Oct. 14, 2011
Quick Slant is an array of brief insights and occasionally opinionated overviews of collegiate athletics in general and the Vanderbilt Commodores in particular.
Homecoming is on the horizon. The Army football game is the centerpiece but this year our baseball team is playing two games against west coast power Cal State Fullerton. With the football game kicking off at 6 o’clock, baseball’s first pitch will be 11:00 a.m. Sunday’s finale will also begin at 11 a.m. allowing the visitors to catch their return flight. These fall baseball games are relatively new but obviously the top echelon teams want to see how they stack up. Last year we traveled to Texas.
National Commodore Club membership is up 250 members and annual giving is running $100,000 ahead as compared to the same time a year ago.
Speaking of the NCC, its popular pre-game tailgates previously located near Gate 2 will be located on McGugin Lawn (by the varsity tennis courts) for the Georgia and Army games. Members can call 615-322-4114 to RSVP.
There is a lot on tap for Vanderbilt letterwinners during Homecoming weekend (Oct. 21-22) Activities begin Friday noon with a McGugin Center Open House. Take a behind-the-scenes tour and at 3:30 be in Sarratt Cinema to hear Vice Chancellor David Williams discuss athletics, an ideal spot to get the straight scoop. Saturday afternoon includes a pre-game tailgate where lettermen can meet and mingle; then the alums head for Dudley Field to form the tunnel that will bring the football team out to play Army. Letterwinners in need of information should call the NCC at 615-322-4114.
NAME DROPPING –Former basketball star Jillian Danker Todd reports the great news that her son Henry Danker Todd was born October 12. Congratulations to Jillian and husband Jon on their first future Commodore! …Former basketball student-athlete Doug Weikert (VU, 1984) is an orthopedic surgeon at Vanderbilt Medical Center and a renowned expert on arm and hand injuries. While he watches over the football team on Saturdays, his daughter, Emily Clare, is a Vanderbilt cheerleader.
