Auburn Friendships Become Family Traditions Through Alpha Gamma Delta Dads and Daughters Trip

What began as a father-daughter road trip to watch the Auburn football team take on the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2024 has grown into a cherished tradition that celebrates much more than football.

On the weekend of October 2, 16 Auburn University students and 15 dads traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, for an Alpha Gamma Delta dads and daughters trip. While an Auburn away game provided the occasion, the weekend was ultimately about strengthening relationships, creating memories, and experiencing the Auburn Family together.

The group traveled together in a rented shuttle bus and stayed in a large eight-bedroom mountain home that comfortably accommodated all 31 travelers.

Adam McKelvey, a Baylor University graduate of Dallas, Texas, praised Auburn University Parent and Family Association Vice President for Communications Trent Ponder for organizing the trip. Although McKelvey knew only a few of the participants before the weekend, he said the experience quickly brought the group together.

"Putting 31 people in one house for three nights seemed a little risky at first, especially when many of us dads didn't know each other," McKelvey said. "But it turned out to be an incredible experience. We had a great time, and it reminded me how special the Auburn Family is. Whenever Auburn people come together, there's a unique sense of community and connection."

Before heading to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, the group spent Friday exploring Dollywood, where they discovered that Auburn spirit travels well beyond the Plains.

"We saw so many people wearing the Auburn logo and hardly made it through a line without hearing a 'War Eagle!'” said Auburn student and Student Government Association Assistant Vice President of External Affairs Erin Mitchell. It was such a fun reminder of how far the Auburn family actually reaches."

For many of the students, the most meaningful part of the trip wasn't the destination. It was seeing Auburn friendships grow into relationships that include entire families.

"One of my favorite things about Auburn is that the friendships you make become so much bigger than just college friendships," said Kensley Williamson. "Our friends have become family, and now our families get to share those memories with us too."

That sentiment was equally evident from the parents' perspective.

"As a dad, one of the best parts of the weekend was getting to see the friendships our daughters have made at Auburn and getting to know the other dads along the way," said Kenny Williamson. "From riding rides at Dollywood and watching football together, it was a weekend full of laughs, great memories, and quality time with our girls that we'll always be thankful for."

The group was welcomed to a tailgate on the University of Tennessee campus by JT and Rita Thome and their daughter, Lily Grace Thome, who participated in the 2024 trip to Lexington, Kentucky. A former president of Alpha Gamma Delta, Thome holds a special place in her heart for the sorority,

“It was really special to see the women I recruited as Alpha Gam president and to watch everything come full circle,” Thome said. “Seeing the friendships and traditions continue with a new group of students was truly special.”

The group hopes to continue the tradition of an Auburn football away game in 2027, with plans to visit either Austin, Texas, or Columbia, Missouri.