By Derek Mason, Vanderbilt Football Head Coach
RTI Journey is a new season-long series on VUCommodores.com written by Vanderbilt head football coach Derek Mason.
THANKFUL for the Journey
It’s Rivalry Week in college football and the Commodores will square off against the Tennessee Volunteers for the 113th time in this gridiron classic. It’s a win or stay home battle between two 5-6 teams. There are storylines and subplots to the exciting event that shape this contest to be one of the best games to watch in 2018. Homegrown talent on both sides, family ties, school affiliations and institutional pride have always been a source of motivation for this historic matchup.
Your Commodores will honor 27 academic seniors that have made the journey from different regions of the United States to find a place they truly call home: a place where knowledge, skill, purpose, passion, teamwork and humility have all intertwined to cultivate their individual brands into a unique tapestry of shared life experiences both on and off the field. While the fans remember drives, touchdowns, interceptions and goal-line stands, these seniors will remember the family that has marked their walk together. Whether it’s tomorrow or 20 years from now, one day football will be over for them and trust me, scoring touchdowns and making plays won’t be the things they remember. It will be fall camp, the locker room, the meals, the plane ride and shared sacrifices. The Brotherhood. These are the things they will miss. These are the things to be THANKFUL for.
I remember when each one of these young fellas stepped on this campus, lost, dazed and confused by the depth and breadth of the unknown. During the course of their time at Vanderbilt, the adversity of their challenges have become true building blocks for their future success. This university develops their strengths and exposes their weaknesses. The vulnerability of these student-athletes to trust the process, commit to the training and be RELENTLESS, TOUGH & INTELLIGENT enough to stay focused throughout the journey has set them apart. They are committed and trained to serve others. You want these men on your team, whether it’s on the field or not. They will carry your business, unit, group or partnership to the other side of any obstacle. They never quit and are never out of the fight for what’s right. For these 27 Commodores, it has never been about being right. It’s always been about the action it takes to get it right…and for this I am THANKFUL.
To the proud parents and loyal supporters of these young men, my staff and I are so very THANKFUL for you believing what we committed to when we started this journey together. We said that we would work to send a better product back to you than the one you dropped off: a better man whose hard work, intentional actions and process to respond would set him apart from all the rest. Our goal has never been perfection. The concept we have always strived for is consistency because this is what world-changers must be in this cycle of life to contend with the distractions of today. On this day of Thanksgiving, I am honored and blessed to have had the privilege to spend these last few years with a special group of seniors and their families who have given us memories for the ages. I love you all. If you ever need us, we’re only an anchor drop away.
Derek Mason
Vanderbilt Football Head Coach
RELENTLESS | TOUGH | INTELLIGENT
