July 29, 2011
 |
by Brandon Barca (Archive) Twitter updates @brandonbarca |
ESPN.com’s Chris Low is ranking the SEC’s best 25 players and lists Commodore cornerback Casey Hayward at No. 23. Low warns that “by the time the 2011 season is complete, he’ll be a name familiar to just about everybody in college football.”
Quarterback Larry Smith will have a clean slate going into his final season at Vanderbilt. ESPN.com’s Edward Aschoff notes that Smith has been working on his technique (especially footwork) and reading defenses during the offseason.
Guard John Jenkins is looking to land a spot on the 2011 USA World University Games Team. “I think any time you have USA across your chest it is a huge deal and a great honor. So I am just happy I have a chance to represent my country,” he told The City Paper. Jenkins also said Vanderbilt needs to learn how to finish games in order to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament next year.
MSNBC talk show Morning Joe, which is co-hosted by Vanderbilt alum Willie Geist, had ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews on set to discuss story lines for the upcoming football season. The Commodores came up during their conversation (10:40 mark) and Herbstreit predicted the ‘Dores might make a bowl game. Andrews then called new coach James Franklin a “good guy.”
Part 4 of VUcommodores’ Changing the Culture series details the enhancements you can expect during your football pregame and in-game experience. Three new videos are linked in the story: Coach Franklin on the meaning of gameday, a ‪time lapse of the sod installation at Vanderbilt Stadium‬, and a sample of the new jumbotron graphics. Also, if you missed Part 3, several improvements are being made to Vandyville including the team walking through the popular tailgating area approximately two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
Jeff Lockridge of The Tennessean reports on football season ticket sales and mentions some of the changes taking place on gameday.
The Division I Baseball Committee wants the College World Series to experiment with instant replay next season. The rule must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. Reviews would be limited to plays that involve home runs. Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt breaks down the possible use of instant replay as well as another proposal to tweak the RPI formula.
Vanderbilt has 93 student-athletes on the 2011 Spring SEC Honor Roll.
Additional Commodore News
Football: Franklin and staff meet fans at Ruth’s Chris (VUcommodores.com)
Football: Franklin to speak at Columbia’s Kiwanis Club Friday (The Daily Herald)
Football: Single game tickets available to NCC members (VUcommodores.com)
Football: Photos of Franklin’s trip to ESPN (VUcommodores.com)
Baseball: Vanderbilt summer league update (VUcommodores.com)
Women’s Golf: Rising freshman wins Tennessee Open (VUcommodores.com)
Vote to Name the Stadium Horn
We received 84 suggestions to name the Commodores’ naval horn and narrowed the list down to three: The Admiral, The WestEnder, and Old Natchez. Vote for your favorite name online or at Dore Jam August 7.
Reminder of the Day
Friday is the final day for the Commodore Summer Countdown Contest. Purchase season tickets to be entered into a drawing for an ultimate fan experience. Find out more
Photo of the Day
Coach Franklin and his entire football staff mingled with Commodore fans for two hours at Ruth’s Chris Steak House Wednesday night in Nashville. More photos
Videos of the Day
Coach Franklin offers his thoughts on what gameday means to him.
Also, if you see Mr. C, don’t leave him hangin’! The footage below was filmed during our “Find Mr. C” contest, which originated on Facebook and Twitter. For locating the Commodore mascot during lunch Thursday and telling him “Commodores Connect,” Kris Hahn won a mini-helmet signed by Coach Franklin.
Song of the Day
‪Talking Heads – “Once in a lifetime”‬
