Auburn University celebrates 25 years of the ‘War Eagle Flyover’ tradition

by Justin Walker

We are only days away from the start of college football season. Stadiums will be packed as fans come to experience gamedays in Alabama.

At Auburn University, a popular tradition is entering its’ milestone year. WAKA Action 8 got a behind-the-scenes look at the training that goes into the War Eagle Flyover Tradition.

The tradition involves a soaring eagle high above Jordan-Hare Stadium, before the raptor focuses in on a trainer at the 50-year-line of the field and zooms in. During the flight, fans are yelling “War Eagle, Hey” throughout the booming stadium. It began 25 years ago.

“It’s really majestic,” says Will Johnson, a raptor trainer. “I grew up an Auburn fan so you get kind of memories of being a kid and watching her fly around the stadium. And I got to remember ‘ohhh I’ve got to call her down. I’m the one that has to do this.’ so its really fun.”

According to Dr. Robyn Miller, the director of the Auburn University Raptor Center, the tradition soars above the rest, packing the stadium well before kickoff.

“It started with a humble flight from the end zone to the 50 yard line performed by Tiger, War Eagle VI. And it quickly metamorphes from there to the full soaring fly that we celebrate today,” says Dr. Miller. “Regardless of if you’re an auburn fan or a visiting fan, you’re in your seats early just to see our eagles fly.”

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Dr. Miller explains that a lot of work goes into training the raptors. They begin with shorter flights before gradually working their way to Pat Dye Field.

There are 3 ingredients to training these birds: positive reinforcement, trust and repetition.

“It’s very good for their mental and physical health to fly in the stadium consistently. They train just like our athletes. We are out here flying 5 days a week, flying 3 times a day in order to build up that physical condition and confidence,” said Dr. Miller.

The training is completed by special handlers at Auburn University’s Raptor Center.

“Where else can you get the opportunity to work with these birds and work as closely with these birds,” says Johnson.

The work at the center, however, goes far beyond the training. Amberly Sokoloff is a clinical veterinary fellow at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She serves as the main veterinarian for the Raptor Center, rehabilitating and caring for hundreds of injured or orphaned eagles that are brought in every year.

“I get to not only take care of our wonderful education birds that are ambassadors to the community and live at the center full time. I also get to care for our rehabilitation patients, which are our raptors that have been orphaned or injured in the state of Alabama and stay with us for care,” says Sokoloff.

To mark its 25th year, the university is starting up a campaign this season in honor of War Eagle tradition. This fall will be filled with events, new merchandise, and fundraising. Dr. Miller hopes the festivities will help fund the next 25 years of the raptor center.

“Not only are we advancing the welfare of both wild and non-releasable raptors, which is my life long passions, but we are empowering the conversationalists of tomorrow,” says Dr. Miller.

Auburn University is having some fall programs to give fans the opportunity to see raptor training. You can find more information here. 

Auburn plays its first home game against Ball State on September 6th.