NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Speaking with some former teammates earlier this summer, it dawned on Christina Foggie that there may be a bit of a disconnect between those who once took the floor at Memorial Gymnasium and the current coaching staff.
So Foggie, the program’s chief of staff and a former All-American, went to second-year head coach Shea Ralph and suggested an annual event for the program’s former players to meet with Ralph’s staff.
“It was great. I got to see a couple familiar faces as far as people I played with and some mentors that I had when I was a player,” Foggie said of the event. “Then to have (Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director) Candice (Lee) to come and represent, that was amazing. The whole coaching staff and support staff was there, too. We had a lot of fun.”
Held at the Sky Deck at Assembly Food Hall on Aug. 6, Foggie and Vanderbilt women’s basketball welcomed alums, donors and friends of the program for a fun-filled evening designed to bridge the gap between the Commodores and the community. Foggie hopes to make the event an annual affair.
Vanderbilt assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ashley Earley, also a former All-American, took pride in seeing the launch of Foggie’s initiative.
“(Ralph) understands the value of having a really strong alumni base and what that family can do for your current players and just having that support and knowing and learning what past players are they doing now,” Earley said. “Just being there really felt like we’re renewing that sense of family and belonging that’s been there the entire time, it just needs to be renewed.”
“When you start doing events like this and welcoming alums, now they’re going to come back to games. Now they’re more willing to likely be mentors to our current team. That’s the type of relationship that we want.”
For more information on how to get involved with the Vanderbilt women’s basketball program, contact Foggie at christina.l.foggie@vanderbilt.edu.
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt Athletics for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
