Mark H. Carter, BE’98, Endows Men’s Basketball Coaching Position

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt today announced a gift from Mark H. Carter, BE’98, and his family to endow the men’s basketball head coaching position. The generous gift allows Mark Byington to lead the Commodores as the first Mark H. Carter and Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach.

“We are grateful to Mark Carter and his family for an incredible gift that will outlive us all, serving Vanderbilt Athletics and student-athletes for generations to come,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “At its core, Vanderbilt is about people who cherish this place, the community found here and the life-changing opportunities this university affords. From earning academic honors to cheering on Memorial Magic, Mark’s Vanderbilt experience helped launch him to success in business, community service and family. It is humbling to see him give back so that the best and brightest will realize their potential at Vanderbilt.”

The gift also fuels the momentum of Dare to Grow, Vanderbilt’s historic fundraising campaign that continues to advance our most ambitious vision: to be the great university of the 21st century. Through the Vandy United initiative, the campaign has revolutionized Vanderbilt Athletics with transformational support for major facilities and operational enhancements, as well as amplifying support for scholarships and programs for student-athletes.

Carter graduated from Vanderbilt with magna cum laude honors in mechanical engineering. He subsequently earned his MBA from Columbia and gained experience in the private equity and investment banking industries at Parthenon Capital and Lehman Brothers. He is now a managing director and serves on the Management Committee at TA Associates, a leading global private equity firm, and serves as co-head of the firm’s North America Healthcare Group.

He is also a member of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering’s Council of Advisors, joining distinguished alumni and the school’s friends in advising the dean and senior staff.

“Sports offers the university a level of exposure that has a multiplying effect,” Carter said. “A dollar donated is multiplied tenfold when the Commodores achieve acclaim. For me, it isn’t just about basketball, although I do have a love for it and this team. It is maximizing our presence as a university on the national media stage—it is an exponential return. Athletic success brings together alumni in a way few other things can, and for potential students, it creates excitement.  People want to be part of a winning culture, and we have every opportunity to do this right now at Vanderbilt.”

Byington is in his first season as Vanderbilt men’s basketball head coach. Regarded as one of college basketball’s rising stars and an innovative thinker, he assumed his duties with the Commodores after successful head coaching stints at James Madison and Georgia Southern. At Vanderbilt, Byington’s Commodores have already demonstrated a commitment to energy, toughness and fun, fast-paced basketball.

After victories against Tennessee and Kentucky, the first time in nearly two decades that Vanderbilt defeated multiple top 10 opponents, Byington’s Commodores entered the AP Top 25. It’s the first time Vanderbilt has been ranked since 2015.

“I’m tremendously thankful to Mark for this generous gift and his unfailing support for Vanderbilt men’s basketball since I arrived,” Byington said. “The Vanderbilt community and people like Mark are a big reason why I felt such an immediate connection with this university. Our alumni and supporters believe we can set the same standard on the court that Vanderbilt sets in everything that it does.  Mark is a great representative of the pride and commitment taking place at Vanderbilt University.”

The goal of an endowed coach or staff position is to ensure success continues for Vanderbilt student-athletes—past, present and future. These funds exist to meet the ongoing needs of Vanderbilt Athletics, while providing a lasting legacy.

As evidenced by this landmark gift, the Dare to Grow campaign continues to make a lasting and tangible impact on Vanderbilt’s people, athletics, discoveries and global community.

About Vandy United
A key initiative in the university’s Dare to Grow campaign, Vandy United has raised more than $350 million. The university is working on major facilities and operational enhancements, including the Frist Athletics Village and ambitious renovations for Hawkins Field and the Lummis Family Tennis Center. Through the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and other efforts, the campaign has funded scholarships and support programs to ensure that Vanderbilt student-athletes are poised for success in every way.

About the Dare to Grow Campaign
Dare to Grow is Vanderbilt’s ongoing historic fundraising campaign. After surpassing its initial $3.2 billion goal 20 months ahead of schedule, it continues to fuel our most ambitious vision: to be the great university of the 21st century. Learn more at vu.edu/daretogrow.