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If you’ve watched Auburn men’s basketball, you’ve probably seen Connor Salter. He’s the one in The Jungle, often donning a coconut bra, and always cheering as loud as he can.

The coconut bra dates back to the 2021-22 basketball season when Auburn was playing the University of Florida, and the theme for the game was “Hawaiian.” 

“I thought, ‘What’s more Hawaiian than a coconut bra?’ he said. And the rest is history.

“I really didn’t expect it to become such a big and recognizable thing,” he said. “I haven’t been able to go to the recent games in the coconuts because of other responsibilities. There have been people on social media asking where I’ve been and saying they want me to come back. Getting recognized walking to class or at Toomer’s after a big game and getting asked to take pictures with people is such an awesome experience.”

But who is Salter when he’s not cheering on the Tigers? And how did he get to Auburn? 

He grew up in Portland, Oregon, but finished high school in Houston, Texas – and in Houston, he made the connection that would lead him to Auburn. His family now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 

“Unlike many Auburn students, I did not grow up an Auburn fan,” he said. “I didn't even tour it when I was deciding on a college. I have my academic advisor in Houston to thank for recommending Auburn to me – Auburn graduate Amy R. Hollie.”

Salter, who is double-majoring in exercise science in the College of Education’s School of Kinesiology and sports journalism in the College of Liberal Arts, will graduate in May. It was a personal training course he took with Laure and Blake Butcher that helped him uncover his career goals.

“They helped me realize that I wanted to go into the field of training athletes,” he said. “Even though I didn’t end up working for them as a trainer, their message and sentiment about helping people and training really helped me find my field.”

Upon graduating, Salter hopes to work as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach while in graduate school and then continue working his way up to coaching.

He said the skills he has learned at Auburn will stay with him as he strives to achieve his goals.

“I have learned how to work hard, be professional, and take pride in my work,” he said. “Auburn has been such a great experience for me and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Aside from watching and attending “just about every sport Auburn offers,” Salter is a part of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and works for War Eagle Productions. That on-campus involvement has only served to enhance his Auburn experience, he said.

“My advice to freshmen coming to Auburn is do everything you can,” he said. “Take every opportunity available to you and embrace being yourself. Also, embrace the Auburn culture and community. The more you will give to it, the more it will give back to you. Treat people with kindness and love.”

As his time as an undergraduate student comes to a close, Salter has fond memories to look back on from his time as a student, including camping out for big basketball games. His favorite memory came in 2020, when ESPN’s College GameDay came to Auburn for the first time for basketball as the Tigers hosted and beat the Kentucky Wildcats.

“I have absolutely loved my Auburn experience, and it has absolutely made me a better person and prepared me for life after college,” Salter said. “I can't thank everyone at Auburn enough for how much care and passion they have for their students. This truly is such a wonderful place where wonderful things happen, and where wonderful people are.”