Sept. 16, 2011
Vanderbilt Food Coach Majid “Magic” Noori was profiled by Cindy Thomsen in the summer edition of “Vanderbilt Magazine.” Noori has received much-deserved recognition through the years for his work with Vanderbilt’s student-athletes.
Not all Vanderbilt coaches are on the sidelines during games, calling plays and devising strategies. Some, like Majid “Magic” Noori, stay behind the scenes, but their jobs are no less important.
As Vanderbilt’s food coach, Noori is in charge of the Training Table, the university’s nationally known athletic dining facility. As a former athlete himself, and with a degree in physical education and years of restaurant experience, Noori is a natural fit for the job.
ldquo;I’ve always liked being around athletes, but I ended up working in restaurants,” the Iranian-born Noori says. “I met Vanderbilt’s former athletic director at a function, and he told me his plans for opening the Training Table. He hired me, so now I’m taking care of the athletes.”
It’s a big job, with 350 athletesâ€â€Âspread across 16 teamsâ€â€Âto feed. Because of NCAA regulations, the facility is only open for the evening meal during the school year. However, when football camp is in session before classes begin in late summer, Noori oversees four or five meals a day.
