his league. He's a nice guy but I smelled something when he got the job. Trust me, the changes implemented since he became AD are not initiated by him.

[rolltoomer 0]

Every good idea seems to have a life of its own to grow, get too formalized and ritualized and eventually ruined.

Tiger walk just happened. It was great to have the players walk by and get high-fived, hugged, patted, atta'-boyed and just get good feelings for all.

I for one didn't like it when special/honorary guests and dignitaries were added. "Hey, this is for the players--it's THEIR time."

Next thing you know there will be floats and spotlights and escorts and . . .

Why can't they just keep the sense of spontaniety and informal fun?

[damabama 15]

i'd still like for them to brick a 6' wide path down the center of donahue. we're smart enough to stay off the bricks. could even sell some "theme" bricks to fans to help pay for the job. hell, i'd buy one, 'cause you practically have to make a reservation to get in the "recruiting" area to see the ones we own now.

[Ranger12 46]

i'd still like for them to brick a 6' wide path down the center of donahue. we're smart enough to stay off the bricks. could even sell some "theme" bricks to fans to help pay for the job. hell, i'd buy one, 'cause you practically have to make a reservation to get in the "recruiting" area to see the ones we own now.

Yeah, I like the idea of something on the road like a path for the players, but creates an invisible barrier for the fans not to step over. They are trying to make this way too organized now, which is not in the spirit of the tradition if you ask me.

I too question why Jacobs is doing this, but I have been one that has questioned his appointment from day one. I still hold fast to the belief that he is a "yes" man for certain board members.