Poster: "War Eagle Without a Title "
The “War Eagle” battle cry is one of the most well-known traditions at Auburn
University, but it does not have one clear origin. There are multiple stories about where it came
from, including the popular story about the 1892 football game where an eagle flew over the
field and fans began shouting “War Eagle.” However, because there are different versions of
how the tradition started, it shows that it was not created in one exact moment. Instead, it
developed over time through storytelling, memory, and shared experiences among students and
fans. This idea connects to the concept of “invented traditions,” where traditions are created and
shaped over time rather than having one fixed beginning.
As Auburn football became more popular, the use of “War Eagle” continued to grow
through student culture and media. Students began using the phrase at games, pep rallies, and
other campus events, which helped make it more meaningful. Media sources like The Auburn
Plainsman also played an important role by covering games and traditions, which helped spread
the phrase across campus and beyond. Over time, new traditions were added that made “War
Eagle” even more visible. One major example is the eagle flight before football games, where a
live eagle flies around the stadium before kickoff. This moment brings excitement to the crowd
and connects the original idea of the tradition to modern game day experiences. These changes
show that traditions are not fixed, but instead grow and evolve as new generations of students
and fans continue to participate in them.
Auburn is not the only school with traditions like this. Other universities, such as the
University of Alabama with its “Roll Tide” chant, also developed traditions over time in similar
ways. The “Crimson Tide” nickname itself came from a sportswriter in the early 1900s, and over
time it grew into a major part of the school’s identity. Just like Auburn, this tradition was shaped
by media, student involvement, and football culture rather than being created all at once. This
comparison shows that Auburn’s “War Eagle” is part of a larger pattern seen across college
sports, where traditions are built through shared experiences and repeated over time.
Overall, the “War Eagle” tradition is a strong example of how traditions are created and
maintained. It was not something that existed from the beginning in the same way it does today,
but something that developed through stories, student participation, and cultural influence. Even
today, fans, students, and players continue to use “War Eagle” as a way to show pride and
connection to Auburn. This proves that traditions are not just inherited, but actively built and
continued by the people who participate in them.
-Xzavian Stevens
Toomer's Drugs
| The Auburn Plainsman show how traditions like “War Eagle” are still actively used today and continue to shape student identity. |
war eagle tradition
| The “War Eagle” tradition does not have one clear origin. Some stories trace it back to an 1892 football game |