March 1, 2016
Though she doesn’t hear the twang in her voice, Vanderbiltsophomore Rachel Bell beams proudly when talking abouther “country girl” upbringing. She grew up an hour westof Nashville in the small town of Cumberland Furnace, Tenn., inDickson County. Now draining 3-pointers for the Commodores,Bell’s family had 125 acres with chickens and pigs and she spent herchildhood riding horses and dirt bikes.
What was it like living in Cumberland Furnace?
It is a small town. We have a community center but it is a super smallbuilding. Across from the little community center is a dump with a quotebaseball field. But it is a field connected to the dump. There is a littleplayground behind the community center and really that is as big asit gets. It is one little area. It is really fun, though. There is not a lot ofaround. It is mainly woods. People don’t see other’s houses becauseit is so wooded. It is really nice and peaceful. I really enjoy it.
Your family owned horses?
Yes. I got my first horse, a pony, when I was five. I’m acountry girl. We always went on horse trips in Illinois. Thatis where my (dad’s side of the) family is. It was really fun. Imiss it. We had horses, chickens and hogs. We don’t haveanything now but dogs. We kind of got rid of everythingwhen we all got busy.
That had to be a lot of fun growing upwith that much land and all those animals.
It was awesome. We also had dirt bikes. That is something I love. I started riding my first dirt bike when I was fiveyears old. We’re a dirt bike andmotorcycle family, too. We takemotorcycle trips. I have my ownbike. That is one thing I’m really interested inand that I love.
Where does your family go on yourmotorcycle trips?
We go to the Gatlinburg area and rent out cabinsand we ride around those curvy roads up there.We talked about this year but we might moveit back until I graduate, going to the GrandCanyon. That will be quite a haul. We definitelyhave to get ready for that. I may get a new bikebecause it is obviously going to be a lot of ridingand I may need a bigger bike and more comfortablebike. We would make it a week trip. I’venever been so it would be amazing.
Did you play other sports besides basketball growing up?
I was nine and the first sport I ever played was soccer. I loved soccer butone day my mom came into my room and was like, `Hey, I saw this juniorpro basketball league in the newspaper. I think you should try it out.’ I waslike, `Mom, you’re crazy. No. Soccer is my sport.’ Ten minutes later, I wentout there and said, `Yeah, I think I want to try this.’ At that point I was (10years old and) in soccer and basketball so when soccer season ended Ihad to pick a sport. My sister was in stuff, too, so we couldn’t do it all. So Iended up picking basketball and I think I made the right choice.
Was Vanderbilt always the school you wanted to go to?
Growing up, I didn’t think how far basketball would go. I was just a little kid playing. But my first college that I wanted togo to was actually Tennessee. But that wasn’t like a dream. I looked up to (former UT star and current WNBA standout)Candace Parker because I was No. 3 and she was No. 3. I broke out of that in middle school and high schoolbecause that is when I started to get mail from colleges. That is when it became serious and I actuallyweighed my options and thought what would be best. Vanderbilt just so happenedto be an hour down the road. Great education and it is the SEC, which I would sayis the best women’s basketball conference. It was just the perfect, one big package right down the road.
So you just felt at home coming to Vanderbilt?
Yes, and I’m really close with my family as well. I didn’t know how it would be if Iwent further. My parents really enjoy going to every one of my (home) games. I enjoy on my off days going home. Even if itis just a day, it is really nice. Definitely how close it was, the education and the SEC and I really enjoyed the coaches and playerswhen I went on my visit, too.
How much fun has it been to be on this team?
I enjoy it. We all get along. We’re one big family. We bust it out at practiceand make each other better. When it all comes down to it, we go back into thelocker room and we’re a family again.
