A former coach, who is now responsible for soliciting and cultivating support for the school’s athletic program will be a featured guest at the Escambia County Aubun Club’s meeting Thursday at The Club on Alabama 21.

Assistant Athletic Director Joe Whitt will join three-time Olympian Gabor Mate and Aubie at the group’s first meeting since reorganizing last year, Boardmember Meg Jones told The Atmore Advance in a previous interview.

Whitt played defensive end at Alabama State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1972 and a master’s in 1976. He then became an assistant coach at Robert E. Lee High School.

He coached at Lee from 1974 to 1980 before leaving to coach outside linebackers at Auburn in 1981. He was named assistant head coach in 1998 and coached linebackers at the school in 1999.

He helped the Tigers lead the nation in scoring defense and rank fifth in total defense in 2004. He helped the school win five Southeastern Conference titles and go to 17 bowl games.

Twenty of his former players have gone on to play in the National Football League.

Whitt has been inducted into both the Blount High School and Lee High School halls of fame.

Mate, a Hungarian Discus thrower and Auburn Alumnus competed in the Olympic games in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.

Tickets for the event, which is open to public and not just alumni, are $25 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased at United Bank and Escambia Bank in Flomaton, United Bank and First National Bank and Trust in Atmore and Weaver’s Apparel in Brewton.

Organizers said Tuesday afternoon that 10 tickets would be available at the door.