By Wes Sinor
Auburn Plainsman
David Housel, director of communications and public relations and former athletic director, will end his 35-year streak of attending 412 straight Auburn football games this weekend when he misses the Arkansas game in Fayetteville.
“It’s too far,” said Housel. “I don’t have any duties with the athletic department that would carry me to the Arkansas game, and it’s just too far. The time has come to end it.”
After missing the 33-15 victory over Kentucky in Lexington on Oct. 3, 1970, Housel’s streak began when he attended the following week’s game on Oct. 10, a 44-0 victory at Clemson.
“I never thought about it as a streak, it’s just something I did,” Housel said. “Virtually all of those 35 years I was working, it was my job to be there. So, I think a fan that has gone to 100 straight games is much more significant than me, as an employee, having gone to 412 straight.”
Although 412 straight is impressive, Housel didn’t quite break the record.
“As far as I know, the record is Buddy Davidson (former assistant athletic director). As of the Georgia game in 2003, he had worked 500 straight games.”
Housel’s wife also attended a number of games when he was the sports information director. When Housel became the athletic director, his wife went to all of the games.
Housel enjoyed watching Auburn win a number of football games. In those 35 years, Auburn posted a record of 277-128-7, a .681 winning percentage.
He has several memorable games, including numerous Iron Bowls like the 1989 Alabama game, when the Crimson Tide visited Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time, and the “Punt, Bama, Punt” game, a 17-16 win in 1972.
“In Coach Tuberville’s first year, we beat LSU 41-7 down in Baton Rouge; that was something. I have a lot of great memories.”
Housel said when working in athletics, it’s all about the players. He admires junior Courtney Taylor and seniors Will Herring, T.J. Jackson and Cooper Wallace.
“They are special from this year’s team. They are good folks,” Housel said.
As for this weekend, Housel will be following his normal routine.
“I will be at Books-A-Million for my coffee group at nine o’clock. I’ll run some errands for my wife. Later on that night, I’ll curl up with a good book and an adult beverage and keep up with the Auburn Tigers.”