David Housel, retired Auburn University athletic director, and Aubie creator Phil Neel discussed the book they co-authored that chronicles the Auburn mascot's history. Housel described Neel as a creative genius and perfectionist. Neel described himself as a sports cartoonist who was working for a Birmingham newspaper and also working with Clemson and Auburn drawing program covers and media guides and just trying to make a living doing what he loved—drawing.

Even though Neel lived near Tuscaloosa early in his career, he moved to Auburn were all three of his children attended AU with his two sons playing football. The new book chronicles Aubie from his creation in 1959 to 1995 when Neel retired. The book includes pictures of Aubie on football tickets and program covers and reminds us of past stadium prices for food, such as sodas costing 25 cents and hot dogs, 30 cents.

AU’s mascot, early on, was a tiger—with Aubie being the first animated mascot. Even though Aubie was created in 1959, he was not named until 1969. Also, there have been only 104 “Aubie’s” wearing the costume. “Aubie” has been copy-righted and trademarked and Neel signed the rights over to AU years ago, but he continues to have the “right” to draw Aubie.

Neel (front, right) and Housel (back, right) with program chair Ted Wilson (back, left) and Club President Bill Hutto (front, left)