May 23, 2011
An expansion of Vanderbilt’s popular Vandyville gameday attraction has opened up more tailgating opportunities for fans planning to enjoy the Commodores’ upcoming football season.
Athletics officials will expand Vandyville on Natchez Trace toward Children’s Way, creating up to 100 yards of new tailgate access on the road that is closed to thru traffic on gamedays.
The area will be anchored by a pregame stage featuring live music in conjunction with the Commodores’ flagship radio station in Nashville, RQQ 97.1 Classic Hits. It will also be located in close proximity to a new kids’ activities location.
Orders for tailgate tents are being accepted. Tents for Vanderbilt’s seven-game home schedule are $600, and include two parking permits in the nearby flat lots. Season rentals of tables also can be reserved for $100.
Expanding Vandyville and adding live music and more kids’ attractions were ideas that developed in February when a random cross-section of Commodore season ticket holders gathered with numerous athletics officials to suggest ideas to enhance the Vanderbilt football gameday experience.
“We received some great feedback from those fans on how we could change the culture of Vanderbilt football for fans, and enhance the fan experience,” Vanderbilt Sales and Marketing Director Steve Walsh said. “We want our fans to realize that many of those suggestions, aimed at pre-game and in-game enhancements, are moving forward.”
In March, athletics officials and the National Commodore Club announced the first change stemming from fans’ suggestions: new pricing levels for two parking areas in the flat lot near Vanderbilt Stadium aimed at putting more Commodore fans in the prime gameday tailgate spaces.
Since its inception eight years ago, Vandyville has been a big success. Typically open six hours before kickoff, Vandyville allows fans to tailgate and enjoy an array of activities including watching college football games shown on a huge Jumbotron just steps away from the stadium main gate.
The expansion toward Children’s Way upgrades fan activities on the opposite end of Vandyville. A new location for more activities and attractions aimed at families and kids also will be located near the new music stage.
The first Vanderbilt season under Head Coach James Franklin opens Sept. 3 when the Commodores host Elon University on campus. Other home games include Connecticut, Sept. 10; Ole Miss, Sept. 17; Georgia, Oct. 15; Army, Oct. 22; Arkansas, Oct. 29; and Kentucky, Nov. 12.
Season tickets starting at $138 are available online at www.vucommodores.com, by phone at (615) 322-GOLD, or in person at the McGugin Athletic Center Box Office on Jess Neely Drive.
To pre-order Vandyville tents and tables, contact Vanderbilt Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing Allison Bradley at (615) 343-0245 or via email at Allison.bradley@vanderbilt.edu.
