Vanderbilt University has several events planned for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the general public during its homecoming scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Vanderbilt Commodores take on the Georgia Bulldogs at 11:20 a.m. central time.
Fans attending the football game are encouraged to arrive early and visit Vandyville, the official tailgating headquarters for Vanderbilt football. Vandyville is located on Natchez Trace, which is closed to traffic and features live music, games for kids, barbecue concessions from Golden Rule Smokehouse Grill and a JumboTron screen showing football games from across the country.
An hour before kickoff fans can join Vanderbilt’s Spirit of Gold Marching band along with the Vanderbilt Cheerleaders for “Star Walk,” where the team makes their walk to the stadium. For more information about Vandyville, visit http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/vandyville-main.html.
Vanderbilt’s homecoming weekend is also officially billed as “Reunion” weekend when the university invites alumni to return for a series gatherings in addition to homecoming events.
Each year, those in their 50th year of being Vanderbilt alumni – who are called “Quinqs” – receive special recognition at an induction ceremony and reception hosted by Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos.
This year black alumni will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni with a dinner featuring guest speaker Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, Vanderbilt Divinity School alumnus and leader of Nashville’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church. This event is open to the public and tickets are $25. For more information and to purchase tickets contact Carolyn Dunlap at carolyn.t.dunlap@vanderbilt.edu.
Other public events scheduled include Commodore Quake, the university’s annual homecoming concert, which this year features rappers Pitbull and Asher Roth, and rock band O.A.R. The concert will be held Thursday, Oct. 15, at Memorial Gym. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $25 for the general public through Ticketmaster at www.tickemaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased at the Sarratt Student Center’s box office on Vanderbilt’s campus.
Starting Oct. 13, students also have several events planned for the campus community. Among them are a blood drive, scavenger hunt, block party and a chance to vote for Vanderbilt’s Outstanding Senior who will be presented along with the top 10 finalists for the honor during halftime of Saturday’s homecoming football game.
For more information, about homecoming visit http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/vpb/homecoming.html, and for details regarding “Reunion ’09, visit, http://www.vanderbilt.edu/alumni/reunion/2009/.
NOTE FOR THOSE ATTENDING FOOTBALL GAME: Acting on continuing recommendations from law enforcement agencies, university officials remind fans to refrain from bringing large items – including purses – to the game. Bags or purses that do not fit inside 8-inch by 11-inch boxes stationed near each gate are prohibited. Bags of all sizes, from fanny packs and diaper bags to binocular cases, are subject to search at all gates.
Items that are not permitted past Vanderbilt Stadium’s entry gate include: all food and drink containers, bottles, horns, cans, thermos bottles, ice bags, ice chests, backpacks, large bags, video cameras, strollers, infant seats, hard surfaced materials, pocket knives, or any object deemed hazardous by the game management personnel. Gate personnel are instructed to enforce this rule in the interest of safety. Stadium security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of spectator safety. Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering the stadium.
Click here for more information about Vanderbilt football game day practices and procedures.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, (615) 322-2706
Princine.lewis@vanderbilt.edu