The timing is right for Auburn Live

If you’re reading this, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Auburn Live.

This is going to be a fantastic site. The On3 Sports Network will be a fantastic home. The recruiting database innovations will be superb and the ease-of-use for the site will be top notch. We already have Auburn insiders chomping at the bit to join our community. We’re going to be rocking!

The landscape of college athletics is changing and there’s no better time to launch On3 and Auburn Live.

A quick introduction

Many people are familiar with me, but for those that aren’t, here you go.

I started in this industry at Rivals over 10 years ago, later moving to 247Sports.

I covered a Heisman winner, an undefeated season, a football national championship, a NCAA investigation, a baseball championship, and that was just in Year One.

As the worst Auburn football season in its history unfolded two seasons later, I was there to witness it. One year later, I was standing in the endzone merely yards away to watch Ricardo Louis keep his eye on the ball against Georgia, and Chris Davis become legendary against Alabama. The Rose Bowl is the greatest college football venue I’ve experienced, as Auburn nearly defeated Florida State to win the title. And when Bruce Pearl arrived on the tarmac in Auburn and promised championships, I was there to witness the foundations of the school’s first Final Four run.

I broke a lot of recruiting and team news and developed great relationships with players and coaches. The relationships are the really fun part, with not only players and coaches, but you, the fans.

When I left the industry about six years ago, it was the right decision for me at the time. I learned a boatload during my time away. I traveled in and out of the country for business, and had a blast helping launch a company. Awesome people were met and great times were had, but I was never far away from the Auburn sports community. I stayed on the periphery and kept my fingers on the pulse the best I could.

I’ve lived in Auburn for 12 years now after growing up in Birmingham, Alabama. My wife and our two-year-old daughter just built a new home in Auburn, and I love the place more now than when I got here.

I’ve been around Auburn athletics my entire life. Heck, I have family that were both once SGA presidents at Auburn University. The school and the place have impacted my life and I’m grateful to live in this wonderful town.

Why Auburn Live and why now?

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t looking to get back into the industry. I actually always said I wouldn’t get back into the game. I loved the people, but my life had changed and I was content in other arenas. However, when I was approached with the idea of playing a part in the building of Auburn Live, I was intrigued with the idea.

That idea grew, and in a matter of a couple of days, the fire to cover Auburn athletics and be a part of an awesome community was lit again.

Jeffrey Lee is a Hall-of-Famer when it comes to covering Auburn recruiting. The fact that he was going to be a part of Auburn Live was an important factor in my decision to return. He’s a boss.

Cole Pinkston is a rising star in the recruiting industry. Cole knows football, knows Auburn, and will be a workhorse when it comes to covering Auburn football recruiting. His analysis on Auburn prospects will be must-read content.

Look, we’re playing the long game here at Auburn Live. We will continue to build this team based on the ever-changing landscape of college sports. I think we’re in great position to bring you excellent coverage of Auburn athletics into the next decade and beyond.

Welcome to Auburn Live and we can’t wait to get started.

Follow Justin Hokanson on Twitter at @_JHokanson. Follow Auburn Live on Twitter at @auburnliveon3.