Aug. 27, 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 anchor.
Since 2004, the anchor has been a part of Vanderbilt’s football program and is prominently displayed on gameday.
“The anchor stabilizes the ship, and really when I’ve been here we’ve kind of looked to it as a symbol as what really stabilizes us as a team,” senior wide receiver John Cole said.
Each home game, the anchor is carried from the locker room in McGugin Center to Vanderbilt Stadium by two select players during Star Walk. Additionally, the anchor is transported on the road with the team.
“It’s an honor to be able to be allowed to carry the anchor in front of the team and you’ve got 100 guys behind you,” senior linebacker Archibald Barnes said. “You and your teammate are carrying that anchor hand-in-hand and its got the weight, you can feel the weight, and it is a great feeling.”
The anchor has taken on even more significance under Head Coach James Franklin. In 2011, Franklin had a display case built in the locker room where the anchor hangs year-round. Last year, the anchor was also carried onto the field during a special pregame ceremony.
