Aug. 28, 2012
In the coming weeks, VUcommodores.com will be unveiling videos that highlight many of Vanderbilt’s gameday traditions. Up next, we look at the singing of the alma mater.
Alma Mater | Anchor | The Admiral
Since arriving on campus, James Franklin has oozed with school spirit. His enthusiasm and passion for the Black and Gold is evident in everything he does with the team and in the community.
An objective of his last year was to instill the pride he feels for Vanderbilt University into his players. One way he has gone about doing this is by putting an emphasis on Vanderbilt’s fight song, “Dynamite,” and alma mater.
To accomplish this, Franklin had the players sing the songs in team meetings during preseason camp the last two years. He has even brought in Dwayne Sagen, director of university bands, to help teach the words.
That practice comes in handy during the regular season.
At the conclusion of every home game, the players retreat to the area of the field closest to the student section, where they lock arms and sing the alma mater with the student body. That tradition will continue Thursday night.
“It’s a great way to end the game, bring everyone together,” senior offensive lineman Josh Jelesky said. “You’ve got our teammates arm-in-arm, you’ve got the students arm-in-arm; it just kind of brings us all together in the end. It’s also a great way to show the support for all our fans and all the students that come out to every game.”
