Auburn University's nickname "Tigers" comes from a line in Oliver Goldsmith's poem, "The Deserted Village," published in May 1770, "where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey...". "Aubie", Auburn's "Tiger" mascot, emerged as a cartoon character on the football program cover in 1959. Gracing the cover, for 18 years, he brought good luck as Auburn posted a home record of 63-16-2. "Aubie" left the cover in 1976 and finally came to life in 1979. He began delighting Auburn fans with his humorous antics. In 1991, "Aubie" was crowned the nation's #1 college mascot.