The Vanderbilt soccer team, coaching staff and key staffers are on an 11-day adventure to Japan that will include competitions, educational opportunities and visits to historic sites and attractions in the country. Over the next nine days, VUCommodores.com will provide daily content, including student-athlete blogs, videos, photo galleries and social media highlights.
May 24 – Day 2 in Tokyo
On Thursday, the Vanderbilt soccer team spent the evening at the US Embassy with the US Ambassador to Japan, William Hagerty ’81, JD’84. The Commodores’ first competitive opponent, FC Ventus, joined the team at a reception held at the ambassador’s residence in Tokyo.
Ambassador Hagerty and his wife, Chrissy, welcomed the Vanderbilt student-athletes, coaches and staff to the residence. The ambassador and his wife hosted an evening reception where both team head coaches spoke, gifts were exchanged and fellowship enjoyed.
Ambassador Hagerty spoke about his time at Vanderbilt and how it prepared him for public service.
“I was very fortunate to attend Vanderbilt Law School and am very indebted to the Wilson family who sponsored me. In the embassy, we are often dealing with treaties and laws back home and (the Vanderbilt education) has been very helpful,” Ambassador Hagerty said. “That investment is paying off now as I look to support and advance America’s interests in Japan.
It was an honor to meet US Ambassador to Japan (and Vanderbilt grad), William Hagerty! More to come… ???? pic.twitter.com/kg6VQsfkqv
 Vanderbilt Soccer (@Vandysocr) May 24, 2018
“From a general standpoint – in terms of having a spirit for public service – Vanderbilt offered many opportunities that prepared me for public service. And I also think that the network of people that I met at Vanderbilt has certainly helped. After law school I went to work for the Boston Consulting Group founded by a Vanderbilt graduate, the late Bruce Henderson. He sent me to Japan as a part of my work for the Boston Consulting group later in my career. I spent three wonderful years here and that’s what helped me learn the culture, learn the language, and set the foundation for me to come back here in a very different role,” Ambassador Hagerty added.
Ventus FC head coach Kei Shibayama was complimentary of the American soccer system and the NCAA collegiate model and was excited about the opportunity to face another American collegiate team.
“The United States has 1.2 million women playing soccer while Japan only has about 15,000,” Shibayama said. “We are in the process of researching the NCAA model as well as American sport management in an effort to improve the opportunities of our athletes’ careers.”
Vanderbilt soccer will face Ventus FC in their first international match of the trip. They will play at Jumonji University. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@VandySoccer) for updates.
