What is The War Eagle Reader?

Part city paper, part game-day program, part yearbook, part academic journal, part Beat novel, The War Eagle Reader is a online-publication dedicated to the proposition that all college towns are not created equal.

… which is to say that TWER is for Auburn people, about Auburn people, and by Auburn people, and completely lacking in objectivity.

Regularly updated with news, photos, commentary, profiles, and in-depth features pertaining to these, our “lovely bowers of innocence and ease,” TWER chronicles and celebrates Auburn’s past and present superiority the way it should be – with freaking passion.

We believe in Auburn. We love it. War Eagle, ya’ dig?

Contributors

Jeremy Henderson, Editor & Coach

Jeremy graduated from Auburn in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. In July 2009 he returned to the Plains to start The War Eagle Reader after 11 months in Lubbock, Tex. where he won some awards as a newspaper features writer. He suffers from intense second-hand nostalgia and for the past five years has been writing a critically acclaimed book about Auburn’s experience with streaking in 1974. He likes to watch TV with his wife and jump on the trampoline with his daughter. He likes kudzu. He believes. You can keep up with him at The Ol’ Post-College Try. You can write to him at jeremy@thewareaglereader.com.

J.M. Comer, Assistant Editor & Columnist

J.M. graduated from Auburn in 1998 and again in 2000 with bachelor’s degrees in English and journalism. He is currently a copy editor in Washington, D.C., and lives in Baltimore, Land of Pleasant Living, with his special lady and two dogs. If you find yourself in beautiful Baltimore, he recommends a crab cake at Faidley’s Seafood, a stop at Atomic Books, an O’s game at Camden Yards and plenty of Natty Boh. You can enjoy his view of Auburn via his column Shug Life and write to him at shuglife@thewareaglereader.com.

Jerry Hinnen, Managing Editor – War Blog Eagle

Jerry calls the plays and runs the routes for War Blog Eagle, the most prolific, best-written, most comprehensive, highest-quality Auburn fanblog ever. After earning a Master’s degree from Auburn in 2003, he served as Sports Editor for a handful of community newspapers in Alabama and Michigan before moving with his wife to Chinle, Arizona. He thanks God for satellite television and the Internet. Earlier measures of his devotion to Auburn athletics (and mid-major hoops) can be enjoyed at the historic Joe Cribbs Car Wash. Write to him at jerry@warblogeagle.com.

Zac Henderson, Photo Editor

Zac has been taking still photographs for nearly five years.  He moved to Auburn in the 2002, graduated from Auburn High School in 2008, and currently studies photography at some school called Savannah College of Art Design.He tears up before games in Jordan-Hare and gets goose bumps during Boddageta.He takes pride in being old fashioned. You can view his work here (and hire him yourself). Write to him at zac@thewarealgereader.com.

Ben Bartley, Columnist and Features Writer

Ben writes The Win Column, among other things. He is a student at Auburn University. Most of his time is spent doing as little as possible, eating and controlling manageable vices. He will one day graduate with a degree in journalism and maybe find a job. Fingers crossed. Write to him at thepigskinpathos@yahoo.com.

John Magruder, Columnist

John has been going to Auburn games since before he was born. He was in -Legion Field- utero when Bo went over the top. Some mothers play Mozart to their developing progeny. John was raised on the roars of the Tiger faithful. You can chart his growth with his fantastic column, God, Girl, Grill, Gridiron, and write to him at godgirlgrillgridiron@thewareaglereader.com.

Kenny Smith, Columnist

Kenny Smith has been online since he went to Auburn. Now he teaches journalism and online media for a living. You can find him online at www.kennysmith.org, and on Twitter @kennysmith. Write to him at kennysmith@gmail.com.

Kevin Strickland, Sportswriter

In addition to writing on Auburn football and taking photos for The War Eagle Reader, Kevin serves as the sports editor for the Pickens County Herald , a weekly newspaper in West Alabama where he has covered high school and college sports for the past 15 years. In his career as a sportswriter, he has covered 12 state championship teams; followed the careers of three local football players who starred at college and played in the NFL and covered two local baseball players who played in the majors. He has won numerous Alabama Press Association writing awards including Best Sports Column in 2004. Write to him at kstrickland@thewareaglereader.com.

Kelly Jolley, Columnist & Philosopher

Dr. Jolley is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at Auburn University. He works in the theory of judgment, the history of 20th- Century philosophy, metaphilosophy and philosophical psychology. He also likes football and was recently profiled by The New York Times. His book “The Concept ‘Horse’ Paradox and Wittgensteinian Conceptual Investigations” was published in 2007.  “Leisure with Dignity,” his column for TWER, runs bi-monthly to monthly. Write to him at kellydeanjolley@gmail.com.

Jennie Henderson, Columnist

Jennie graduated from Auburn in 2008 with a degree in English. She currently spends her days in an office listening to the “hold please” musical stylings of various 800 numbers and beating Excel spreadsheets into submission. She spends her other time with her husband and daughter, reading, writing her column Salt of the Turf. Write to her at jennie@thewareaglereader.com.

Thor Burk, Columnist

Thor Burk came to Auburn as a young man in 1997 and never left. He’s always loved Bo Jackson, but his true love of Auburn football proper began in the early 90s. In addition to writing a weekly report on Tiger greats in the NFL, he’s a professional BBQ judge (Memphis certified), and all around foodie. Write to him at thor@auburn.edu.

Hardy Gilbert, Columnist

Hardy was double-bred to be an Auburn Tiger. His parents met while attending Auburn, insuring a childhood of Autumn afternoon tailgating. Both he and his sister went to school, met their spouses, and now raise their families in the Loveliest Village on the Plains, although Hardy still insists he was hoodwinked by a red-headed devil of a woman. He chronicles the impetuousness of youth in Backyard Valediction. Write to him at hardy.gilbert@gmail.com.

Auburn Elvis, Columnist

In 2003, a lifelong Auburn fan decided to get on TV by growing his hair out into a whitefro, sewing a horribly uncomfortable navy and tiger-striped jumpsuit, and attending the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. He succeeded in getting on TV, but was surprised that folks (mistaking his ‘fro for a pompadour) referred to him as “Auburn Elvis.” One haircut and a cheap wig later a journey toward minor sports celebrity had begun. Auburn Elvis now regularly attend Auburn sporting events and maintains a serviceable blog that documents his quirky approach to fandom. In his column, fAUllow Friday, he recommends notable Auburn alumni to track of through social media sites. Write to him at auburnelvis@gmail.com.