Sept. 20, 2012
Quick Slant is an array of brief insights and occasionally opinionated overviews of collegiate athletics in general and the Vanderbilt Commodores in particular.
The extreme makeover on the Hawkins Field turf is 90 percent completed and early feedback is thumbs up. In case you missed it, the pampered natural grass was removed in late summer and has been totally replaced (including the infield dirt) by a cutting-edge artificial sports turf. A few of the guys took some infield and reported that it plays like natural grass, contrary to some other fields where the fake stuff dramatically alters the speed of the game.
Auburn and Florida football tickets are flying out the door. The Auburn game (Oct. 20) is nearing sellout status and while there are a few more Florida tickets available (Oct. 13), the Gator’s big win last weekend quickened the sales pace.
Hunter Hillenmeyer is our SEC Football Living Legend for 2012 and will represent Vanderbilt at the league’s championship game in Atlanta. Hunter was a linebacker from 1999-2002 and as a senior was one of six Division I-A National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athletes. He was a first-team All-SEC pick, a first-team Academic All-American and his 14 tackles a game led the nation. He played for the Chicago Bears from `03-`11.
How interested is the department in Brandt Snedeker’s opportunity at the PGA’s FedEx Cup playoffs this weekend? En route to the Georgia football game, announcer Joe Fisher and Commodore Nation editor Chris Weinman will stop at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club Friday to follow the former All-American Commodore golfer, and others would join the gallery be it not for hosting the annual Mason Rudolph Championship at Vanderbilt Legends Club. The well-conceived FedEx system has whittled the competitors down to just 30. Look for some special coverage on this website this weekend.
Fred Russell fans, there is another book hitting the market! On the heels of Andrew Derr’s terrific biography, “The Life and Good Times of Fred Russell”, comes one by grandson Jim Harwell called “Confessions of a Practical Joker.” We’ve seen an early copy and it’s funny with many vintage photographs. There will be a reception to help launch this fun book Oct. 18 from 5-8 p.m. at the University Club.