Auburn Mascot, Nova, Has Officially Retired

Maybe it’s a photo of Spirit, the bald eagle that Auburn used a couple of seasons ago. Auburn also definitely used a bald eagle for the pregame flight in the Tostitos national championship game in 2011 (I think 2011?). Do you really believe that a school with 5 mascots, 3 nicknames, and no scruples would stick to any rule? Come on, man.

Spirit still makes pre-game flights. They bring both birds to every game and pick the one who has his/her best "game face" on on-site. Bald Eagle Challenger flew before the 2010/2011 natty during the national anthem but has no association with Auburn; that flight was planned even before the two teams were known.

Spirit still makes pre-game flights. They bring both birds to every game and pick the one who has his/her best "game face" on on-site. Bald Eagle Challenger flew before the 2010/2011 natty during the national anthem but has no association with Auburn; that flight was planned even before the two teams were known.

Or the Plainsmen

Southern Miss Golden Eagles rings a bell. Not sure about the Jaguars from USA.