Auburn University - Glomerata Yearbook (Auburn, AL)

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...Fob weekend and fraternity panics. too. In thr fabulous fifties . students wore styles similar ro contrmpo rarv campus fashion Bli»e jeans and khakis were favorites in Fob's closet and t harcoal grey suits with pink shirts were reserved for dressier occasions Girls, he noted, wore tight fitting wool sweaters anti skirts below the knee ” Although the handsome blue eyed athlete was likely sought by many coeds. Fob met a girl named Bobbie Mooney and his dating life changed His cousin. Mrs Braxton Comer Counts Jr, lived w ith Bobbie in Dorm 12 and introduced the two Fob asked her out. they began dat ing. and three years later. Fob .lames was married It was magic. Gov James said with a slow-spreading boyish grin. Besides his wife, many other persons and organizations impressed Fob during his student tenure Among those were Dean Cater ( She's softened up a bit since then ). Dr Ralph Draughon and his wife Miss Caroline I 'The most gracious lady I knew ) Professor Chase of the Civil Pngineering Department ( A wise old owl ), and Coach Jordan (“A great teacher and good disciplinarian ). Fob fondly recalled the Auburn band during the fifties. They were great. he said. They'd work and work, usually as hard as the football team. James also noted the impact that the band and school spirit had on the football team Auburn spirit was strong then and we worked hard because we knew the students were behind us. he said. The spirit was very much alive then and seems to be now. also.

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Although he spoke of A New Beginning.” Alabama’s new governor. Forrest Fob” James will never forget his yesterdays at Auburn. ”1 developed a love for Auburn when I was quite young,” James said candidly during a 45-minute GLOM interview. My grandmother ran a boarding house in Auhum and my father and uncles had been students. The decision to attend Auburn hadn’t been difficult for James, a native of Lanett. Alabama. Although he had been offered scholarships elsewhere including the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the decision for Auburn came easily.” I wasn’t exactly a stranger when I came,” Gov. James continued. I'd visited the campus often during my childhood, and my uncle, Louis James, was mayor of the town.” f In addition. Fob’s father was a three-sport letterman at Auburn and had been named Outstanding Athlete in 1929. Fob enrolled in September of 52 and immediately immersed himself in a variety of campus activities. Perhaps best known for his football i skills, the nickname Fob” soon became Fabulous Fob” due to his remarkable stints on the playing field. During his freshman year. Fob finished third in the nation in kickoff returns and averaged close to 8 yards in punts. The fleet-footed 5-foot-lO,170 pound scatback. one of Auburn’s fin- est. was coached by Ralph Shug” Jordan James left Auhum with a career rushing record of 1.913 yards on 317 carries, an impressive mark which was not broken for 21 years. In 1976, Secdrick McIntyre accumulated 1.996 yards on -162 runs, surpassing the governor’s long held record. Just this year. Auburn rushing back Joe Cribbs broke both records with 2.253 yards on 457 carries. In 1955. James was named All SEC. the conference’s Most Valuable Player, and Academic All-American Although football was an important part of his college career. Fob held otlier leadership positions such as chairman of the Village Fair, one of the most important events at Auburn University then. In addition, he served as A-Club president, sold class rings, was member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Spades. He was also selected as a student member to the University Discipline Committee. While leadership responsibilities and academic studies took up a great deal of Fob’s time. he. like most collegians, enjoyed spending leisure moments with close friends ’’There were lots of different hotspots back then,” he said with a chuckle. The Tiger Cub restaurant, Pitts Hotel, a grcck restaurant, Ag Hollow. Pop Rain's Beverage Shack. The Casino and local theatres were probably most popular.” he said. There were usually dances held every hfi

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Still, he noted some changes in Auburn. Of course, the campus is much larger today than it was when I was there.” he said. We had 7,000 students compared to almost 20.000 now.” James also commented on the pressure placed on football players today. Kids today arc under much more pressure than we were,” he said. Tlie spon is much more specialized now than it was back then.” From discussions with his nieces and nephews at Auburn, Fob noted a change in the Greek system as well. It wasn't such a big deal back then,” he recalled. Once rush was over, it was over and that was that.” Greek life, he said, brought with it much of the same activities and mischief characteristic of today's grccks. Panama Gty was a popular spot for houscpartics.” he said. We’d skip Friday classes and head for the beach, but we were well chaperoned — we did have bed checks.” There were panty raids then, too.” he chuckled. During Hell Week, f rat members would shave some heads, some students got paddled. and we used to throw things at passing trains.” In addition, students fortunate enough to have cars used to drive into the swinging doors at Athey’s. a popular coffee shop Yes. life was lively then — 1 enjoyed it,” Governor James said warmly. 1 had five fun packed years that I will never forget.” Wanda Kenton AUBURN UNIVERSITY PROUDLY SALUTES GOVERNOR FOB” JAMES 1 |aw»