Dec. 29, 2011
Commodore Bowl Central | Wednesday’s Blog | Tuesday’s Blog | Monday’s Blog
When you are on the road for an extended period of time, days begin to run together and one day feels just like the previous one did. That is how Thursday (it is Thursday, right?) morning felt. The team bounced from meeting to meeting in the morning and the team again practiced at Memphis University School, but as the day progressed something in the air began to change.
Sure, the temperature reached its highest point since the team’s arrival, as it flirted with the mid 60s, but something else happened. The Peabody Hotel began to bustle, lines at establishments up and down Beale Street stretched out the door and more Vanderbilt t-shirts, hats and jackets could be seen throughout downtown.
Commodore Nation had begun its descent on Memphis, and it was very noticeable.
Finally, Thursday began to feel like Thursday, and gameday felt like it was just around the corner.
The black and gold parade on I-40 between Nashville and Memphis that occurred today will only get even larger on Friday.
Franklin’s are Honorary Duck Masters
The historic Peabody Hotel has served as excellent hosts this week for the Commodores. The Peabody has a national reputation as being one of the country’s finest hotels, and beyond its outstanding service and hospitality, the hotel is simply known nationally as “the hotel with the ducks.”
Each day at 11 a.m. CT, the Peabody Ducks travel down the elevator from the top of the hotel and march into the fountain located in the hotel lobby. At 5 p.m., the ducks leave the fountain and head back up the elevator to their home on the roof of the hotel. The 70-year tradition is known as the Peabody Duck March.
On Thursday, Head Coach James Franklin and his daughters, Addison and Shola, were Honorary Duck Masters and helped lead the ducks into the fountain.
Be sure to watch the video that was packaged together by Emily Pearce and Pat Slattery from Vanderbilt News Service today. Also, check out 
Steve Green’s photos from the event.
Offensive Press Conference
A day after Bob Shoop, the Commodores’ defensive coordinator spoke to the media at the team’s defensive press conference, it was offensive coordinator John Donovan’s turn at the podium. Donovan answered questions about the team’s offensive preparation for the Cincinnati game.
Players & Coaches Luncheon
Vanderbilt’s and Cincinnati’s teams gathered for the Liberty Bowl Players & Coaches Luncheon Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Memphis Hotel.
During the luncheon, both head coaches spoke. Also speaking for Vanderbilt was linebacker Chris Marve, a Memphis native. Marve spoke about the opportunity to play in his hometown and his love for the university and his teammates, which he referred to as his “brothers.” As the oldest of eight siblings, Marve added, “that (brothers) is not a word I use lightly at all.” Watch the video of Marve talking about his love for his teammates and Vanderbilt University.
Final Practice of the Season
Vanderbilt held its first practice of the 2011 season on Aug. 5 and today, Dec. 29, Vanderbilt left the practice field for a final time this season. On Friday, Vanderbilt will have a final walk-thru before Saturday’s game.
At the conclusion of practice, Vanderbilt players honored the team’s nine seniors by providing them with a memorable experience they won’t forget. Each of the nine players were carried off the practice field on the shoulders of their teammates. It was the final time the players will leave the practice field as members of the Commodores.
Watch the video of the players being carried off the field.
B.B. King’s Vanderbilt Party
Vanderbilt held its first official fan event on Thursday evening at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. To kickoff the party, Vanderbilt hosted its final call-in show from the restaurant that had a standing room only crowd in attendance. Joe Fisher, the Voice of the Commodores, hosted the one-hour show with Coach Franklin that began at 6 p.m.
Following the show, Vanderbilt fans stuck around to watch the Commodores defeat Marquette, 74-57, in men’s basketball.
The party cost just $10 and included appetizers, beverages and live entertainment.
Joe Howell’s Photos
Football Staff Dinner
After the team concluded its final practice in preparation for Saturday’s game, the entire football staff and and members of Vanderbilt’s athletic administration gathered with their significant others for a dinner at Chez Phillipe Restaurant in the Peabody Hotel.
Franklin noted that he would like the dinner to become an annual Vanderbilt tradition.
