“Commodores in the Community” Schedule

“Commodores in the Community” Schedule

7/13/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the third consecutive year, Vanderbilt fans will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to meet Commodore Football Head Coach Bobby Johnson and the team’s top players as part of Commodores in the Community III, an awareness program announced by athletics officials today.

Among the events scheduled are a community service effort in Nashville, an evening of free bowling with the Commodores, appearances by key Commodore coaches and players at a north Nashville restaurant and Nashville Sounds game, and a cookout for Vanderbilt faculty and staff. The events start Friday, July 21, and continue to August 13 with the team’s annual Dore Jam fan day activity.

The Commodores in the Community III schedule includes:

? “Up Close with the Commodores – Hendersonville/Madison/Gallatin” – Friday, July 21, Chick-fil-A, Rivergate, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

? “Commodore Community Service” — Saturday, July 22, Andrew Jackson Boys and Girls Club, Nashville, project starts at 8:00 a.m., lasts until completion. To participate, register here! Also- get your directions to the event by clicking here!

? “Commodore Cookout for Faculty & Staff” — Thursday, July 27, Vanderbilt Student Life Center, 11:30-1:00 p.m.

? “Commodore Sounds’ Night” — Friday, July 28, Greer Stadium, Nashville, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

? “Bowling With the Commodores” — Saturday, July 29, Franklin Lanes, Franklin, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

? “Dore Jam V” — Sunday, August 13, Rich Practice Complex on campus, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Each event will include autographs, free posters and drawings for signed memorabilia and individual game tickets. Click here for schedule updates.

Commodores in the Community III is intended to strengthen fan interest and build awareness of season ticket plans, according to Director of Marketing Eric Nichols.

“We’re looking forward to building on the excitement when we created the last two summers with this community outreach program. We’re at our best promoting Vanderbilt athletics when we create opportunities for fans to meet and get to know our coaches and student-athletes,” Nichols said.

Johnson, entering his fifth year as the Vanderbilt head coach, is looking forward to the community effort. “Doing these events has been a lot of fun the last two years, both for our coaches and players. When we can get our players out in the community, it’s one of the best ways we can create new fans while exciting long-time Commodore followers. I’m also pleased about the addition of a community service project to the community schedule. I hope to see lots of Commodore fans at the various events,” Johnson said.

A brief discussion of each activity follows:

? “Up Close with the Commodores – Hendersonville/Madison/Gallatin” –
Friday, July 21, Chick-fil-A, Rivergate, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
A well-attended activity on the Commodore Caravan last summer, this event features an array of kids attractions at the Chick-fil-A restaurant located between Rivergate Mall and nearby Gallatin Road. Get autographs from Coach Johnson and several top Commodore players. Posters and schedule cards will be provided.

? “Commodore Community Service” –
Saturday, July 22, Andrew Jackson Boys and Girls Club, Nashville, project starts at 8:00 a.m., continuing until completion.
All Vanderbilt fans are invited to join Commodore coaches and players in this community outreach effort, the first organized by the program in several years. The project calls for fans, coaches and players to repaint the Andrew Jackson Boys and Girls Club located at 916 16th Avenue North. in Nashville. To participate, register here! Also- get your directions to the event by clicking here!

? “Commodore Cookout for Faculty & Staff” –
Thursday, July 27, Vanderbilt Student Life Center, 11:30-1:00 p.m.
For the third year, Coach Johnson and his staff will host a free cookout for Vanderbilt faculty and staff at the new Vanderbilt Student Life Center. The head coach and staff will promote the Faculty-Staff Season Ticket Plan – an all-sports ticket offered for the third straight year to university employees. The plan includes a discounted ticket ($20 per month) to all Vanderbilt varsity sporting events on campus, including football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball games. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be available. Posters and signed memorabilia also will be available.

? “Commodore Sounds’ Night” –
Friday, July 28, Greer Stadium, Nashville, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Coach Johnson and several members of the Commodore football student-athletes will be on hand to meet and greet fans attending the Nashville Sounds baseball game. The outing also features a post-game fireworks show staged by the Sounds. The purchase of an admission ticket is required for this event.

? “Bowling With the Commodores” –
Saturday, July 29, Franklin Lanes, Franklin, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
This first-time event gives Vanderbilt followers a chance to test their bowling skills against Coach Johnson, selected Commodore football players and student-athletes from other Vanderbilt varsity sports. The location is Franklin Lanes, located off Royal Oaks at 1200 Lakeview Drive in Franklin. This activity includes free bowling from 6:30 – 8 PM and every lane will have a different personality to play along with you and sign autographs.

? “Dore Jam V” –
Sunday, August 13, Rich Practice Complex on campus, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
This popular, family-oriented activity gives Commodore fans an opportunity to meet every member of the 2006 Vanderbilt football squad. Posters and autographs are included in this event. In addition to the Commodore football team, several coaches and athletes from other Vanderbilt varsity sports participate in this event, which includes an array of games and activities for kids.

The Commodores open their 2006 season on the road against powerful Big Ten member Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 2, followed by a SEC road game Sept. 9 at Alabama. The team’s home opener, scheduled Sept. 16, is against SEC West Division foe Arkansas.

Season tickets for Vanderbilt’s six home games are the least expensive in the SEC, starting at $80 per person. Besides Arkansas, the Commodores host Tennessee State on Sept. 23, Temple on Sept. 30, South Carolina on Oct. 21, Florida on Nov. 4 and Tennessee on Nov. 18. To purchase season tickets, click here!