“Dynamite, Dynamite, when Vandy starts to fight…”
This season, Vanderbilt fought with power, poise, and purpose — finishing the Football season 10-3 and rewriting what’s possible for our program. Now we must match that energy off the field. The Competitive Excellence Fund fuels NIL support, recruiting, retention, and leadership infrastructure — the tools every championship-level program needs in today’s SEC.
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The landscape of college athletics is undergoing historic change, Vanderbilt Athletics is leading from the front.
The NIL era has allowed for our student-athletes and 17 sports programs thrive so far in the 25-26 academic year. First in a life time moments have unfolded before Commodore Nations eyes.
Football Success
- First ever Heisman Finalist in University History
- Eli Stowers has been named the winner of the John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in the nation
- First ever 10 win regular season
- Vanderbilt Football Undefeated at home (7-0)
- Back-to-Back Bowl appearances
- Back-to-Back SEC Coach of the Year Honors
- Highest Football ranking in University History
Basketball Success
- Longest running men’s and women’s basketball undefeated streak in the country in the 25-26 season
- Vanderbilt men’s basketball tied the program record for best start to a season after reaching 16-0 mark
- All-American Mikayla Blakes has been named the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Female Athlete of the Year
- Mikayla Blakes has been named the SEC Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 6 after beating #5 LSU
- Mikayla Blakes named Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
- Mikayla Blakes selected to John R. Wooden Award Midseason watch list
- Mikayla Blakes named to the NCAA’s Starting 5
- Mikayla Blakes sets the record for the player to reach 1,000 points the fastest in school history
- Women’s Basketball is the 2025 Paradise Jam Island Division Champions
- Tyler Tanner is the only SEC player with 19+ points, 14+ assists in a conference game since at least 1996
- Duke Miles earned a spot on the Lute Olson Award early season watch list
- Men’s Basketball is the Battle 4 Atlantis 2025 tournament Champions
- Both programs earned national rankings and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2025
THE MISSION IS WINNING and it does not happen without your support!
FAQ
What is the Competitive Excellence Fund?
The Competitive Excellence Fund fuels NIL support, recruiting, retention, and leadership infrastructure — the tools every championship-level program needs in today’s SEC. This fund was created in response to the The House vs. NCAA settlement, approved in June 2025.
Vanderbilt is committed to supporting student-athletes directly via revenue sharing. The House vs. NCAA settlement also allows Vanderbilt to increase our support of student-athlete scholarships by increasing roster limits. The Competitive Excellence Fund gives the university philanthropic resources to support our student-athletes through revenue sharing and scholarship support.
Student-athletes can also enter into third-party NIL agreements, creating more pathways for athletes to market themselves, elevate their brand and secure support.
Is the Competitive Excellence Fund tax-dedutible?
Yes the competitive excellence fund is fully tax deductible!
Do I get priority points for donations made to Competitive Excellence Fund
Yes the Competitive Excellence Fund is a top priority for Vanderbilt Athletics. Donations receive 3 times the points (3 points per $100).
Priority points are used to determine NCC donor ranking. Improving your ranking effects postseason ticket requests and allocations, season ticket upgrades.
Do donations to Competitive Excellence Fund help me get Premium Seating?
Yes donations made to the Competitive Excellence fund will increase your priority and the chance to upgrade into premium seating. FirstBank Stadium premium seating is in high demand for the 2026 season and seating is limited. Donating to the Competitive Excellence Fund at the McGugin Society level is the fastest way to increase your NCC member ranking to gain access to premium seating.
Thank you
for your support of the Competitive Excellence Fund!