'I wish an Auburn legend was swimming toward me': Rowdy Gaines, center, zeros in on Ariel (Julianne Moore) in Annie Leibowitz's rendering of "The Little Mermaid."

At 50, Rowdy Gaines is so active it takes the combined power of Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, and several personal and professional Web sites just to keep up with him.

Those willing to try won’t be disappointed.

The NCAA championship-winning (5), children-fathering (4), Olympic Gold Medal-winning (3), world record-setting (who knows how many), Guillain-Barré syndrome-surviving, charity-starting, sports-commentating, product-endorsing, jet setting, “War Eagle’ing” face of American swimming and the 1981 SEC Athlete of the Year is an avid Facebooker and Twitterer and has embraced social media as extensions of both his personal and professional life.

““It’s a great way to stay connected to people, fans and friends… I’m doing as much Facebook communication as I am email now and I never thought that would happen,” Gaines says. “Because I do a lot of TV work for swimming I get so much more feedback… some not so good but I love it all.”

Some recent “not so good” feedback? The splash he made on his blog regarding the possible politics behind Chicago’s failed 2016 Olympic bid.

But Gaines knows of what he tweets; he’ll be calling his 6^th Olympics for NBC in 2012.

He takes the criticism all in stroke.

“Are you kidding me?! It doesn’t bother me at all,” he says. “I have been doing this a long time, so to borrow a cliché, it comes with the territory… Chicago 2016 doesn’t need my advice. Pat Ryan and his organization did everything right. They just met the perfect storm and it was Rio.”

“Politics and the Olympic movement will be around forever,” says Gaines, one of the more than 280 Americans denied the chance to compete in the 1980 Olympics by Jimmy Carter’s boycott of the game, “so its not much of a concern because there is little we can do except to voice our opinions and if they make a little sense then hopefully the people in the right places pay attention.”

Gaines’ opinion on the state of Auburn swimming is nothing but positive.

“We have not won 14 NCAA Championships in swimming without a tremendous support system,” he says. “And now I am so excited that Brett Hawke is the new coach. He will follow Richard Quick and David Marsh with many more rings in the future.”

From the 1982 Glomerata:

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.

Auburn fans watched in silence last Saturday as Zac lay motionless on Pat Dye Field, the result of a head-first collision with teammate Antonio Coleman. The dark scene brightened a little as Etheridge gave the crowd a thumbs up as he was carried off the field.

He was released from a Birmingham hospital two days later, optimistic about recovering from the torn neck ligaments and cracked fifth vertebra he’d suffered.

Zac is currently fourth on the team with 52 tackles. The Troy, Ala. native arrived at Auburn a three-star recruit known for his speed and awareness. As a freshman, Zac was named to multiple Freshmen All-American teams and continued to improve throughout his sophomore season, starting 12 of 13 games and finishing second on the team with 32 tackles. He started all 12 games at safety in 2008 and finished with a team-leading 75 tackles for the season.

Addressing the team and reporters Tuesday, Zac expressed his happiness at being able to walk so soon after the injury, thanked the team and fans for all their prayers and support, and reaffirmed his intentions to play football again next season.

Set to finish his Public Administration degree in December, Zac is optimistic about his future at Auburn and beyond.

Since the injury, Zac says he’s been overwhelmed by the well-wishes he’s received from fans on his Facebook page.

On Monday at 1:33 p.m.,he updated his status to “thanking God for another chance!! Just got released from the hospital!!! thank you Jesus!!”

Swing by and drop Zac a quick note of encouragement.

War Eagle, Zac!

Photo via.

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.

Nicole Hage. Par Exellence...

Imagine you’re a professional golfer. You’re in a tournament far from home. Maybe some of your putts just aren’t dropping. Maybe you’re a little frustrated. Maybe you approach your next shot and someone in the nearby crowd shouts, “War Eagle!” Maybe your day brightens, your focus narrows, and you’re reminded that even though you’re years and hundreds of miles removed from Auburn University, you’re not alone. For LPGA golfer and 2007 Auburn graduate Nicole Hage, there’s no maybe about it.“The best feeling for me is playing in a tournament, walking down the fairway and hearing ‘WAR EAGLE!’,” she says. “It’s a feeling of family and I don’t think there’s anything better than that.”

After a successful career at Auburn (Four-time All-American, NGCA All-Region, 2004 SEC Freshman of the Year, and multiple 1^st and 2^nd Team All-SEC Honors), Hage is entering her 3^rd year on the LPGA Tour. This past April, she started a Twitter account in an effort to interact with fans and showcase day-to-day life in the LPGA.

“I think people want an insight on what professional athletes do,” she says, “and I think Twitter makes the fans feel like they’re involved with that person on a personal level.”

Unlike many athletes, Nicole takes her commitment to interact with fans seriously. She’s eager to give insight, answer questions, and genuinely allow fans to share in her experiences.

Hage reveals that during the less exciting times spent traveling on tour, she uses social media to keep up with friends and family as well as other areas of interests.

Chief among them?  Her love of all things Auburn.

“I am one of the biggest Auburn fans you’ll ever meet,” she says. “I just loved and cherished my time at Auburn and I want everyone to know what a great and special place it is.” Adding, “I personally use Twitter to keep up with Auburn Athletics, I like knowing how all the sports teams are doing.”

A true representative of the Auburn Spirit, Hage offers a warmly engaging account (tonight she’s cooking Mexican!) of her ongoing LPGA career. She encourages interested fans to follow and support her as she prepares for Qualifying School, December 2 through 6 down in Daytona Beach, Florida. On the line  is the opportunity to earn full tour status for the upcoming year.Be sure to check out her Tweets and wish her a hearty, “War Eagle!”

Get thee to a fairway...

Want more pictures? We’re right behind you.

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.