Alabama Polytechnic Institute sweatshirts with the API lettering were being replaced with block-lettered AUBURN, reflecting the university's name change to Auburn University.

The issue on the table in Jordan's office was that shiny white football helmet that protected its wearer, but didn't necessarily project the image of its university.

Athletic director Jeff Beard wandered downstairs from his second-floor office in the athletic complex. As he walked by the football coach's quarters, the conversation spilled out and drew him in.

Jordan wanted a tiger on the helmet. Beckwith pushed for an eagle. Beard floated an alternative, trying a little diplomacy. His work-in-progress suggestion involved the initials AU.

"They didn't think much of my idea," Beard said later.

Undeterred, Beard walked on to the athletic equipment room. The former athlete and coach picked up a set of stencils used to paint the university's name on gear boxes. With a pencil, he toyed with the A and U letters, side-by-side, then superimposed.

Slowly, the concept took shape on paper, but the rough stencils, much better suited to a crate of equipment than a rising university's emblem, lacked grace and artistry.

Enter C.H. "Babe" McGehee

Many Auburn alumni, fans and supporters know McGehee as the answer to a trivia question about Tigers athletics. An offensive and defensive end back in 1939, McGehee scored the first touchdown in Cliff Hare Stadium. He was also a member of the track team, which was coached by Beard.

but in 1962, Beard visited McGehee for his graphics arts expertise. The founder of what is now NSP Corporate Graphics in Auburn took Beard's rough pencilled stenciling, listened to the concept and added the professional art touches it needed.

Beard recounted that story not long before his death at age 85.