Oct. 11, 2012
Fans attending the Florida-Vanderbilt game Saturday on campus are encouraged to arrive early for an array of several patriotic activities during the Commodores’ Salute to the Armed Forces.
The famed Black Daggers, headquartered in Fort Bragg, N.C., as part of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, will parachute the official game ball onto Vanderbilt Stadium’s Dudley Field about 15 minutes before the Gators and Commodores kick off at 5:02 p.m.
In addition to the parachute team, a group of wounded warriors and the Army’s 101st Airborne Division Air Assault marching band also are expected to participate in the armed forces salute.
A sellout crowd of more than 40,000 is expected for the Southeastern Conference encounter. Vanderbilt officials hope all fans arrive early to show their support of the participating military personnel and James Franklin’s Commodore squad.
“The Salute to the Armed Forces is a great way for every fan coming to the game to show their support and appreciation for the men and women who protect the United States,” Marketing Director Steve Walsh said. “We hope every ticket holder is in Vanderbilt Stadium well before kickoff for the activities we have scheduled.”
Just before the Black Daggers’ parachuters land on Dudley Field, Army and Navy ROTC students from Vanderbilt will participate in the procession of colors prior to the national anthem. The American flag being raised over Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday will arrive from the Nashville National Cemetery in Madison as part of a Fallen Soldiers March event.
Minutes after the Black Daggers parachute demonstration, nine military veterans from the Wounded Warriors Project will participate in the Anchor Presentation.
During halftime ceremonies, Vanderbilt’s Spirit of Gold Marching Band will be joined by the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault Band from Fort Campbell near Clarksville. The combined bands are scheduled to perform a melody of patriotic songs.
Vanderbilt Stadium gates will open to the public at 3 p.m. Vanderbilt’s pregame Star Walk, featuring coaches and players entering the stadium from locker rooms in McGugin Athletic Center, is scheduled 70 minutes before kickoff.
The full slate of gameday and military appreciation activities this Saturday follows:
- 2:45 p.m., Dore Alley (team arrives, walks Natchez Trace through Vandyville
- 3:52 p.m., Star Walk (team enters stadium from McGugin Athletics Center)
- 4:47 p.m., National Anthem
- 4:49 p.m., Black Daggers from Fort Bragg, N.C. parachute game ball onto Dudley Field
- 4:55 p.m., Veterans from Wounded Warriors Project stage Anchor presentation
- 5:02 p.m., Kickoff between Florida and Vanderbilt
- Halftime, Vanderbilt Spirit of Gold and 101st Airborne Air Assault bands perform
