Phil Neel: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Aubie 1957 debut.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Cover of Auburn's 1957 media guide, with Neel's first published drawing of "Aubie".]] | |||
'''Phil Neel''' (born [[1927]]; died [[July 25]], [[2012]] in [[Birmingham]]) was an artist for the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' and the creator of [[Auburn Tigers|Auburn University]]'s mascot "[[Aubie]]". | '''Phil Neel''' (born [[1927]]; died [[July 25]], [[2012]] in [[Birmingham]]) was an artist for the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' and the creator of [[Auburn Tigers|Auburn University]]'s mascot "[[Aubie]]". | ||
Neel grew up in [[Sumter County]], played football at [[Livingston University]], and served in the U. S. Navy. He spent 33 years as a sports artist at the ''Post-Herald'', and switched to the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' for one year. | Neel grew up in [[Sumter County]], played football at [[Livingston University]], and served in the U. S. Navy. He spent 33 years as a sports artist at the ''Post-Herald'', and switched to the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' for one year. | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:}} | In [[1957]], Neel's illustration for the cover of the [[Auburn Tigers football]] media guide included the first appearance of the tiger character that would come to be known as "Aubie". Neel's Aubie began walking upright in [[1962]] and wore a blue tie and straw hat in a [[1963]] appearance. He continued to appear on every home-game program through the [[1976 Auburn Tigers football team|1976 season]] (a period during which Auburn had a 63-16-2 home record). His image was retired from game programs for the [[1977 Auburn Tigers football team|1977 season]], but reappeared on the cover for Auburn's [[1991 Iron Bowl|last home game]] at [[Legion Field]] on [[November 30]], [[1991]]. | ||
Neel's drawing were sent to a manufacturer for an unofficial "Aubie" costume which debuted in February [[1979]]. Neel was also consulted by performer [[Barry Mask]] that fall for advice on the character's personality. | |||
Three of Neel's four children attended Auburn, with two sons, [[Mike Neel|Mike]] and [[Rick Neel|Rick]] on the football team. Neel died in 2012 of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. | |||
==References== | |||
* Anthony, Chris (July 25, 2012) "Aubie creator Phil Neel dies at age 84." ''Opelika-Auburn News'' | |||
==External links== | |||
* [http://www.weagleweagle.com/page12.html Phil Neel cover gallery] at WeagleWeagle.com | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neel, Phil}} | |||
[[Category:1927 births]] | |||
[[Category:2012 deaths]] | |||
[[Category:Livingston alumni]] | |||
[[Category:US Navy personnel]] | |||
[[Category:Birmingham Post-Herald]] | |||
[[Category:Illustrators]] | |||
[[Category:Cartoonists]] | |||
[[Category:Birmingham News cartoonists]] | |||
[[Category:Cancer deaths]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:23, 3 January 2020
Phil Neel (born 1927; died July 25, 2012 in Birmingham) was an artist for the Birmingham Post-Herald and the creator of Auburn University's mascot "Aubie".
Neel grew up in Sumter County, played football at Livingston University, and served in the U. S. Navy. He spent 33 years as a sports artist at the Post-Herald, and switched to the Birmingham News for one year.
In 1957, Neel's illustration for the cover of the Auburn Tigers football media guide included the first appearance of the tiger character that would come to be known as "Aubie". Neel's Aubie began walking upright in 1962 and wore a blue tie and straw hat in a 1963 appearance. He continued to appear on every home-game program through the 1976 season (a period during which Auburn had a 63-16-2 home record). His image was retired from game programs for the 1977 season, but reappeared on the cover for Auburn's last home game at Legion Field on November 30, 1991.
Neel's drawing were sent to a manufacturer for an unofficial "Aubie" costume which debuted in February 1979. Neel was also consulted by performer Barry Mask that fall for advice on the character's personality.
Three of Neel's four children attended Auburn, with two sons, Mike and Rick on the football team. Neel died in 2012 of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
References
- Anthony, Chris (July 25, 2012) "Aubie creator Phil Neel dies at age 84." Opelika-Auburn News
External links
- Phil Neel cover gallery at WeagleWeagle.com