3 in-state schools nominated for USA Today’s college sports awards

Our state certainly loves its college sports and USA Today is recognizing that this week in its annual college sports readers choice awards.

Alabama, Auburn and Troy were among those nominated across six different categories. Here’s how you can vote:

• Head to USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards
• Select a category to find the full list of nominations
• Click vote when you find your favorite school
  • You can vote once per day until voting ends on Aug. 17

Keep reading to see what each in-state school was nominated for.

Tuscaloosa takes early lead as Best College Sports Town

Tuscaloosa is known as Title Town for a reason and now, the city is up for a little bit more recognition.

USA Today nominated the home of the Crimson Tide as one of 20 cities up for the Best College Sports Town in the country. Tuscaloosa currently ranks at the top of the list but there is still plenty of time to go so get to voting.

“Crimson is the color that runs through everyone’s bloodlines. The coaches are icons in football. The basketball scene is amazing, and other programs, such as baseball, threaten on the national level. This entire city revolves around the University of Alabama. Throw in a riverfront, SEC, and Southern feels, and you have a place that people will say they went to school and spent many a game day, even if they aren’t alums.”

USA Today

Tuscaloosa is one of nine SEC towns on the nomination list, the most for any conference. SEC towns currently make up the entire top 5 on the leaderboard as of July 21.

Alabama is also nominated for the best college for sports fans where it currently ranks 6th.

Crimson Tide fans will also be excited to see “Dixieland Delight” on the nominee list for best college sports tradition.

“Add in a fan base bellowing Alabama’s ‘Dixieland Delight’—that includes ad-libbed roars toward the visiting team—and you have a tradition that is equal parts incredible and intimidating.”

USA Today

Aubie leads the way for Auburn’s three nominations

Auburn topped its in-state rival with four nominations of its own including best tradition, best college town for sports fans, best marching band and of course, best mascot.

Aubie currently tops the leaderboard for best mascot, which is nothing new for the decorated tiger.

“An 11-time UCA National Champion, including the 2024 title, Aubie has won more mascot national championships than any other collegiate mascot in the nation. In 2006, he became one of the first three collegiate mascots inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Each year, Aubie makes more than 1,000 appearances on campus and across the country, bringing smiles to fans of all ages.”

USA Today

Unsurprisingly, Auburn is also on the nomination list for best tradition for its unique celebration involving the big oak trees at Toomer’s Corner. The school even set a new world record with the tradition in 2025.

“Originally, ticker tape was the preferred confetti, but TP eventually became the go-to for the celebratory tradition, which ramped up after the 1972 Iron Bowl. And yes, the university has the cleanup costs included in its budget.”

USA Today

Auburn is one of 20 colleges nominated for USA Today’s Best College for sports fans. It currently ranks No. 4 on the leaderboard so make sure you help get it to the top.

The marching band took the final nomination for the Tigers. Auburn is not in the top 10 currently so it needs your help to make the final cut.

Troy University fight song gets national attention

There was only one in-state school nominated for best fight song and that nod went to the Troy Trojans.

“Trojans, One and All” was originally written in the 1960s before being updated at the turn of the century. Now it stands as one of the most recognizable fight songs for any school outside the Power 5 conferences.

Troy is currently sixth in the rankings so make sure you get to voting and help the Trojans reach the top spot.