Sept. 22, 2011
 |
Joe Fisher’s Mailbag Submit Your Question Wondering about a player, a game or another topic involving the Commodores? The Voice of the Commodores Joe Fisher will answer a variety of questions from fans during the season on VUcommodores.com. |
How is Warren Norman doing? Can we expect to see him back in the game soon?
— Ken Swinney, Winfield, Ala.
Obviously, this has become one of the most popular questions each week. My answer remains the same. While he’s still not 100%, Warren is certainly closer and ready to play. I think his availability for South Carolina is the same as it has been for the past couple of weeks; he’s ready if called upon.
As a Vanderbilt graduate and fan, I was wondering if the Tennessean sports writer, David Climer, knows that Vanderbillt won its 3rd football game this season and is undefeated. He sure didn’t mention anything about it in the Monday, September 19th, edition of the paper. Is he blind, deaf, or what?
— Allen Parks, Gallatin, Tenn.
Actually, I think David does a fine job. As I recall, he covered the Vols/Gators game on Saturday, and most likely the Titans on Sunday. I can tell you he was in attendance at Coach Franklin’s weekly press conference on Monday, and wrote a fine article that appeared in the Wednesday morning edition of the Tennessean.
There are three facilities I would like to see at Vanderbilt: 1] Indoor all-sports facility at existing track/field complex 2] Hall of Fame building at the corner of Jess Neely and Blakemore 3] University all-purpose building in the north endzone of Vanderbilt Stadium. What is the status of these facilities?
— Christopher, Birmingham, Ala.
Certainly, all three of these have been discussed at some point. Some are further along in discussions than others. The indoor facility always gets a lot of attention, and I know Coach Franklin would very much like to have one. A study was done some time back, and at that time it was not considered a high priority because of the lack of available space along with from what I understand the assertion that the weather wouldn’t drive the team inside on a regular basis enough to help justify it. Your use of the term “all-sports facility” I think is appropriate, as I feel for something like that to be built it has to be able to serve multiple teams and multiple purposes and not just be limited to football. It is my understanding the Hall of Fame permanent home is part of the long term continued expansion of football though I don’t know for sure whether it will be a stand alone building or be incorporated into renovations and expansion of McGugin Center. The endzone building is discussed periodically, but there are currently no concrete plans I know of for construction.
Do you keep in touch with people like Charlie Mac, John Ward, Larry Munson, etc.? Also, we really lost a great Nashville sports figure when Hope Hines retired, didn’t we? Keep up the good work Joe.
— Jack, Vandyland
Jack, I do get to stay in touch quite a bit. I see Charlie Mac on pretty much every trip down to Athens (he now works at the University of Georgia). John Ward has always been a class act whom I greatly respect. He rarely misses at least coming by to shake hands and say hello when we are in Knoxville. Unfortunately I have not talked with the legendary Larry Munson in quite some time. He is a gem indeed. Hope Hines was a long time competitor of mine back when I was in TV here, but he’s always been a good friend and was always professional and helpful to me.