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A sold-out crowd filled the scholarship terrace in Neville Arena, excited to hear from Auburn University head football coach Hugh Freeze and his wife Jill, on a variety of topics that go well beyond the game of football. The Freezes took time to share about family life and football as the keynote speakers at the “Fall-Star” Supper hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Board in the College of Human Sciences on Wednesday, Sept. 4. 

“I am a firm believer that in life, we ought to make it happen,” Hugh Freeze shared with the crowd. “And to make anything happen you better know what ‘it’ is so you can have a game plan to victory. This is in life and football as well.”

“The most important core value is integrity. Integrity is not always getting it right; it is when you don’t get it right, you own it, you accept the consequences, you make the necessary changes, and you play the next play.”

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze

Coach explained the greatest thing about your “it,” is that it does not have to be great in someone else’s eyes for it to be great. He said as a young man, he would often wonder why his dad, who worked as a high school football coach for 27 years, never wanted something more. Hugh shared how over the years, during visits back home, there were many knocks on the door, as former players stopped by to tell his dad, “thank you for changing my life.” 

“My dad understood his ‘it’ clearly and that was to serve,” said Hugh. “He served every head coach, player and community he was ever a part of extremely well and became the best example to me and anyone.”

Hugh shared his “it” with the packed room filled with Women’s Philanthropy Board members, university leadership and long-time members of the Auburn community. “My ‘it’ is to be known as a family man who loves his family, is passionate about them, would die for them and the same for friends and players.”

To live into that, Coach builds his game plan around the core values of faith, attitude (including mental toughness), integrity and love.

“The most important core value is integrity,” he said. “Integrity is not always getting it right; it is when you don’t get it right, you own it, you accept the consequences, you make the necessary changes, and you play the next play.”

Jill Freeze speaking

Jill Freeze speaks to a sold-out crowd at the “Fall-Star” Supper hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Board in the College of Human Sciences on Sept. 4.

Hugh described his wife Jill as a rockstar and praised her for showing great adaptability in the many moves and inconveniences that come with being the wife of a Division-1 football coach. Jill, in turn, called her husband the rock of their family.

“We have three very strong, independent daughters, and I think that is because of our teamwork,” she said. “I do the day-to-day, but he comes in with the heavy lifting.”

Jill shared a story of how Hugh decided to give their daughters, at ages 16, 15 and 12, a yearly allowance rather than being asked constantly for $20 here and there. She said there were many budgeting lessons to be learned in getting an amount of money in May and nothing until the next May.

“At the end of the first year, he (Hugh) did something that blew me away. He looked at all three and asked them ‘how much did you spend on others?’ He not only taught them about financial responsibility, but he also taught them about having a generous heart and giving back to others. He does this with his players too." 

That desire to give back among the team, was demonstrated recently when several Auburn football players gave a portion of their NIL (name, image and likeness) money to support children who may be on the verge of entering the foster care system, a passion near and dear to the Freezes through Auburn For Others and the CarePortal.

“With careportal.org, you see real needs in real-time right here in Alabama,” said Jill. “And it was a special moment for one young foster mom to tell a family receiving a bed, furniture, and other items, this is from the Auburn football team. The vision is to no longer need foster care by coming alongside and taking care of the vulnerable children in our state.”

The Women’s Philanthropy Board’s (WPB) mission includes serving as mentors for future generations of philanthropists. Executive Director of the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies and WPB Sid James expressed her gratitude for the Freezes' strong message. 

John Cohen with Aubie

Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen with Aubie.

“It was encouraging to hear financial responsibility with a philanthropic spirit has always been top of mind for the Freeze family, in how they raised their children and now how it is modeled for the student-athletes as well,” said James. “It gives you hope for the future generation.”

College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard welcomed and thanked the crowd and explained by being there, supporting the mission of the WPB to inspire, educate and enable individuals to live in financial freedom with the ability to give back, made each attendee a philanthropist with a common bond — a shared love for Auburn. 

“This sold-out event is a testament to our community,” said WPB Director Kim Walker. “We can’t thank our sponsors enough and all who take the time to support the many WPB events offered throughout the year. Your support allows us to offer scholarships and support the overall mission of Human Sciences — to improve quality of life for others, so thank you.”

Athletic Director John Cohen shared an update on how Auburn’s student-athletes are settling in for a new semester and season. He is visiting with every team on campus, encouraging them to be engaged with others, to not let their phones be the center of their lives, to MGD — make good decisions — and cultivate the art of appreciation. Cohen mentioned that he and his wife Nelle have lived in seven SEC cities, and that Auburn stands out as a very special place. 

In closing, coach Freeze encouraged everyone to resist the temptation to give up when life is hard and stay in the game. 

“No matter what hardship you face, whatever challenges you face, stay in the game,” he said. “Keep fighting, keep believing that tomorrow the possibilities are endless.”

The Women’s Philanthropy Board was established in 2002 as an educational, outreach program in Auburn’s College of Human Sciences. For more information about the Women’s Philanthropy Board, including membership and partnership opportunities, visit carycenter.auburn.edu/wpb or contact Kim Walker at 334-844-9156 or kde0004@auburn.edu.