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“Commodores In the Community” Program Announced
6/1/2004
“Commodores In the Community” Program Announced
Fans To Meet Coaches, Players at Local Events
Vanderbilt fans will have five opportunities this month to meet Football Coach Bobby Johnson and several of the team’s preseason All-SEC candidates while having a chance to win signed jerseys and other memorabilia as part of Commodores in the Community, an awareness program announced by the department today.
The program includes a “Kid Commodore” contest, appearances by Commodore coaches and players at area malls and the Country Music Association FanFest, and an evening with the Nashville Sounds. The effort starts Thursday, June 10 at The Mall at Green Hills and concludes Friday, June 18th at Nashville’s Greer Stadium.
The Commodores’ new flagship radio station, Nashville’s WGFX “The Zone” 104.5 FM, will support Commodores in the Community with both a combination of remotes and in-depth interviews, station officials announced.
The Commodores in the Community schedule includes:
? “Searching for Kid Commodore” – Thursday, June 10, The Mall at Green Hills, 5-7 p.m.
? “Commodores at the FanFest” – Friday, June 11, Coliseum, 4-6 pm
? “Up Close with the Commodores – Hendersonville/Madison” – Monday, June 14, Chick-fil-A of Rivergate, 5-7 p.m.
? “Commodores in West Nashville” – Wednesday, June 16, 5-6 p.m. Featuring Assistant Head Coach Robbie Caldwell and players
? “Reception with Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff” – Thursday, June 17, 4-6 p.m.
? “Commodore Sounds’ Night” – Friday, June 18, Greer Stadium, 7 p.m.
Each event will include autographs, free posters and drawings for signed memorabilia and individual game tickets. Schedule updates, including a likely appearance in Williamson County, will be available at www.CommodoreGameday.com. Summer activities for fans of Commodore athletics start Tuesday, June 8 with “Behind the Dores,” a behind-the-scenes look at Vanderbilt football hosted by the National Commodore Club.
Commodores in the Community is intended to strengthen fan interest and build awareness of season ticket plans and is Vanderbilt’s first outreach effort in the Nashville metro area in nearly a decade, according to interim Director of Marketing Eric Nichols.
“We’re looking forward to creating excitement as the season approaches. We’re at our best promoting Vanderbilt football when we get Coach Johnson and our student-athletes in front of the public. We hope to please current fans and hopefully create more Commodore followers,” Nichols said.
Johnson, entering his third year as the Commodore head coach, endorsed the effort. “You can put me down as an avid supporter of this program. It’s a great way to spread the word about our university, our team and our student-athletes. I hope it sparks a lot of interest in the coming season,” Johnson said.
A brief discussion of each activity follows:
“Searching for Kid Commodore Contest”
Thursday, June 10, The Mall at Green Hills, 5-7 p.m.
Kids ages 5-10 are urged to audition for Kid Commodore. The winner will appear in the team’s advertising campaign. Each entrant must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration is free for the contest. Coach Johnson and up to three players will sign posters. The Vanderbilt Prize Wheel, offering various Commodore items, will be featured. Schedule cards will be distributed and special drawings for signed memorabilia will be held. Commodore fans also can purchase season tickets starting as low as $99 each.
“Commodores at the Country Music Association Music Festival (Fan Fair)”
Friday, June 11, Coliseum, downtown Nashville, Time-TBA
Coach Johnson will join an array of stars from different sports at the Sports Zone, a first-time attraction of the popular Country Music Association Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair. The diverse Sports Zone is free of charge and located outside the south gate of the Coliseum near the foot of Shelby Street Bridge. The CMA Music Festival is expected to draw thousands of country music fans to Nashville for nearly a week of mingling with stars, live concerts and other activities.
“Up Close with the Commodores – Hendersonville/Madison”
Monday, June 14, Chick-fil-A, Rivergate, 5-7 p.m.
This event is held in conjunction with Chick-fil-A’s regular Family Night activities. Bobby Johnson, players and assistant coaches will be on hand at the eatery to sign posters. This free family activity includes artists and a football toss for kids. The Vanderbilt Prize Wheel, offering various Commodore items,will be featured. Schedule cards will be distributed and special drawings for signed memorabilia will be held. Fans also can purchase season tickets starting as low as $99 per person.
“Reception with Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff”
Thursday, June 17, 4-6 p.m.
Coach Johnson and his staff will host a cookout on campus exclusively for Vanderbilt faculty and staff to promote the Commodore Athletic Pass – an All-Sports Season Ticket offered for the first time in university history. Free hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments will be available. The Commodore Athletic Pass features a ticket ($20.00 per month) to all Vanderbilt varsity sporting events on campus, including football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball games. Posters and signed memorabilia also will be available.
“Commodore Sounds’ Night”
Friday, June 18, Greer Stadium, 7 p.m.
Coach Johnson will be on hand to meet and greet those taking in a Nashville Sounds baseball game. A post-game fireworks show is scheduled and Vanderbilt football student-athletes will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.
The Commodores open their 2004 season against South Carolina on Saturday, September 4. The game will be held on campus at Vanderbilt Stadium. Season tickets for Vanderbilt’s six-game home schedule are the least expensive in the SEC, starting at $99 per person. The Commodores host South Carolina, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Eastern Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee on campus this year.
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