From collection Member List
George C. Petrie (1866–1947) organized and coached Auburn's first football team, chose the school's colors, and, in February 1892, led them to victory over Georgia, the first contest ever played in the deep South. Three more Phis were on that team: Riggs, Henry Smith, and Hare.
A Montgomery boy, George Petrie entered the University of Virginia (where he was initiated into Virginia Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta) in 1883, earning a B.A. in 1886 and his Masters' degree in 1887. Pursuing his doctorate at Johns Hopkins, he was swept up in the public's enthusiasm for the new, rough-and-tumble game of football.
He completed his PhD in history, political economy and jurisprudence in 1891—the first Alabamian to earn a PhD degree—and, returning to his home state, took the position of Professor of History and Latin at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, viz. Auburn.
In a 1935 article in The Plainsman, he gave a lengthy account of that first game against Georgia:
"The famous old Kimball House [in Atlanta] was headquarters for both teams. The Georgia boys naturally felt at home and made the whole place ring with 'Rah! Rah! Geor-gee–ah!' It was wonderfully effective. I still think it is the finest college yell in the world. We replied with:
Rah, rah, ree
Rah, rah, ree
Alabama
A.M.C.
The A.M.C. stood for Agricultural and Mechanical College, which was then the name of our institution. Somehow, we couldn't get much punch in it. Their yell was a war cry. Ours sounded like a mild announcement."
A Phi Delt would solve that particular problem in 1914. But that is another story.
Petrie finished the 1892 season 2-2-0 and was wise enough to take an early exit from coaching. Instead, he became the embodiment of the Auburn Spirit. A few years before his death he penned the words that form the famous Auburn Creed:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
A Montgomery boy, George Petrie entered the University of Virginia (where he was initiated into Virginia Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta) in 1883, earning a B.A. in 1886 and his Masters' degree in 1887. Pursuing his doctorate at Johns Hopkins, he was swept up in the public's enthusiasm for the new, rough-and-tumble game of football.
He completed his PhD in history, political economy and jurisprudence in 1891—the first Alabamian to earn a PhD degree—and, returning to his home state, took the position of Professor of History and Latin at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, viz. Auburn.
In a 1935 article in The Plainsman, he gave a lengthy account of that first game against Georgia:
"The famous old Kimball House [in Atlanta] was headquarters for both teams. The Georgia boys naturally felt at home and made the whole place ring with 'Rah! Rah! Geor-gee–ah!' It was wonderfully effective. I still think it is the finest college yell in the world. We replied with:
Rah, rah, ree
Rah, rah, ree
Alabama
A.M.C.
The A.M.C. stood for Agricultural and Mechanical College, which was then the name of our institution. Somehow, we couldn't get much punch in it. Their yell was a war cry. Ours sounded like a mild announcement."
A Phi Delt would solve that particular problem in 1914. But that is another story.
Petrie finished the 1892 season 2-2-0 and was wise enough to take an early exit from coaching. Instead, he became the embodiment of the Auburn Spirit. A few years before his death he penned the words that form the famous Auburn Creed:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
