Nov. 3, 2011
Quick Slant is an array of brief insights and occasionally opinionated overviews of collegiate athletics in general and the Vanderbilt Commodores in particular.
Project One Four, a charitable foundation formed by Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price, recently held an enjoyable fundraiser, Dining with David and Friends. The event included participation from fellow Vandy first-round picks Mike Minor, Pedro Alvarez and Sonny Gray along with Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin, Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist and ex-Shelbyville and Lipscomb star Rex Brothers among others. Joe Fisher was the emcee.
Price’s foundation has helped over a dozen area schools and Boys and Girls Clubs by purchasing computers and iPads, microscopes, school uniforms, backpacks and other needed supplies. This dinner included an auction of terrific memorabilia, such as a signed 3,000 hit-item from Yankee star Derek Jeter, a hit that Price ironically allowed. Alvarez quietly purchased a framed photograph of a dynamic Boston Red Sox play at home plate. When the dinner concluded, Alvarez gave his purchase to Corbin, knowing his old coach’s love of the Sox.
No one on Price’s Board of Directors earns a penny for their efforts; 100% of revenue is given to needy kids and schools. David and Sonny will team up again Nov. 19 at the Smyrna Bowling Center for the “Live Like Nate” event, Price’s tribute to his late former prep teammate. To keep up with David and Project One Four events, you can become a fan on its Facebook page and if you are moved to help Price’s efforts, contact Bonnie Price at 615-890-8634.
Speaking of Pedro, the Pittsburgh Pirate has decided to make Nashville his off-season home so he can be near excellent workout facilities and his former coaches. It is one thing to see star talent recruited to play at Vanderbilt but very gratifying when they choose to return as professionals.
Shelley Jarrard, a key member of the 1993 Final Four basketball team, is set to begin her first season as the head women’s basketball coach at Westminster College. Jarrard had been an assistant at Salt Lake Community College after spending 11 years on the staff at the University of Utah. She is remembered here for her knack at making buzzer-beating shots.
Winning is fun! Everyone in black and gold, whether they were experts armed with stop watches to measure splits or novices barely able to find the course, marveled at how dominant our women’s cross country has become in easily winning the SEC Championship. They have their sights set on the NCAA Championship Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind., and are setting a nice, high bar for a number of other very good Vanderbilt teams to take aim at matching or surpassing.
