Look Back ... to Bowden calling it quits at Auburn, 1998

Oct. 24—Oct. 24, 1948, in The Star: The biggest homecoming celebration in the history of Jacksonville State Teachers College yesterday brought approximately 3,000 people to the little town amid the blast of car horns, a deluge of red and white paper streamers, the blare of the college band heading a mile-long parade — which included Anniston on its route — and the greetings of alumni who were arriving all day from far and near. Facsimiles of colorful Jacksonville gamecocks were displayed wherever possible, be it dormitories or on banquet place cards. Old graduates marveled at the change on campus since its days where enrollment was measured by a few hundred, up to now, with 1,200 students. Also this date: In other JSTC news, plans for an Inter-Faith Council were made at the college during a meeting held with Prof. Leon McCluer and representatives from various denominations this week. The purpose of such an organization would be to promote better relations among the various groups and to coordinate efforts to observe special religious occasions, e.g., Easter sunrise services or Thanksgiving dinners.

Oct. 24, 1998, in The Star: Terry Bowden resigned yesterday as Auburn University's football coach, ending a week of speculation and rumor. The resignation, announced yesterday evening, was effective immediately. Defensive coordinator Bill Oliver will assume Bowden's duties for the season's final five games and possibly beyond. Bowden earlier this decade had been Pat Dye's successor, and although he won his first 20 games as head coach, he had never won unqualified acceptance from the "old guard" — a point made particularly clear after a 7-4 finish in the 1996 regular season.