cover.html

<HTML>
<HEAD>
   <TITLE></TITLE>
   </HEAD>
<BODY <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000040">Karsten Bailey</FONT> </H1>

<H3 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#FF8000"><I>Wide Receiver</I></FONT></H3>

<H3 ALIGN=CENTER>by Bob Grant</H3>

<TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=144>
<TR>
<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey1_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=RIGHT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
<HR>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><FONT SIZE=6><B>S</B></FONT>tanding six feet tall and speaking in a choir boy tone of voice, senior wide receiver Karsten Bailey hardly strikes fear into the heart of his opponents when he strides onto the field. But, it is after Bailey crosses the goal line when defenses are left wondering what hit them.

<P>"I've always been a quiet person and I try to live the way my mom raised me, to be respectful and stay on the right path," Bailey said. "I just want to get out there, play the game and let my actions speak for me."

<P>And after three years on the Plains, Bailey has spoken loud and clear.
With 107 career receptions, Bailey is only 35 catches away from breaking Auburn legend Terry Beasley's career mark of 141 receptions. Bailey is also within reach of Beasley's career receiving yardage record, needing 985 yards this season to eclipse the mark.

<P> "I'm sure most of the fans might be surprised to know how close I am (to breaking the records) because I don't talk about it. Beasley means so much to the fans and to the university that it's really an honor just to have the opportunity to break the records," Bailey said.

<P>But record breaking performances do not just happen over night. It takes diligent off-season training and a commitment to giving that extra effort when consumed by exhaustion.

<TABLE ALIGN=RIGHT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=164>
<TR>
<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey2_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=239 ALIGN=RIGHT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
<HR>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P> "I try to pattern my work ethic after Jerry Rice. He is the hardest working player in the NFL and it pays off for him on gamedays," Bailey said.
Bailey's hardwork has paid off for him on gamedays as well. In 1997, Bailey reeled in 53 receptions, just five shy of Frank Sanders' record of 58 in a season, and led the team with 840 yards receiving.

<P>In addition, Bailey ranks ninth in Auburn history for receptions in a game with eight, and 10th in receiving yardage in a game with 151 against Virginia.
"I've never focused on setting records or trying to get the big statistics. I just want to do whatever it takes to win," Bailey said.

<P>Although Bailey has established himself as a big-play college receiver, he might not have ever played sports if not for his mother.

<P>"She put me in sports to keep me out of trouble and off the streets," Bailey said. "She was a single mom and did a great job of raising a young man."
In fact, Bailey would not have played receiver at all if his baseball coaches had not suggested he make the move.

<P>"When I was playing baseball my coaches noticed that I had good eye-to-hand coordination and told me I should start playing receiver. Before that I played quarterback and tailback," Bailey said.

<P>And it didn't take Bailey long to adjust to his new position.
"It was not a difficult switch for me. I am having a lot more fun at receiver than at quarterback or tailback," Bailey said. "Quarterback is a hard position to play and running backs are always getting hit hard. I don't want to have to run through all those lineman."

<P>Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson is glad Bailey does not have to run through all those lineman as well.
"Karsten is a hard worker and has a lot of football sense," Edmondson said. "He is a quiet guy, but leads with his actions on the field. We have built a lot of our offense around him and he has shown us he is willing to carry that kind of weight on his shoulders."

<TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=164>
<TR>
<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey3_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=329>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
<HR>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P>Edmondson added that Bailey has shown the kind of positive attitude and strong work ethic in the pre-season that coaches look for in seniors.
"Karsten has shown us a lot about his character and the type of football player he is. He went through a little slump at the end of the season last year, but he has put that behind him. This spring he only dropped two or three passes, and we counted," Edmondson said.

<P>Looking back over his career at Auburn, Bailey remembers having the jitters when he caught his first pass in a game against UT-Chattanooga in 1995.
"I was so nervous. I had never played in front of that many people before. All the fans were screaming and hollering. I didn't know what to think," Bailey said.

<P> "The first pass I caught was on a curl route and I was so happy that I caught it. I didn't want to drop that ball."

<P>Even though Bailey is perched on the edge of rewriting the record books, he is in no hurry to get through his final season in an Auburn uniform.
"(Former Auburn receiver) Willie Gosha was a junior when I came in as a freshman. He kind of took me in and helped me through the tough times," Bailey said.

<P> "One of the things he told me was to enjoy my time here while it lasted because it would fly by before I knew it. And it has, I feel like I just left high school."

<P>But whether Bailey sets new records or not, his greatest contribution may be serving as role model to Auburn's freshman recruiting class.

<P> "I know some of the young guys look up to me. And I talk to them and try to help them get adjusted to being in college and playing college football," Bailey said.

<P>And if Bailey's impact on the freshman is as significant as his impact on Auburn football, then his success as an Auburn man will be complete.

<CENTER><P><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> | <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM
INDEX</A> | <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P></CENTER>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>&copy; 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


</BODY>
</HTML>
	<HTML>
	<HEAD>
	<TITLE></TITLE>
	</HEAD>
	<BODY <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">>

	<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000040">Karsten Bailey</FONT> </H1>

	<H3 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#FF8000"><I>Wide Receiver</I></FONT></H3>

	<H3 ALIGN=CENTER>by Bob Grant</H3>

	<TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=144>
	<TR>
	<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey1_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=RIGHT>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
	<HR>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	<P><FONT SIZE=6><B>S</B></FONT>tanding six feet tall and speaking in a choir boy tone of voice, senior wide receiver Karsten Bailey hardly strikes fear into the heart of his opponents when he strides onto the field. But, it is after Bailey crosses the goal line when defenses are left wondering what hit them.

	<P>"I've always been a quiet person and I try to live the way my mom raised me, to be respectful and stay on the right path," Bailey said. "I just want to get out there, play the game and let my actions speak for me."

	<P>And after three years on the Plains, Bailey has spoken loud and clear.
	With 107 career receptions, Bailey is only 35 catches away from breaking Auburn legend Terry Beasley's career mark of 141 receptions. Bailey is also within reach of Beasley's career receiving yardage record, needing 985 yards this season to eclipse the mark.

	<P> "I'm sure most of the fans might be surprised to know how close I am (to breaking the records) because I don't talk about it. Beasley means so much to the fans and to the university that it's really an honor just to have the opportunity to break the records," Bailey said.

	<P>But record breaking performances do not just happen over night. It takes diligent off-season training and a commitment to giving that extra effort when consumed by exhaustion.

	<TABLE ALIGN=RIGHT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=164>
	<TR>
	<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey2_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=239 ALIGN=RIGHT>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
	<HR>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	<P> "I try to pattern my work ethic after Jerry Rice. He is the hardest working player in the NFL and it pays off for him on gamedays," Bailey said.
	Bailey's hardwork has paid off for him on gamedays as well. In 1997, Bailey reeled in 53 receptions, just five shy of Frank Sanders' record of 58 in a season, and led the team with 840 yards receiving.

	<P>In addition, Bailey ranks ninth in Auburn history for receptions in a game with eight, and 10th in receiving yardage in a game with 151 against Virginia.
	"I've never focused on setting records or trying to get the big statistics. I just want to do whatever it takes to win," Bailey said.

	<P>Although Bailey has established himself as a big-play college receiver, he might not have ever played sports if not for his mother.

	<P>"She put me in sports to keep me out of trouble and off the streets," Bailey said. "She was a single mom and did a great job of raising a young man."
	In fact, Bailey would not have played receiver at all if his baseball coaches had not suggested he make the move.

	<P>"When I was playing baseball my coaches noticed that I had good eye-to-hand coordination and told me I should start playing receiver. Before that I played quarterback and tailback," Bailey said.

	<P>And it didn't take Bailey long to adjust to his new position.
	"It was not a difficult switch for me. I am having a lot more fun at receiver than at quarterback or tailback," Bailey said. "Quarterback is a hard position to play and running backs are always getting hit hard. I don't want to have to run through all those lineman."

	<P>Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson is glad Bailey does not have to run through all those lineman as well.
	"Karsten is a hard worker and has a lot of football sense," Edmondson said. "He is a quiet guy, but leads with his actions on the field. We have built a lot of our offense around him and he has shown us he is willing to carry that kind of weight on his shoulders."

	<TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=164>
	<TR>
	<TD><IMG SRC="pic/bailey3_bw.jpg" ALT="Karsten Bailey" BORDER=2 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=329>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD><B><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></B>
	<HR>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	<P>Edmondson added that Bailey has shown the kind of positive attitude and strong work ethic in the pre-season that coaches look for in seniors.
	"Karsten has shown us a lot about his character and the type of football player he is. He went through a little slump at the end of the season last year, but he has put that behind him. This spring he only dropped two or three passes, and we counted," Edmondson said.

	<P>Looking back over his career at Auburn, Bailey remembers having the jitters when he caught his first pass in a game against UT-Chattanooga in 1995.
	"I was so nervous. I had never played in front of that many people before. All the fans were screaming and hollering. I didn't know what to think," Bailey said.

	<P> "The first pass I caught was on a curl route and I was so happy that I caught it. I didn't want to drop that ball."

	<P>Even though Bailey is perched on the edge of rewriting the record books, he is in no hurry to get through his final season in an Auburn uniform.
	"(Former Auburn receiver) Willie Gosha was a junior when I came in as a freshman. He kind of took me in and helped me through the tough times," Bailey said.

	<P> "One of the things he told me was to enjoy my time here while it lasted because it would fly by before I knew it. And it has, I feel like I just left high school."

	<P>But whether Bailey sets new records or not, his greatest contribution may be serving as role model to Auburn's freshman recruiting class.

	<P> "I know some of the young guys look up to me. And I talk to them and try to help them get adjusted to being in college and playing college football," Bailey said.

	<P>And if Bailey's impact on the freshman is as significant as his impact on Auburn football, then his success as an Auburn man will be complete.

	<CENTER><P><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> \| <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM
	INDEX</A> \| <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P></CENTER>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>© 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


	</BODY>
	</HTML>