Candice Lee named McLendon Scholarship recipient

June 28, 2017

By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Candice Storey Lee wasted no time when deciding where to play college basketball. A prep standout from Madison, Ala. in the mid-90s, Lee traveled 115 miles north on I-65 to a summer basketball camp at Vanderbilt, which was hosted by then-head coach Jim Foster and his staff.

Following the camp, Foster offered Lee a scholarship to play for the Commodores. The wide-eyed high schooler didn’t hesitate when committing on the spot.

“It was literally a no-brainer for me,” Lee said. “I said yes before even taking an official visit. It didn’t even require going home first. It was the best decision I ever made in my life, besides marrying my husband.”

Twenty years later, Lee has yet to leave Vanderbilt. She played an injury-extended six seasons for Foster as a team captain and went on to earn three degrees from Vanderbilt, including a Ph.D. in higher education administration in 2012. She has spent her entire professional life on West End and currently holds the post of Associate Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Deputy Athletics Director, as well as Senior Woman Administrator.

Last week, Lee earned national recognition for her career as one of 10 recipients of the minority scholarship award from the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation for the 2017 LEAD1 Association Institute. Honorees are nominated by athletics directors at their respective institutions and will attend the 2017 LEAD1 Association Institute at the University of Colorado-Boulder from July 17-19.

The McLendon Foundation offers postgraduate scholarships to minority candidates pursuing graduate degrees in athletics administration. But the Foundation’s minority scholarship program also aims to cultivate a pipeline of minority administrators in college athletics. As a woman of color, Lee said she is grateful to represent something bigger than herself.

“I’m humbled and thankful for programs like the McLendon Foundation that work to support up-and-coming administrators and give them the most exposure possible,” Lee said. “One day, it won’t be a story that you’re an administrator of color with the responsibility of opening doors for others of color. But the reality is, we have to talk about this, because there is still so much work left to do.”

Lee’s unique perspective as an athletic administrator combines her past experience as a student-athlete and three-time Vanderbilt graduate. She understands first-hand the rigors that face student-athletes at an elite academic institution in the SEC. Lee describes that pedigree as an asset to her line of work.

Plus, in more than two decades at Vanderbilt, Lee has never gotten bored of her job.

“The opportunity to serve student-athletes and be on a college campus is so energetic,” Lee said. “There’s just something about it. No two days are the same, which can be invigorating.”

David Williams, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletics Director, said Lee has served as a vital leader since she first stepped on campus.

“Candice arrived at Vanderbilt as a standout women’s basketball player and served as captain with the program,” Williams said. “She went on to receive three degrees from the university. Dr. Candice, as we call her, is a three-time Dore and a tremendous leader with a genuine passion for student-athletes and positioning Vanderbilt athletics as a leader in how we compete, serve our student-athletes and others. Combining her unique perspective and outstanding work ethic, Candice has an extremely bright future in collegiate athletics.”

When speaking with prospective student-athletes, Lee often reflects back on her career as a basketball player at Vanderbilt. Back then, Lee sought a unique combination of elite academics and championship-caliber athletics. Vanderbilt still offers the best of both worlds today.

“You’re looking for the best academic institution in the greatest conference in a world-class city? To me, it’s easy. It’s a no-brainer,” Lee said. “The opportunity to do what we do at a top-15 academic institution with amazing people, with amazing kids, that’s what people are looking for. And for me, getting to serve my alma mater is a chance to serve the place that served me in a different way.”

Lee said she looks forward to interacting with fellow McLendon Scholarship winners next month in Boulder. It’s an opportunity to learn from others who have followed similar paths to a career in college athletics.

But to Lee, it’s also a reminder of what she represents every day at Vanderbilt.

“Being a woman of color in this role at a great university, it’s humbling,” Lee said. “Every day it humbles me, but it also challenges me in a great way. Vanderbilt forces me to be better every single day.”