Every March, college basketball produces a handful of unlikely heroes. Sometimes it’s a sharpshooter from a mid-major school. Sometimes it’s a buzzer-beater. And sometimes, on the rarest occasions, it’s someone who never plays a single minute on the court.
How Amir “Aura” Khan Became a March Madness Icon
Last year, during the beautiful chaos of March Madness, the unlikely hero was Amir “Aura” Khan. Not a star guard or a head coach drawing up last-second plays, but the McNeese State Cowboys’ student manager.
In late February 2025, as the McNeese Cowboys were preparing for another game, Khan led the team through the tunnel, carrying a large boombox. The speakers blasted the team’s walkout anthem, “In & Out” by Lud Foe, and Khan rapped along word-for-word, effortlessly setting the tone for the players trailing behind him.
It was a simple moment, just a student manager doing his job, but it radiated confidence and joy in a way that instantly connected with people. A video of the walkout hit social media and spread like wildfire. Within days, millions had seen it.
Inside the locker room, teammates had already given him a nickname: “Aura.”
Viral fame can disappear quickly, but Khan’s story took a different turn. Opportunities came his way, and he became the first student manager to sign NIL deals. Yet through it all, the core of his role never really changed. He was still the guy making sure jerseys were ready, gear was organized, and the locker room stayed loud and loose before tipoff.
After the 2025 season, McNeese head coach Will Wade accepted a new position at NC State. Khan initially followed him, continuing with the coach who had been a part of his rise. But sometimes the best stories circle back to where they started.
After a few months away, Khan made the decision to return to McNeese State for the 2025-26 season. He later explained that homesickness and complications transferring academic credits played a role in the choice.
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Soon enough, the familiar sight returned: Khan leading the team through the tunnel, boombox on his shoulder, energy dialed up to 11. Now a senior preparing to graduate, Khan is once again part of March Madness.
McNeese State clinched a return to the NCAA Tournament after defeating Stephen F. Austin to win the Southland Conference Championship. With the Cowboys dancing again, Khan has resumed his role as the team’s unofficial hype man, still carrying that signature blue-and-gold boombox.
