Auburn grad pays tribute to Toomer’s Corner with magnificent tattoo (photo)

On March 22, Harvey Updyke, Jr. — an Alabama Crimson Tide fan — was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal damage for poisoning the legendary Toomer’s Oaks in 2010. The trees, located on the Auburn University campus at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College street, were part of a longstanding school tradition that included fans congregating at Toomer’s Corner and adorning the trees with rolls upon rolls of toilet paper to celebrate big victories by the school’s athletics teams. Due to Updyke’s disgraceful act, the trees are scheduled to be cut down on April 23 after efforts to revive the trees over the years since the poisoning failed. In light of the impending removal of Toomer’s Oaks, Giancarlo Guida, a graduate of the school and a member of the Auburn Tigers rugby team from 1998-2002, wanted to pay proper tribute to the beloved campus symbols and the site where the majestic oaks stood for so many years. And he did so by getting a massive tat...