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http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2014/05/auburn_could_claim_more_nation.html
DESTIN, Florida -- Auburn could stake claim to several more national titles as early as this fall.
In a debate that has raged since January, the school could decide whether to claim national titles in 1910, 1913, 1914, 1983, 1993 and 2004 in the next several weeks, athletics director Jay Jacobs told AL.com on Thursday.
A committee is scheduled to meet in June to discuss the potential of recognizing more than the two titles it already claims for the undefeated seasons in 1957 and 2010. The committee is headed by chief marketing officer Ward Swift and has already sought feedback from former players, coaches and fans.
"We want to do what's best for Auburn, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks or says," Jacobs said. "The things that I said about it back in Januaryis the same I feel today. If other schools are counting championships a certain way, then we should count that same exact way."
Jacobs is not on the committee, he said, because of his playing days at Auburn. He was an offensive lineman on the 1983 team, which finished 11-1 with an SEC title and Sugar Bowl victory and was named the national champion by the New York Times.
Jacobs said it's possible the committee could make a decision before the Tigers start the season Aug. 30 against Arkansas inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. A flag could be raised and markings outside the stadium could be made to recognize whichever teams Auburn does decide to claim as national champions.
It's also possible Auburn could drop the idea altogether.
"I think we've got to get to some place before we start the fall or let's quit talking about it for a while," Jacobs said.
Auburn officially claims only two national titles -- 1957 and 2010 -- but recently added championship teams from 1913, 1983 and 1993 to the football tradition section on its website. The same teams are notated as champions, along with citation of the corresponding polls which named the Tigers a national champion, in Auburn's media guide. The NCAA record book also recognizes Auburn as a national champion -- among many others -- in those three additional seasons.
"Those players deserve whatever accolades, whatever recognition that any reputable organization gave them, so why shouldn't we honor them that way?" Jacobs said. "It's not about taking it from somebody. We're not interested in that. Who was crowned a national champion by whatever polls, that's good. But all we're interested in is what's best for our current and former student-athletes as far as recognition goes."
Jacobs said the feedback from Auburn fans has been "overwhelmingly positive."
The athletics director added Auburn is not attempting to take anything away from other teams.
"It is our heritage and it's the legacy," Jacobs said. "People can debate about it today, but if we do it, in 10 years, people will just say what it is just like at other schools."
DESTIN, Florida -- Auburn could stake claim to several more national titles as early as this fall.
In a debate that has raged since January, the school could decide whether to claim national titles in 1910, 1913, 1914, 1983, 1993 and 2004 in the next several weeks, athletics director Jay Jacobs told AL.com on Thursday.
A committee is scheduled to meet in June to discuss the potential of recognizing more than the two titles it already claims for the undefeated seasons in 1957 and 2010. The committee is headed by chief marketing officer Ward Swift and has already sought feedback from former players, coaches and fans.
"We want to do what's best for Auburn, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks or says," Jacobs said. "The things that I said about it back in Januaryis the same I feel today. If other schools are counting championships a certain way, then we should count that same exact way."
Jacobs is not on the committee, he said, because of his playing days at Auburn. He was an offensive lineman on the 1983 team, which finished 11-1 with an SEC title and Sugar Bowl victory and was named the national champion by the New York Times.
Jacobs said it's possible the committee could make a decision before the Tigers start the season Aug. 30 against Arkansas inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. A flag could be raised and markings outside the stadium could be made to recognize whichever teams Auburn does decide to claim as national champions.
It's also possible Auburn could drop the idea altogether.
"I think we've got to get to some place before we start the fall or let's quit talking about it for a while," Jacobs said.
Auburn officially claims only two national titles -- 1957 and 2010 -- but recently added championship teams from 1913, 1983 and 1993 to the football tradition section on its website. The same teams are notated as champions, along with citation of the corresponding polls which named the Tigers a national champion, in Auburn's media guide. The NCAA record book also recognizes Auburn as a national champion -- among many others -- in those three additional seasons.
"Those players deserve whatever accolades, whatever recognition that any reputable organization gave them, so why shouldn't we honor them that way?" Jacobs said. "It's not about taking it from somebody. We're not interested in that. Who was crowned a national champion by whatever polls, that's good. But all we're interested in is what's best for our current and former student-athletes as far as recognition goes."
Jacobs said the feedback from Auburn fans has been "overwhelmingly positive."
The athletics director added Auburn is not attempting to take anything away from other teams.
"It is our heritage and it's the legacy," Jacobs said. "People can debate about it today, but if we do it, in 10 years, people will just say what it is just like at other schools."
