April 2010
DANCING 'DORES
table of contents 8
12
2 Compliance Corner 4 National Commodore Club 6 In My Words
Mallory Hitt
7 Commodores Cubed
14
WBB advances to NCAA Tournament
8 Tchiengang Stays Rooted Cameroon native works with refugees 12 Reasons to be Excited for 2011
MBB caps strong 2010, looks ahead
13 It’s My Turn—Rod Williamson
Football offices receive lift
14 One Pitch at a Time
22
Life as a relief pitcher
16 Impacting the Field of Life Former Commodore Renford Reese 17 Welch Preps for NFL Draft
John Hall inducted into TSHOF
20 Quick Hits
A look at Vanderbilt’s sports teams
22 Dee Davis: A Player/Coach? Davis looks to coach and play hoops 23 What to Watch for The month ahead
Connect with
VUCOMMODORES.COM You Tube
Podcasting
Online Auctions
Letters Ezeli Still Learning the Game It has been great to watch Festus grow as a player these last two seasons. By the end of this season, he didn’t look a bit like the player he was as a freshman. He seems like a great representative of Vanderbilt, and I’m happy he is able to receive the caliber of education he came to find when he left Nigeria for the U.S. It will be exciting to watch him continue to grow the next two seasons. If he continues to progress as much as he already has, he will be quite the presence in the post as an upperclassman. Chris, Jackson, Tenn.
vucommodores.com
The State of Athletics I have long been a proponent of adding sports at Vanderbilt. I agree that volleyball and men’s track would be natural fits that wouldn’t have high costs because of facilities we already have in place. I feel we could instantly compete in volleyball in the league and that the track team would help the football team and vice versa. I was glad that David Williams has no intent on moving conferences. It would be hard for many fans to see Vanderbilt leave the SEC. The history and rivalries we have in the SEC are something that can’t be overlooked. Marcus, Hendersonville, Tenn.
Hoping for the Hall I was disappointed to hear that Vanderbilt is still at least three years away from building the Hall of Fame. I know it will be a special place to visit on gameday, and it certainly will rekindle some of my favorite memories as a Vanderbilt fan. While I wish the Hall of Fame would have been built yesterday, I am happy we are still renovating facilities. Jeff, Nashville To submit a letter, e-mail CN at: commodorenation@vanderbilt.edu. Letters should include the writer’s name and address and may be edited for clarity and space.
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
1
COMPLIANCE
COR NER Q: A:
The men’s basketball team has been invited to speak at one of the local booster club meetings. The booster club would like to provide lunch during the meeting and plaques for their hard work on the court this year. Is it permissible for them to receive such benefits? Yes. Student-athletes are permitted to receive a meal and transportation in conjunction with the booster club meeting, but it is NOT permissible for the club to provide the athletes with a tangible award. NCAA Bylaw 16.10.1.6 states that a student-athlete may accept transportation and meal expenses in conjunction with participation in a luncheon meeting of a booster club or civic organization, provided the meeting occurs within a 30-mile radius of the institution’s main campus and no tangible award is provided to the student-athlete.
Editorial Publisher: Vanderbilt University
Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Schulz
Director of External Relations: Rod Williamson
Designers: Jeremy Teaford
Ryan Schulz
Digital Image Specialist: Julie Luckett Turner Photographers: Neil Brake
Steve Green Joe Howell
Compliance questions? Please contact: Candice Lee Director of Compliance 615/322-7992 candice.lee@vanderbilt.edu
George Midgett Compliance Coordinator 615/322-2083 george.d.midgett@vanderbilt.edu
Don Jedlovec
John Peach Compliance Coordinator 615/343-1060 john.w.peach@vanderbilt.edu
John Russell Timothy Sofranko
Contributors: Maya Benayoun
Andy Boggs Sterling Frierson Larry Leathers Thomas Samuel Chris Weinman Travis Young
Administrative
Chancellor: Nicholas S. Zeppos Vice Chancellor for University Affairs: David Williams II Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs: Beth Fortune
Vanderbilt University’s Mission, Goals and Values Vanderbilt University is a center for scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large. Vanderbilt will uphold the highest standards and be a leader in the quest for new knowledge through scholarship, dissemination of knowledge through teaching and outreach, and creative experimentation of ideas and concepts. In pursuit of these goals, Vanderbilt values most highly intellectual freedom that supports open inquiry; and equality, compassion and excellence in all endeavors. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university. ON THE COVER: Jermaine Beal (left) and Jence Rhoads (right) PHOTOS: Don Jedlovec (Beal), Timothy Sofranko (Rhoads) POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to National Commodore Club, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville, TN 37212. SUBSCRIPTION: To subscribe to Commodore Nation, please contact Ryan Schulz by phone at 615/343-4396 or by e-mail at commodorenation@vanderbilt.edu ADVERTISEMENT: To advertise with Commodore Nation, please contact Vanderbilt ISP Sports. Jeff Miller, general manager 615/322-4468 jmiller@ispsports.com
Commodore Nation is printed using recycled paper.
2
APRIL 2010
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
3
C O M M O D O R E C LU B
COR N E R
PHONE: 615/322-4114 • ONLINE: vanderbilt.edu/ncc TENNESSEE MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME • FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Derrick Kinslow, NCC Senior Director Lucy Jones and Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys.
LSU MBB GAME • FEBRUARY 12, 2010
John, Arthur and Dr. Kevin Churchwell, CEO and executive director of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, with John Stein (’73).
KENTUCKY WBB GAME • FEBRUARY 14, 2010
Scott Womack and Jennifer Clement will be married in Hawaii in May.
BASEBALL BANQUET • FEBRUARY 13, 2010
Left to right: Rita Bradley, Hank Abbott (’72), Bill Hawkins (’82), Jim Hitt (’63), Curt Casali, Mrs. Monroe Carell (’57) and Christy Passmore, NCC executive director. Casali is the recipient of the Monroe Carell Jr. Baseball Scholarship.
RENEW TODAY! The May 31 deadline to renew your National Commodore Club membership is quickly approaching. To renew, please mail in your membership renewal form, call 615/322-4114, click vanderbilt.edu/ncc or stop by the office in the McGugin Center to make your gift. Your gift will help support scholarships for our student-athletes. Thank you for your continued support of Vanderbilt athletics. Your Membership Matters!
Left to right: Joan King (’72), Paddy Peerman, Bo Mistak (’93), Rhonda Brown (’95), Becky Keck, Betsy Perky (’04). Thanks to Vanderbilt School of Nursing for sponsoring the Pink Out.
4
APRIL 2010
WELCOME FEBRUARY NCC MEMBERS Below are the names of new NCC members who joined in February. We welcome you and look forward to seeing you along the Commodore trail! Encourage your friends and family to join the NCC if they have not already. George Abernathy Cutler Averbuch Chad Basinger William R. Bates Pamela Crewson Kevin Scott Davis Kenneth Ellenberg Jerry W. and Shelia Ron Filson Peter and Jill Fisch Michael Goldston Carol Harrison Henry Hecht
Shelbyville, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. San Diego, Calif. Tullahoma, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Blairsville, Ga. Nashville, Tenn. Ellis Ashland City, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Scarsdale, N.Y. Brentwood, Tenn. Fishers, Ind. Stamford, Conn.
Paul Kuhn Jr. Bob and Melanie Lobo Mark Loes Larry and Marcia Mullins Tim Munn Joe Pennel Jr. James and Katherine Pitman Richard and Lori Scott Gary Stevens John C. and Eileen Thornton George M. Tomlinson Jason Truss JonPaul Wallace
Nashville, Tenn. Brentwood, Tenn. Franklin, Tenn. Brentwood, Tenn. Lincoln, Neb. Franklin, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Carmel, Ind. Chattanooga, Tenn. Hinsdale, Ill. Nashville, Tenn. Winchester, Tenn.
Martha Williams Whitley Nashville, Tenn. G. Michael Yopp Nashville, Tenn.
New NCC member Cutler Averbuch
SUBMIT YOUR SNAPSHOTS Show us your Commodore spirit. Have you attended a recent Vanderbilt sporting event at home or on the road? Have you decked yourself out in Black and Gold to watch the big game? Have you had your photo taken wearing Vanderbilt gear on a vacation? Have you spotted someone else wearing Vanderbilt gear in a tropical locale? If you have, Commodore Nation would love to see your photos. If you are interested in having any of your photos appear in a future issue of Commodore Nation, please e-mail your images to commodorenation@vanderbilt.edu.
PEACH BOWL TEAM CELEBRATES NEW SCHOLARSHIP • FEBRUARY 12, 2010
Former head football Coach Steve Sloan (center) with 1974 Peach Bowl Reunion co-chairs Tate Rich (’76), left, and Jamie O’Rourke (’75).
Members of Vanderbilt’s 1974 Peach Bowl team gather in the Hall of Champions during a special team event before the LSU game.
Vanderbilt’s 1974 Peach Bowl team was recognized during the LSU game for endowing an athletic scholarship for their accomplishments on the field.
vucommodores.com
Members of the 1974 Peach Bowl team presented Vanderbilt with a $325,632 check to endow a football scholarship.
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
5
In My Words
Mallory
Hitt
On if she was hesitant at first to start competing in the heptathlon
throws and distance runners work on their splits. If you
I was a little bit nervous, but I was also excited. I had done the same events for eight years before college, so doing something new was really fun.
are Vanderbilt senior Mallory Hitt, you must find time
to work on all three areas, and then find more time to work on four additional events. As a multi-eventer, finding a balance between the seven events that make up the heptathlon is a challenge Hitt is faced with each week between competitions. Comprised of the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meters, long jump, javelin and 800 meters, the heptathlon is
On her favorite event to compete in High jump. It is the only event I compete in as an open event, as well. It is harder to get better in the event because of how much time I must dedicate to each event. That definitely was a huge setback freshman year. I was used to practicing high jump at least two times a week and now I’ll high jump maybe once a week.
an ultimate test of athletic ability and endurance. In addition
On how she divides up her time training for all seven events
to balancing her time among events on the track, the Baton
We usually try to do one or two events a day to cover all of them within a week. The harder workouts are usually at the beginning of the week, especially when we are in season.
Rouge, La., native has successfully balanced her time in the classroom, where she was named to the 2009 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll and will graduate in May with a degree in
On the goals for her final season
medicine, health and society.
I definitely want to score at the SEC Championships. If I could score in the high jump and heptathlon, it would be a good way to finish my career.
On becoming a multi-eventer Before I got to Vanderbilt I was a sprinter and high jumper and had never done multi-events. The coaches saw that I had the potential to be one. A couple of other coaches I had talked to during the recruiting process had an interest in me doing that. I was probably converted to a multi-eventer because I was a pretty decent sprinter, but not an SEClevel sprinter and then a good high jumper.
6
APRIL 2010
On her next step after graduation I want to go to med school. I’ll go wherever it takes me, but I’ll probably end up back in Louisiana just because of how med schools tend to work. I love south Louisiana. n
JOHN RUSSELL
S
printers practice sprinting, throwers work on their
By The
Commodores Cubed
NUMBERS
anthony GOMEZ
DeANDRE JONES
laura KEENAN
casey BAKKER
My oddest talent is ...
Juggling
I’m not psychic, but I always get a feeling something is going to happen before it does.
I can eat meatballs the size of softballs
I don’t have any odd talents. I am a really good cook though.
Rather go skiing or to the beach
Beach
Beach — I hate the cold
Beach
100 percent the beach
Tripped down the staircase at the McGugin Center
When I was 8 or 9, I was dancing at my cousins’ wedding and knocked over two speakers when I did a spin move
When my best friend’s boyfriend read an e-mail I sent her
In HS basketball, I lost track of time and got called for traveling as I was celebrating when there was still 12 seconds left.
The Sandlot
300 — I watched it before every game in high school
Baseball
Most embarrassing thing I’ve done
Favorite movie of all-time
Football
Lacrosse
Lacrosse
The Lion King
Remember the Titans
Women’s Hoops Just Misses Sweet 16
vucommodores.com
was able to accomplish during the 2009-10 season. Despite the team’s tallest starter being 6-foot-1, the Commodores more than made up for their lack of size by finishing second in the conference in field-goal percentage and three-point field-goal percentage. Vanderbilt also had to overcome a rash of injuries. The Commodores were without junior Jence Rhoads for two games, sophomore Jordan Coleman was lost for the season on Dec. 2 and freshman Stephanie Holzer missed the entire season due to injury. With all the challenges thrown Vanderbilt’s way this season, the team should be more than prepared for anything that may come their way next season. n TIMOTHY SOFRANKO
U
ndersized and undermanned, Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team overcame odds and came within one basket of advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season. After holding off DePaul in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Vanderbilt lost a heartbreaker to Xavier, 63-62, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to finish the season 23-11. Playing on Xavier’s home floor, Vanderbilt had its final two shots rim out. “That was a tough way to lose,” Head Coach Melanie Balcomb said. “That was one of those games you hate to see either team lose.” Although the Commodores lost the game, it shouldn’t diminish what the team
3
players in school history have 1,000 points, 400 assists and 125 steals in their careers — Jermaine Beal, Kevin Anglin and Frank Seckar.
0
players in school history have been a part of as many wins as Jermaine Beal.
$30
is the cost to purchase a weekend ticket package to any remaining Vanderbilt home baseball series.
24
wins by Vanderbilt’s men’s basketball team during the 2009-10 season — tying for the third most in school history.
0
The number of players in school history with as many career three-pointers as Merideth Marsh, who broke Abi Ramsey’s record of 252.
1
time in Head Coach Tim Corbin’s first seven seasons did Vanderbilt not have an eventual first-round draft pick starting on opening day — in 2005 Ryan Mullins was a third-round pick.
41st
Vanderbilt’s rank in online store revenue during the fourth quarter of 2009 among schools with Web sites hosted by CBS College Sports.
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
7
Tchiengang Stays Close to his Roots in Nashville
8
APRIL 2010
STEVE GREEN
W
hen Steve Tchiengang and Phinias Nyabenda were together, everything seemed perfect. Their smiles were contagious to those around them, and their laughter always filled the room. Neither wanted the moment to end. They didn’t have to worry about not having a supply of water or food like they did when they lived in Africa, they didn’t have to worry about getting acclimated to a new country, and most importantly cancer wasn’t on their minds. In August of 2008 at only 19 years old, Nyabenda, an African immigrant, was diagnosed with aggressive osteosarcoma — a form of cancer that starts in the bones. That same summer Tchiengang, a native of Cameroon and now a sophomore forward on Vanderbilt’s men’s basketball team, arrived at Vanderbilt as a freshman. Tchiengang didn’t know it at the time, but he was about to begin a friendship that would affect him forever. It’s a friendship that would not have happened without a high school student at Montgomery Bell Academy named Rob Higham. It was Higham, now a senior at MBA, who reached out to Tchiengang through a simple e-mail almost two years ago to see if he would be interested in helping African refugees in Nashville through outreach organizations called African Leadership and Nation’s Ministry. Both organizations provide assistance to African refugees in Nashville, and Higham is actively involved in both. The e-mail sparked an interest, and Tchiengang agreed to help any way he could. Along with Higham, Tchiengang began visiting a group of African refugees living in Nashville and befriended them. “I just felt like it was a call from God to help others,” Tchiengang said. “I know the difficulties and struggles they face.” It was through Higham that Tchiengang was introduced to Nyabenda. “The day after I told him (about Nyabenda’s condition), Steve visited him in the hospital after running all over campus that morning, getting personal notes of encouragement from his coaches and autographs from his teammates,” Higham said. “They met that day in the hospital and had an instant connection.” The friendship Tchiengang and Nyabenda shared grew quickly. Tchiengang invited him and other refugees to a basketball game during the 2008-09 season, he visited Nyabenda at his apartment. When he didn’t visit him in person, they talked on the phone. “There was one day in May when Phinias was really not doing well, and Steve called him from his home in Houston,” Higham said. “I will never forget the smile I saw on Phinias’ face that day when I handed him the phone and said, ‘It’s Steve.’ In such a short time, they became so close. Their relationship was incredibly special.”
When Tchiengang and Nyabenda were together, everything seemed perfect on the surface, but deep down it was not. Nyabenda’s condition continued to worsen, and sadly, on July 1, 2009, just one week after his 20th birthday, he lost his fight with cancer. “Phinias is a guy that impacted me,” Tchiengang said. “He suffered, but every time I saw him, he smiled. He reminded me how good of a situation I have.” Although Nyabenda is gone, Tchiengang has continued to touch the lives of other African refugees, while helping them become acclimated to living in the U.S. Nashville is
home to many African refugees from multiple African countries that have been ravaged by violence and civil war for many years. Among the children Tchiengang speaks to are refugees from Burundi, a small country in south central Africa, who arrived in Nashville almost three years ago. “I’m going to try to help out while I am here and try to support as much as I can,” Tchiengang said. “I just try to help them as much as I can with the transition and help them maximize their opportunities and chances to succeed over here.”
Tchiengang with Phinias Nyabenda, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and passed away on July 1, 2009.
There is no one more suited for the job than Tchiengang. He spent the first 15 years of his life in Cameroon before moving to the U.S. in 2004 to live with his adopted parents, David and Kathy Ambrose. Tchiengang plays basketball now, but as a child in Cameroon, the sport was far from his mind. Instead of basketball, Tchiengang played soccer, a sport he believes he could have gone professional in if he had stuck with it. Tchiengang didn’t pick up a basketball until six months before coming to the U.S. when he was introduced to the sport because of his height. When he arrived in the U.S., Tchiengang spoke French and Spanish. The only knowledge of the English language he had were of common phrases such as “thank you” and “hello.” Over time, Tchiengang was able to learn English thanks to the help of his adopted little brother, Michael Ambrose. Just six years removed from living in Cameroon, Tchiengang still has a strong French accent, but he now speaks English fluently and is continually getting more comfortable with the language. Like when Tchiengang arrived in the U.S, the African refugees he works with did not know English when they came to the U.S. One of the primary goals of Nation’s Ministry and African Leadership is to teach African refugees the English language. Tchiengang understands just how important it is to learn English, which is why he stresses it when he speaks to the children. “The biggest problem we face is that most of these kids’ parents were born in refugee camps, as well, and don’t have an education, so they don’t understand the importance of their children’s education,” Higham said. “The parents haven’t put forth enough effort to learn English themselves, so when the children go home from school and the
vucommodores.com
Tchiengang speaks to African refugees in Nashville about the importance of learning English.
tutoring program, they go back to speaking their native languages. “Steve’s belief, and my belief as well, is that they need to be speaking English all the time if they are going to become proficient, graduate from high school and pursue college, which is our hope.” Having gone through the same immigration process, and still doing so, Tchiengang can relate to the children he speaks to. “The transition is different because people live differently in the U.S.,” Tchiengang said. “You’ve got to get used to having a full supply of water and a full supply of food. People around you are always nice. It is a totally different world. The transition was very difficult at the time for me. With the help of my family I got used to it, and now I’m pretty integrated into it.” Just as Tchiengang can relate to the children, they can relate to him. “Steve can speak to these kids in a way that I can’t,” Higham said. “That’s what has made what he is doing so meaningful and important as it is. These kids see themselves in Steve. He came here and didn’t know how to speak English, so they had a similar immigration process.” In addition to speaking to the children, Tchiengang has been able to have a group of children come to watch him and his teammates play a couple times a year. Even though a lot of the children don’t understand the game, Higham can tell that it motivates them when they watch Tchiengang succeeding at a sport he didn’t start playing until six months before moving to the U.S. “Being able to watch him play and see how successful he has become really motivates them,” Higham said. “Seeing how much he cares for them is also really motivating to them.” Tchiengang also has helped bring the refu-
gees to a football game and a women’s basketball game. On both occasions, Tchiengang has met the group and connected members of the team with the refugees. Tchiengang has treated the children like family. This past December, he took his generosity to another level. After seeing the shoes the refugees were wearing at the Vanderbilt game they attended, he purchased new shoes on his own dime for the kids at the game. “Whenever I can touch someone else’s life, I will try my best to do so,” Tchiengang said. “I would literally put together a campaign to get some shoes, but if I can provide it myself, I will just go out and do it myself. I know how important it is to have a pair of shoes for a person from Africa. To donate shoes to those kids, it is something that touches their hearts so much. It is just a feeling that I can’t really explain.” Tchiengang also donates shoes and clothing he has to friends and family in Cameroon, who are not as fortunate. “They have shoes, but the quality is terrible,” Tchiengang said. “I wore the same shoes to play soccer that I wore to go to school. You didn’t have options. It is my way of showing people I care, and I will help them out as much as I can.” Tchiengang’s work with the refugees has made him a role model to many, but to Tchiengang, the real role model is the person who opened the door for his work. “To me, Rob is a role model,” Tchiengang said. “He just does it out of the bottom of his heart, and I just want to be a part of it because it is something special. I just want to make them feel part of the community and make sure they know they haven’t been forgotten and someone is out there thinking about them.” n
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
9
10
APRIL 2010
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
11
5 Reasons Vanderbilt Could be Better in 2011
T
he 2009-10 Vanderbilt team captivated Nashville’s attention, but for as good as the Commodores were this past season, they could be even better next year. Unlike Vanderbilt’s 2008 NCAA Tournament team that started three seniors, Vanderbilt should return everyone but senior point guard Jermaine Beal off this year’s squad. Here are five reasons you can expect Vanderbilt to be even better next year. 1. Experience People can easily get caught up in a season and forget that what they were watching was still a very young team. Beyond Jermaine Beal, the only junior that saw significant minutes this season was center A.J. Ogilvy. Given another offseason in the weight room and more time together on the practice floor, the group of underclassmen should only improve.
3. Top teams lose key personnel The team that finished above Vanderbilt in the SEC East (Kentucky) and the team that finished below them (Tennessee) will have gaping holes to replace next season. Kentucky is expected to lose four of its five starters to the NBA Draft: John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson. Tennessee also will have to work in new personnel with three of its top four scorers exhausting their eligibility. Gone will be Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince and Bobby Maze. 4. Kyle Fuller Undoubtedly, Jermaine Beal will be missed greatly next season after concluding one of the great careers in Vanderbilt history. Playing what is arguably the most important position on the floor, Beal became the go-to player for the Commodores. Replacing Beal will
DON JEDLOVEC
2. Memorial Gym The Commodores lost two games at Memorial Gym this season, and don’t expect them to lose more than that next year or in the years to come. In the past seven seasons, Vanderbilt is 103-18 at Memorial Gym, with a winning percentage of 85.1. No other school in the league has as high of a home winning percentage since 2004 as Vanderbilt does. be difficult, but expect signee Kyle Fuller to play a key role in filling Beal’s massive shoes. A lightning-quick point guard with a smooth shooting stroke, the Moreno Valley, Calif., native chose Vanderbilt over California, UCLA and Marquette. He is expected to make an immediate impact. 5. Ezeli and Tchiengang Few players in college basketball have as high of ceilings as Festus Ezeli and Steve Tchiengang. Blessed with size and athleticism, Ezeli and Tchiengang still are new to the game—having first picked up a basketball in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Both players will be juniors next year, and, given their rapid growth from their freshman to sophomore years, there is no reason to think the growth pattern will slow down any time soon. n
Commodores end season at NCAA Tournament
DON JEDLOVEC
T
12
APRIL 2010
he month of March began on a Tuesday night in Gainesville, Fla., when Vanderbilt clinched secondplace in the SEC East. The sky seemed to be the limit that night for the Commodores, who moved to 23-6 on the season. Sixteen days later Vanderbilt’s season would come crashing to a halt following a flip of the wrist by a little-known player named Danero Thomas. What began as a month of unlimited potential would be over in even more dramatic of a fashion than it had begun. “I think that the things that plagued our team all season long showed up today,” Head Coach Kevin Stallings said. “I feel really badly for my players. I feel really badly for Jermaine (Beal). That’s why this is a great tournament because things like that happen.” Little did anyone know at the time, but Vanderbilt’s win that night at Florida would be the beginning of the end for the Com-
modores. Vanderbilt would lose three of its final four games with its last loss coming at the hands of 13th-seeded Murray State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the end, what played a significant role in Vanderbilt’s undoing was what was one of its strong suits all season—free throws. After shooting 80.8 percent from the free-throw line in its previous eight games, the Commodores shot 58.8 and 58.6 percent, respectively, in their last two losses. The team made and attempted the second-most free throws in school history, but when games mattered most, the free throws were not there. “We didn’t do a great job of shooting our foul shots,” Stallings said. “That’s what happens in the tournament, nerves. We might have had a different outcome had we shot the ball better from the foul line like we normally do.” Then again, they don’t call it March Madness for nothing. n
It’s My Turn By Rod Williamson
Football Offices Receive a Lift
T
here’s a much needed renovation happening right now in the football wing of McGugin Center. In late February the coaching and support staff moved to temporary quarters in Vanderbilt Stadium’s pressbox, clearing the way for crews to tear down the old and ring in the new. The football coaching staff, administrative support and video services offices are being reconstructed, providing more efficient work space, updated furnishings, cutting-edge technology and an inviting area to bring recruits and their families. This will be completed by late July. The McGugin Center has been the home of athletic administration and most of our coaching staff for about four decades. It got a complete makeover during the last days of the Roy Kramer era in 1990, but aside from some freshening up, it has remained largely the same since. So what, you say? Here’s why this is significant if you care about the success of our athletics in general, and football in particular. Recruiting the finest student-athletes is the lifeblood of any collegiate program. “You can’t win the Kentucky Derby with a mule,” they used to say, and that holds true in today’s ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference. All of our coaching staffs recruit nationally, which is a challenge in itself. With few exceptions, most of our student-athletes grow up far from West End and know precious little about our academic and athletic heritage until they begin to be recruited. Why, some are even unaware of Nashville! This is very unlike our state school counterparts, where rosters are dominated by in-state youngsters who have closely followed their home state team for years. This is a big advantage. That’s OK. We have a lot to offer a talented individual, but it becomes important that we make very good first impressions. As a donor to our scholarship program, you know what Vanderbilt can offer. A 17-year old kid that has just been wined and dined by competitors doesn’t have your frame of reference. I recently drove through a major city that shall remain nameless. I remember the drive because I was reacting as though I was on an obstacle course—dodging one pothole, then another. Mother Nature has caused many roadways to suffer, but this was on a whole new level to me. Ironically, not too many miles away, a literal Taj Mahal of athletic facilities existed for a coaching staff compensated in the style of Wall Street tycoons. If there was a rut in front of the stadium, I’m betting it would be fixed by sundown. Can you say “priorities”? I mention this anecdote because some fans don’t realize there’s been an athletic facilities arms race going on for many years. It shows little or no sign of letting up, even in these cash-strapped times. States that can’t find funding to fix major interstates or pay their teachers somehow can come up with the mega-dollars to build spectacular locker rooms and VIP boxes lined in mahogany or cherry. Vanderbilt athletics has done its best to carefully measure what is needed versus what is over-the-top. Our calling card will always be our Top 20 academics and the possibilities that await our graduates. Nashville almost sells itself. But we have to make sure that the best and brightest young people—ones with many college options— see Commodore athletics as current and progressive. Our athletic development officers are always in discussion with friends of the department who understand this scenario and are willing and able to assist us financially to make these improvements happen. In 2010, quality facilities are not the frosting—they’ve become the cake. n
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
13
JOHN RUSSELL
Living One Pitch at a Time In the history of baseball, just four relief pitchers have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Yet, for a role that is often filled with nameless faces to the casual fan, the relief pitching on a team can often make or break a team’s fortunes. For as valuable relief pitching can be to teams, it remains one of the only positions in sports that players are not directly recruited for. “Everyone probably comes in here wanting to start,” Johnson said. “We don’t really hire relievers. We end up getting guys we turn into relievers because not everyone can start.” Moving from starting to a relief role can be a difficult adjustment for players. No one on the Commodores understands this more than senior Drew Hayes. Throughout his career, he has spent time shuffling back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. Last year he made six starts in 18 appearances. “As a starter you know that you are going to throw one day a week and the other six days, I’m doing what I need to do to lead up to my next start,” Hayes said. “As a reliever, you can’t plan out your week the same way. It’s a little more difficult to do your weight training, it’s a little more difficult to do your long toss because Pitcher Will Clinard warms up in the bullpen, while catcher Nate Gonzalez looks on. you could come in any game, so you don’t want to lift too heavy or throw too much.” For the majority of games, relievers spend their time on the bench e all know the feeling you get when you wake up and realize you overslept. You go from lying motionless into waiting for the call to warm up. All of the waiting can make it chala full-fledged race against the clock. The knot you first lenging for the players to stay in the game mentally. “Mentally it is a little tougher being a reliever because mentally you felt in your stomach is replaced with an increased heart have to come to the field every day expecting that I’m going to be in rate and the sound of heavy breathing. In a lot of ways, relief pitchers face a similar race against the clock the game,” Hayes said. “You’ve got to be mentally prepared to pitch, when their number is called to warm up in the bullpen. Hearing the which takes a lot out of you. Coming in on a day-to-day basis and magic words or getting the go-ahead signal sets off an explosion of getting yourself mentally ready, making sure you know the scouting emotions for relief pitchers, who can sit stagnant for hours on the report. It wears on you mentally.” Just as it can wear on a pitcher mentally, the short amount of bench before the switch is flipped and their lives are suddenly turned time relievers have to warm up can wear on them physically. The into a mad scramble to get to the bullpen and begin warming up. It’s a frenetic moment, where thoughts are racing through your turnaround can be quick to enter the game, which is why members head and just remembering to tie your spikes can be tough. It’s a of Vanderbilt’s bullpen put so much credit toward the stretches the moment that relief pitchers know well, and most can tell you a story players in the dugout do between each inning. “It really does help, and it is something we take a lot of pride in,” about themselves or a teammate forgetting to take their glove or hat Hayes said. “If you can be ready to pitch one or two hitters early, it with them to the bullpen. “At first, I would forget something,” Vanderbilt junior closer Russell saves the pitcher on the mound one or two hitters.” Being mentally and physically ready to enter the game is imporBrewer said. “I’d forget my hat, or I’d forget that I had my sleeves on. It took a few times to be prepared for the moment. Now I’ve gotten tant, but neither can account for the situations relief pitchers face on it down to a routine. I come in and put my stuff in the same spot, so a game-by-game basis. Dealing with uncomfortable situations is commonplace for relief I know where it is.” Getting to the bullpen and getting warm can become routine over pitchers, who usually are called upon in a game when the atmotime for a veteran player, but for inexperienced pitchers, the moment sphere and the tension are at their highest peak. It’s a situation that is difficult to prepare for through practice. is something that is difficult to prepare for. “Putting them in certain positions and situations in practice cer“A guy that hasn’t been out there a lot is going to take the (call to the bullpen) differently and is a little bit more rushed,” said Vanderbilt tainly helps, but a lot of it goes back to the comfort level of being in Associate Head Coach Derek Johnson, who is in his ninth season when things are tough and the game is on the line,” Johnson said. A key part of dealing with the situation is keeping your emooverseeing the pitching staff. “I think the more you do it, the easier it becomes. You sort of know yourself and know how long it takes to tions in check. Not getting too high or too low is something Brewer get ready. Russell Brewer nods his head and gets down there, and I learned in his first relief appearance when his first pitch sailed into the backstop. don’t really have to worry about him.” “I came in and was so nervous and jacked up because it was The Commodores haven’t had to worry about Brewer, a converted infielder, getting ready to pitch, and they usually don’t have to worry my first outing,” Brewer said. “You definitely have to be in control about him when he does. One of the top closers in the SEC, Brewer of your emotions when you go out there because you have your is the anchor of Vanderbilt’s bullpen—one of the most important, but adrenaline pumping.” also least glamorous facets of a team.
W
14
APRIL 2010
JOHN RUSSELL
Pitcher Corey Williams, left, and Russell Brewer use resistance bands before a game.
Players deal with their emotions in different ways. For Brewer, it is all about blocking out his surroundings. “I don’t hear anything when I go out on the mound,” Brewer said. “It can be really loud and I don’t hear anything. I might hear it when I’m running out there or warming up in the bullpen, but when I get out on that mound, it is silent.” Everything is silent until the job is done, but even then, it isn’t really done as a reliever. After all, there is another game tomorrow and you never know when that next call to the bullpen will be. n
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
15
Dr. Renford Reese – Making an Impact in the Field of Life By David L. Hudson Jr.
M
ost people go through life without achieving greatness, transforming lives, improving communities and making a global impact. But Dr. Renford Reese is not most people. He is a uniquely talented and driven individual who creates a better world through his books, lectures and community-based programs. A political science professor at Cal Poly Pomona University, Reese founded the Colorful Flags program—in the wake of race-based violence—which helps people to achieve cross-racial understanding. Schools, police departments and socialservice agencies use the program to foster racial harmony. He developed a Reintegration Academy that helps young parolees turn their lives to the positive. He has traveled to 58 countries, studied at the United Nations Institute for Social Development in Geneva, Switzerland, and soon will deliver a series of lectures in the Far East at the behest of the U.S. State Department. But long before Renford Reese began changing communities and affecting lives, he made an impact on the football field at Vanderbilt University. A native of McDonough, Ga., Reese began his Commodore gridiron career in 1985 as a redshirt freshman under Coach George McIntyre. He then played four years under the tutelage of Watson Brown—playing middle linebacker, outside linebacker, cornerback and safety. “When I came to Vanderbilt, there was no one to back up star linebacker Chris Gaines, so at 193 pounds I became the smallest middle linebacker in the SEC,” he recalls. “I later went from the smallest middle linebacker to the biggest cornerback in the league.” He played against the best of the best, locking horns with the likes of Emmitt Smith from Florida, Carl Pickens from the University of Tennessee and Rodney Hampton from Georgia. “I remember Emmitt Smith as a great competitor and incredible athlete. I believe we put him back in the Heisman race that year after the game he had against us.” While Reese played on teams that won very few games, he fondly remembers his days as a Commodore gridiron star. “We could play with most SEC teams for three quarters, but we didn’t have the depth of the other schools,” he said. By his senior year, Reese had become a shutdown defensive back who attracted the attention of pro scouts. He played in the prestigious Blue-Gray all-star game and attended the NFL combine in 1990. Many— including Reese—thought his name would be called on draft day. It wasn’t, and that devastated Reese. “It was traumatic for me, as I was socialized to believing I was the best,” he said. After he didn’t make the NFL, it became difficult
16
APRIL 2010
Renford Reese was a four-year letterman for the Commodores from 1986 to 1989.
for Reese in Nashville, as people continually asked him about not making the pros. Fortunately, Reese acquired the tools to succeed beyond the football field as a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University. During his five years in Nashville, he earned not only his undergraduate degree but also a master’s degree in public policy studies. He learned the value of education from his parents, as his mother served as a secondary school principal and his father was one of the first African-American sportswriters at a major newspaper. Still, Reese left Nashville and moved to Seattle, needing a change of scenery after the draft disappointment. He even slept in his car and played the saxophone on the street for a time in Seattle before moving to Los Angeles to enroll at USC. “I chose USC, as its doctoral program was one of the best in the country. It was in Los Angeles right after the riots. I knew Los Angeles would become my laboratory.” Reese turned his energies to even more education and success in academia. “I took the intensity from the football field and turned it into something else,” he said. While at USC, he developed the Colorful Flags program as a possible path to alleviating racial tensions in the community. “A professor told me: ‘This program is brilliantly simple.’ It gave me a chance to create a type of platform for me to develop certain communicative skills and allowed me to become savvy at how to implement a social program that can impact lives.”
Reese later authored books that changed lives, such as American Paradox: Young Black Men (2004), Prison Race (2006) and American Bravado (2007). In American Paradox, Reese examined African-American youth by interviewing nearly 800 young men in Los Angeles and Atlanta. He warned that young African-American males must resist a gangsta-thug mentality and false bravado that leads to counterproductive lives. “I’ve had people write me from prison, saying the book has changed the way they look at life,” he said. Reflecting on his collegiate athletic career, Reese has no regrets. “We won 1.2 games a year when I was at Vanderbilt, and we had more downs than ups, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world and would do it all over again. We knew we were special, that playing football was a means to an end. We knew we were part of an elite cadre of individuals that had developed special bonds at Vanderbilt.” Reese knows that his path to becoming “an ambassador for positive social change” would not be possible without his Vanderbilt experience. “I am so thankful for the rich learning environment at Vanderbilt and my SEC experiences. While I garnered no bowl rings, I’m very grateful to Vanderbilt, its professors and coaches for laying the foundations for me to succeed later in life.” n David L. Hudson Jr., an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School and a scholar at the First Amendment Center, is the author or co-author of 28 books.
John Hall Enshrined in TSHOF
T
wo years after being enshrined in the Vanderbilt Hall of Fame as a part of the 2008 inaugural class, John Hall, a former football captain and scholar-athlete for the Commodores, joined another prestigious group on Feb. 19 when he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Hall was one of 11 inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame at the 2010 Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. A former defensive lineman for Vanderbilt, Hall starred for the Commodores from 1951 to 1954 and earned First Team AcaJohn Hall, center, with Vice demic All-America honors as a senior. After Chancellor David Williams, left, graduating magna cum laude with a degree and Head Football in chemical engineering, Hall had an enorCoach Bobby Johnson. mously successful business career that led to him becoming chairman and CEO of Ashland Inc. at the age of 48. During his induction speech, Hall attributed his time at Vanderbilt on the football field and in the classroom for his successful business career. “I’m a different person than I would have been without that football scholarship and those Vanderbilt engineering professors,” Hall said. “Because of what each have meant to me, I’ve always felt it was my responsibility to give back to Vanderbilt.” In the video introduction for Hall, he showed off the game ball he received after Vanderbilt’s 26-0 victory over Tennessee in 1954. The game was extra special to Hall, who grew up in Knoxville. “The deciding factor in me coming to Vanderbilt was that my dad went to Vanderbilt,” Hall said. “I was never sorry I went there. “Vanderbilt is an institution I love. I love the fact so many come to Vanderbilt and go out a different person.” n
Commodore Flashback: 15 Years
Preparing for the Draft Former Commodore offensive tackle Thomas Welch discuses what he has been doing to prepare for the NFL Draft April 22-24.
M
y preparation for the draft started a week after the season ended. After taking a week off, I started lifting while continuing to rehab my ankle, which I injured during the season. After graduating in December with a degree in economics, I went to Florida over Christmas, and Coach (John) Sisk gave me a workout routine that I followed five days a week while I was there. At the beginning of the year, I came back to Nashville and have been going after it pretty hard with Coach Sisk. Five days a week I’ll come in at 10 a.m. to work out. Sometimes I’ll come in on Saturday and run outside on the turf and do some agility work. I am focusing primarily on my total body mobility and doing lots of work to improve my core strength. The last six weeks of the season, I had a sprained ankle, so I really didn’t play as much as I would have liked. I’ve changed my diet since the season ended. I’m eating a lot healthier than I used to — a lot of protein and lean meat. I’m just trying to gain a few pounds, but want to make sure I’m gaining the right kind of weight, while maintaining a high level of energy for my workouts. My agent let me decide where I wanted to train. I could have gone elsewhere, but I felt like Coach Sisk has such a great rapport with so many people in the NFL and has a great track record with players like Chris Williams and Jay Cutler. Pretty much all of the guys from Vanderbilt who have gone on and been successful in the NFL have trained with him. He knows my body. He knows what I need to work on. I felt like it was a good fit to stay here with him. I had the opportunity to go to the Senior Bowl at the end of January, and it was a great experience. Right when I walked into the lobby of the hotel, there were hundreds of scouts there. It was a good atmosphere and experience to be a part of. I had a great time, performed well and hopefully it will help me out come the draft. I am not sure where I’m going to watch the draft. I’ll probably just watch it at home with my family. I’ve also got a friend who owns Jonathan’s Grille in Franklin, so I may watch it there and hang out with my friends. n — As told to Ryan Schulz
1995 SEC Tournament Champs
L
vucommodores.com
JOHN RUSSELL
ed by Head Coach Jim Foster and All-SEC selections Sheri Sam and Angela Gorsica, Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team won its second SEC Tournament title in school history during the 1994-95 season. Two years after claiming its first SEC Tournament in 1993, Vanderbilt won its second by defeating Ole Miss (64-57) in the quarterfinals, Georgia (82-56) in the semifinals and Tennessee (67-61) in the championship. Following the SEC Tournament, the Commodores went on to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Purdue, 67-66, to finish the season 28-7 overall. Their 28 wins remains tied for the third-most in school history. n
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
17
18
APRIL 2010
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
19
Quick Hits
• S ophomore pitcher Sonny Gray was
named SEC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 22 after tossing eight innings of three-hit shutout baseball against Niagara. • Vanderbilt won the Music City Classic on March 7 by defeating Indiana, 6-5, in 11 innings.
a 2005 graduate, was promoted from graduate assistant to linebackers coach at UCLA. Lea was an offensive graduate assistant for Vanderbilt in the spring of 2005 and had served two seasons (2007 and 2008) as linebackers coach at South Dakota State.
• Vanderbilt finished fifth on March 14 at • Vanderbilt had four players earn All-
SEC honors, and Head Coach Kevin Stallings was named SEC Coach of the Year by the league’s coaches. • S enior Jermaine Beal was a unanimous first team All-SEC selection by the coaches. • S ophomore Jeffery Taylor and junior A.J. Ogilvy earned second team AllSEC honors. • Freshman John Jenkins was named to the All-Freshman team and also was tabbed as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year. • T he SEC Coach of the Year award was the second of Stallings career. He also claimed the honor in 2007. • S tallings was also named NABC District 21 Coach of the Year. • Freshman John Jenkins won his third SEC Freshman of the Week honor on March 1 after his performances against Georgia and at Arkansas. • J ermaine Beal earned second team All-SEC honors from the AP, while A.J. Ogilvy and Jeffery Taylor earned honorable mention honors.
the Seminole Intercollegiate . • Vanderbilt and Samford shared the team championship on March 9 at the 2010 Samford Invitational. It marks the third straight season that Vanderbilt has won a team championship during the spring. • Vanderbilt opened the spring by placing fourth on Feb. 23 at the 2010 Mobile Bay Intercollegiate.
• Vanderbilt opened the season by start-
ing 6-0 at home while outscoring opponents 38-4. • Junior Alex Zotov started dual play with a 10-0 record for the Commodores.
• Vanderbilt had four players earn All-
SEC accolades from the league’s head coaches. • Earning top honors was junior Jence Rhoads, who was named first team AllSEC. • Senior Merideth Marsh earned second team All-SEC honors for the second year in a row. • Freshman Elan Brown and Tiffany Clarke made the SEC All-Freshman Team.
• Vanderbilt received Academic All-
America recognition from the USTFCCCA after leading the nation with a team GPA of 3.67. It is the second year in a row that Vanderbilt’s men’s team has led the nation in team GPA. • T homas Davis won a $7,500 NCAA post-graduate scholarship for his work in the classroom, in athletics and in the community.
the hiring of defensive ends coach Mike Pelton on March 4. Pelton last coached the defensive line at Iowa State for two years under former Head Coach Gene Chizik. Pelton and current Vanderbilt assistant Rick Logo served as co-defensive coordinators at Troy in 2005. • Former Vanderbilt fullback Clark Lea, Men’s Sports Women’s Sports
20
APRIL 2010
• Sophomore Ally Carey was named ALC
Defensive Player of the Week on March 2 for her play against UMBC. • Seniors Sarah Downing and Alex Mundy were named to the Women’s 2010 Tewaaraton Award Watch List on March 9.
• Vanderbilt Head Coach Ronnie Woodard
announced the signing of six studentathletes to National Letters of Intent on Feb. 25. • Signing with Vanderbilt were Caffrey Brooks (Mission Hills, Kan.), Duggan Hahn (Knoxville, Tenn.), Sarah Hook (Birmingham, Ala.), Alexa Levick (Wyoming, Ohio), Claire Romaine (Wake Forest, N.C.) and Megan Schneir (Solon, Ohio). • Vanderbilt will conclude its eight-game spring schedule with four matches in April.
• Vanderbilt’s 400-yard medley relay team
of Rose Cornelson, Allie Voss, Jess Eccher and Jennifer Molchan set a school record on Feb. 19 with a time of 3:52.71 at the SEC Championships. • Laura Dillon broke her own school record on Feb. 21 in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:18.16 at the SEC Championship.
• On March 14, Vanderbilt won its second
straight Music City Classic. • Vanderbilt won the 2010 ECAC Champi-
onship on March 7 by topping Delaware State.
• For the fourth straight year, Vanderbilt • Head Coach Bobby Johnson announced
Alex’s finish helped the Commodores place fifth as a team. • On March 7, Vanderbilt finished the 18hole Auburn Invitational in fourth place with a team total of 305. Alex led Vanderbilt individuals by placing fifth.
received Academic All-America recognition from the USTFCCCA. The women’s squad compiled a team GPA of 3.36 for the 2009 season.
• The NCAA announced on March 16 that
the Vanderbilt Legends Club will serve as the host for the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships. • Vanderbilt sophomore Marina Alex placed second at the Kinderlou Forest Challenge on March 2 in Valdosta, Ga.
• Jackie Wu was named SEC Player of the
Week on Feb. 24 after going 2-0 in singles and doubles against Princeton and Yale. • After dropping its opening match of SEC play at Ole Miss, Vanderbilt responded by defeating Mississippi State for the 21st consecutive time.
• Vanderbilt closed the indoor season by tal-
lying five points at the SEC Indoor Championships. • Vanderbilt’s distance medley relay team of Rita Jorgensen, Louise Hannallah, Anna Carr and Kristen Findley placed sixth with a time of 11:53.55. • Hannallah placed seventh in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:59.36. • Jorgensen placed ninth in the mile with a time of 4:58.48.
vucommodores.com
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
21
Dee Davis Hopes to Become a Player/Coach
22
APRIL 2010
STEVE GREEN
D
ee Davis graduated from Vanderbilt in 2007, but her commute to work every day makes it seem as though she hasn’t left. Each day she heads up 21st Avenue, but instead of turning onto Vanderbilt’s campus, she turns the other direction and heads into the parking lot at University School of Nashville, which sits just across the street from Vanderbilt’s campus. For the past two years, Davis has served as the head coach of USN’s varsity girls basketball team. This past season, Davis helped USN more than double its victory total from the season before by leading the team to a 15-10 record. A former point guard for the Commodores, Davis finished her career as the school’s all-time assists leader. Beyond her play on the court, Davis was known for her leadership on and off the court. “I’ve always been told that I would be a good coach,” Davis said. “Being a point guard, I always direct everybody to where they need to be, and I’ve always had an itch to work with kids. I didn’t know what level and at what point I wanted to do that. It was something I wanted to test the waters in and ended up really enjoying it.” After completing her second season at the helm of the program, Davis feels at home as a coach. But finding that comfort level did not come as easily as expected. “It’s been a challenge,” Davis said of her transition into coaching. “Coming into it, I knew the game of basketball, and it was easy to teach that aspect. But I really didn’t know what to expect or how to handle a lot of different situations besides just teaching the game. I’ve learned a lot and have enjoyed it.” Just having the opportunity to coach each game is enjoyable for Davis, but no game has as much personal meaning to her as when
she goes up against former teammate and good friend Cherish Stringfield, the head coach at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn. The two have faced each other three times with Dee leading the head-to-head series 2-1. “It is definitely a very competitive game,” said Stringfield, who, like Davis just completed her second season as head coach. “We were teammates and are really good friends, so it is definitely a good rivalry.”
In the past the game has drawn former Vanderbilt teammates and members of the coaching staff who watch as the former teammates go against one another. On top of her coaching duties at USN, Davis teaches physical education, weight training and works in the admissions office. Although she has found a home as a coach, Davis isn’t quite ready to move to the sidelines full-time. Davis last played professionally in 2008 after being drafted in the WNBA in 2007 by the now-defunct Houston Comets. It’s been two years since she last played, but she hopes it won’t be the last time. “I trained all of last year, but didn’t get an opportunity in the WNBA,” Davis said. “One team folded, and they cut roster sizes down across the league. It really limited job opportunities last year. I am praying for something this year.” Training camp for WNBA teams opens on April 25, and Davis hopes to be in a camp vying for a roster spot in the league that runs from May through August. Even though Davis has her sights set on reviving her playing career, she doesn’t plan on leaving the coaching ranks anytime soon. In fact, even if she makes a WNBA roster, Davis plans on remaining at USN as the head coach. It is a unique situation that Davis is grateful the administration at USN is supportive of. “USN is very supportive of what I want to do and is very excited for me to maybe have that opportunity to play at the next level,” Davis said. “Having someone on the faculty here that is playing at the next level is something they would like to have, as well.” If she does make a roster, balancing her time between playing and coaching will be a difficult challenge, but Stringfield believes that if anyone can do both, it is Davis. “All things are possible if someone wants to do something and they work hard enough toward it,” Davis said. “That’s just the type of person that Dee is, and she will cross that line when it comes.” n
What to Watch For April 5 • Opening Day The 2010 Major League Baseball season will begin on Monday, April 5. Former Commodores expected to be in the big leagues this year are Jensen Lewis (CLE), David Price (TB) and Jeremy Sowers (CLE) April 10 • Black & Gold Scrimmage Fans will get an early look at Vanderbilt’s 2010 football team when the Commodores host their annual Black and Gold Scrimmage on April 10 at Vanderbilt Stadium. Admission to the scrimmage is free. VU also hosts South Carolina in baseball at 2 p.m. that afternoon. April 22-24 • NFL Draft Former Commodore defensive back Myron Lewis, offensive tackle Thomas Welch and other NFL hopefuls will be waiting by the phone April 22-24 to hear which team selects them in the 2010 NFL Draft. April 27 • Spring Semester Ends The last day of spring classes at Vanderbilt will be Tuesday, April 27. Final exams will be held April 28 through May 6.
vucommodores.com
The Month Ahead
Men’s Sports Baseball 4/2 4/3 4/4 4/6 4/9 4/10 4/11 4/13 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/20 4/21 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/27 4/30
Golf
4/5-6 4/16-18
Tennis
4/2 4/4 4/9 4/11 4/17 4/22-25
at Florida at Florida at Florida Belmont South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina Middle Tennessee Auburn Auburn Auburn at Lipscomb at Middle Tennessee at Tennessee at Tennessee at Tennessee at Austin Peay Georgia
5:30 p.m. 3 p.m. Noon 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m.
at Reunion Intercollegiate (Jackson, Miss.) at SEC Championship (Sea Island, Ga.)
Florida South Carolina at Arkansas at LSU at Kentucky at SEC Championships
All Day All Day
2 p.m. 1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Noon Noon TBA
Women’s Sports Bowling 4/7-10
Golf
4/2-4 4/16-18
Lacrosse 4/3 4/10 4/14 4/18 4/24
Tennis
4/2 4/4 4/9 4/11 4/17 4/22-25
at NCAA Championship (New Brunswick, N.J.) All Day
at Bryan National Collegiate (Greensboro, N.C.) All Day at SEC Championship (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) All Day
John’s Hopkins Ohio State at Binghamton at Florida at Northwestern
at Florida at South Carolina Arkansas LSU Kentucky at SEC Championship (Athens, Ga.)
1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon Noon 7 p.m.
5 p.m. Noon 2:30 p.m. Noon Noon All Day
Track & Field
4/2-3 4/7-10 4/16-17 4/21-24 4/21-24 4/3 4/10 4/14 4/18 4/24
at Florida Relays (Gainesville, Fl.) at Sea Rays Relays (Knoxville, Tenn.) Vanderbilt Invitational at Penn Relays (Philadelphia, Pa.) at Sooner Invitational (Norman, Okla.) John’s Hopkins Ohio State at Binghamton at Florida at Northwestern
C O M M O D O R E N AT I O N
All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon Noon 7 p.m.
23
24
APRIL 2010