And now for the Monday history lesson.
Cliff Hare was an Auburn graduate. He was on the first football team, in 1892. He graduated from Auburn, went north for his graduate studies and soon returned to the university where he served out the rest of his career. He eventually dean of the chemistry school and bank president. He was the president of the Southern Athletic Conference, the predecessor of the modern SEC. He was a city council member, a mayor and helped build a city health clinic. He did all of this during a time when it wasn’t inconceivable to be so much to so many.
Here he is, in a picture from my 1931 Glomerata. He’d just been named the dean of the school of chemistry. He’s one of those people who’s quiet, steady influence was felt throughout the region for years, even after his death. The football stadium is co-named in his honor.
George Petrie was the coach of that first football team. He was a professor and spent a lifetime at Auburn. He was a professor of history and Latin, head of the History Department and dean of the Graduate School. Wikipedia says he was the first Alabamian to earn a Ph.D.
The former football field house, long ago converted into offices and classrooms, is named in his honor.
That’s Petrie from the 1925 Glomerata, which is dedicated in his honor. He is perhaps best known for penning the Auburn Creed.
Words to live by, there.
And thus concludes this week’s history lesson. Be sure to visit again next Monday when we’ll learn about … something that comes to mind between now and then.
