NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mark Carter, Vanderbilt senior associate athletics director and executive director of the National Commodore Club, was honored Thursday with the announcement of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors 2022 awards. A member of the Commodore staff since 2010, Carter was named the NAADD University Fundraiser of the Year.
In 2021, Carter played a pivotal role in the launch of Vandy United, a $300 million investment in student-athletes and the athletics program that is the largest undertaking of its kind in Vanderbilt history. Vanderbilt Athletics achieved record-breaking fundraising in 2021, reflecting Carter’s successful efforts and several programs he implemented, including a new major gift program known as the McGugin Society.
Carter also helped introduce new priority seating and parking models in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball, which has have led to record annual giving totals. Another factor that helped drive fundraising success—and a newly energized sense of community—was the launch of the Black and Gold Club, Vanderbilt’s first-ever varsity letter winners club. This club has led to levels of engagement never seen before from the university’s 6,000+ living student-athlete alumni.
Carter has led capital campaigns for numerous athletics projects at Vanderbilt, including the building of a multi-purpose facility and expansion of the David Williams II Recreation Center, baseball operations center and renovated clubhouse, golf team house and Conner Family Training Center at the Vanderbilt Legends Club, renovated football and basketball locker rooms, and multiple renovations and additions to the McGugin Center.
Before coming to Vanderbilt, Carter served in athletic development roles at Duke (2002–03 and 2004–10), Tennessee (2003–04) and Memphis (2000–02).
