Auburn's 1985 SEC Tournament champions will have a reunion today in conjunction with the Tigers' game against Alabama at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
There will be an autograph session on the northwest concourse from 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. for selected players. All of the players will be recognized during halftime ceremonies.
All of the players from the 1985 team will be present, including Chuck Person, Chris Morris, Jeff Moore, Frank Ford, Gerald White, Vern Strickland, Terrance Howard, Darren Guest, Johnny Lynn, Carey Holland, Gary Godfrey, Howard Spencer and Rodney Turner. Head coach Sonny Smith and assistant Lawrence Johnson also will attend.
The 1985 Tigers became the first team to win four games in four days to win the SEC Tournament, defeating Ole Miss 68-60, LSU 58-55, Florida 43-42 and Alabama 53-49 in overtime in the championship game in Birmingham.
Auburn then defeated Purdue 59-58 in South Bend, Ind., for the first NCAA Tournament win in school history. The Tigers then upset No. 13 Kansas 66-64 before losing in the Sweet 16 to No. 7 North Carolina 62-56 in Birmingham. Auburn finished with a 22-12 record overall (8-10 SEC).
Auburn players from the 1980s are also part of the reunion. Attending are are Rick Bolling, Chris Brandt, Bobby Cattage, John Caylor, Paul Daniels, Rob Jones, Terry Martin, Alvin Mumphord, Eric Stringer and Darrell Thomas.
Assistant coaches who are attending are Gary Franks, Herbert
Greene, Otis Johnson, Yvan Kelly and Jay Nidifer as well as trainer John
Larkin, SID John Lewandowski and manager Michael Jones. Thirty-three
former players, coaches and support personnel are attending.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a 1985 SEC Tournament champions pennant.
The Tiger Walk for the current Auburn team will be at 1:15 pm on the lower east side of the eoliseum.
