Nov. 7, 2014
David Williams will be one of seven “Big 5” conference athletic directors speaking at the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum Dec. 10-11 in New York City’s Marriott Marquis. The seven – Mike Alden (Missouri), Julie Hermann (Rutgers), John Currie (Kansas State), Greg Mcgarity (Georgia), Stan Wilcox (Florida State) and Kevin White (Duke) and Williams – will speak to the challenges in a changing NCAA environment with the topic of “Managing Growth and the Challenges that Come with Success.”
Let’s be honest, some folks think Kevin Stallings is a gruff guy. It’s true he’s all business on the coaching sideline but those several hundred who attended the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Luncheon at the Curb Center Wednesday got a great glimpse of the real Kevin Stallings. The event featured the six local major college head men’s basketball coaches and Stallings stole the show with his wit and insight, and then topped it off by becoming an impromptu auctioneer for six prize packages donated by each school, no doubt raising more money for cancer with his personality than even a professional auctioneer could have.
Ever wonder what some of the leadership training Vanderbilt Athletics offers its student-athletes entails? One session on the near horizon comes next Monday evening when all the female student-athletes will have an opportunity to learn from the United States Marines. The Marines are coming in to give an overview on leading the community and leading for life.
Speaking of the military, our promotions staff has an excellent tribute to our military service heroes at Saturday night’s Florida football game. Among the special features, Wounded Warriors will meet the team and coaches before the game and then participate in Star Walk. A Vietnam War veteran from the Vanderbilt campus staff will be spotlighted in the pre-game Anchor Presentation; a football player’s special message to veterans will be shown during the game and at halftime the Spirit of Gold band and the Blair School Choir team will honor our veterans.