Faces of the South: Carter Rief

Name: Carter Rief

Place You Call Home: Montgomery, AL

College Team: Auburn/Wofford

Occupation: This year I will be in Washington D.C. taking part in a year-long leadership and discipleship program called the Capital Fellows Program.

How long have you been a fan of Auburn/Wofford? 

Growing up in the state of Alabama, you are only really given two options in terms of college football fandom: Auburn or Alabama. Early on in life, I chose the Orange and Blue. I never wavered with that allegiance, that is, until I enrolled at a little school called Wofford College. I’ll be honest, it took me a couple of seasons of watching the Wofford Wishbone to come to truly love it, but I can now say that my allegiance has decidedly shifted to the Mighty Terriers.

Favorite place to tailgate?

My favorite place to tailgate has got to be the Verandah Lot at Gibbs Stadium. During my senior year, I was given the opportunity to join one of Wofford’s finest families, the Ellett’s, in the Verandah Lot for the 2018 football season. This tailgate location has got it all: delicious food and drink, unparalleled camaraderie amongst the Wofford family, and perhaps the best part is that even when the game starts, the party in the Verandah Lot does not stop.

Favorite Gameday tradition?

My favorite game day tradition (sorry @Wofford) is watching the eagle soaring around and around Jordan-Hare Stadium. There’s a palpable and irresistible energy in this moment. It fuels Auburn fandom and is the catalyst for one of the most energized college football in-stadium experiences in the entire country.

Why did you decide to go to Wofford?

Recently, the Princeton Review ranked Wofford amongst the top in the nation for its alumni network. My choosing Wofford was heavily influenced by a couple of alumni who love the college as much today as they did when they were students on the campus. I attribute my introduction and early infatuation with the college to Patrick Hitchman-Craig ‘12 and Anthony Leigh ‘99. The school, however, certainly did its part in showing me as a prospective student that I would be a name and not just a number on the campus. Even during my very first visit, Wofford treated me like I was already a part of the family. I didn’t really need much more convincing after that.

Who was the most influential person in turning you into a Auburn fan?

MeMaw, my mom’s mother, was certainly the most influential person in steering my allegiance to the Tigers. I grew up watching every Iron Bowl at her house. She always made popcorn on the stove top in one of those little pans that puffs up into a silver dome filled with steamy, buttery goodness. We’d let out a “Weagle! Weagle!” between mouthfuls of popcorn. For a while there, we’d end up fat and happy and relishing in the victory (at least during the 6-game win streak for the Tigers from ‘02 to ‘07) by the end of the game. Between that Iron Bowl win streak during my younger years and the buttery popcorn that went along with it, can you blame me for picking the Tiger?

What is the craziest fashion trend that you ever rocked?

Bieber haircut. Middle school… and maybe too much of high school. The evidence (unfortunately) is still chronicled on Facebook.

If you had to relieve any grade K-12 what year would you choose and why?

I would head all the way back to kindergarten. Why, you ask? Nap time. It was the only grade in which I feel my well-being was truly looked out for. At no other point in my life have I had nap time worked into my schedule by my educational institution. Even now, I am working on these responses for the brothers Paschal and FPF while sitting at work and wishing that I could be napping!

Dream vacation location?

I’d pretty much go anywhere with the Pancho to my Lefty, Baxter Murray (right). Give the two of us a well-worn vehicle (like a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country minivan), a cooler full of hummus and crackers, and a CD of Willie Nelson’s greatest hits, and dream vacation location can’t be too far away.

If you had to choose a tv sitcom to live in for the rest of your life what show would you pick?

I am currently working on a mayoral campaign team, so I have been given a glimpse into the beautiful chaos of local government. I would choose “Parks and Recreation” as the TV show in which I would live for the rest of my life. It’s got a purpose-driven environment: serving the people of Pawnee. It’s got role models of all shapes and sizes: the ever-zealous Leslie Knope, the brutish anarchist Ron Swanson, and the always-adaptive Larry/Gary/Jerry Gergich. It’d be a life filled with wit and wisdom, comedy and chaos, and a slate of ever-entertaining characters.

If you had to the same eat vegetable everyday what would you choose?

I would eat raw spinach. Back in my college days, I started to eat raw spinach in hopes of attaining the strength and physique of Popeye the Sailor. I never quite made it to the famous sailor’s level of physical form, but a serving of spinach everyday or the rest of my days might just get me there.

You’re auditioning for America’s got talent. What’s your talent?

If I had to audition for America’s Got Talent today, I roll my belly fat. It was a great hit when I went to camp as a kid. The people simply loved it. I’m sure all of America would, too!