Dear Commodore Nation,
Please join us in congratulating Coach Tim Corbin and the VandyBoys on advancing to the championship series of the College World Series. Even amid another unfortunate reminder of the challenges the past year has posed for college athletics, our student-athletes should be proud of an achievement months in the making. We are certainly proud of them.
Please also join us in extending our sympathy and best wishes to the N.C. State baseball program. After two thrilling games between our teams, we looked forward to the opportunity to again face the Wolfpack as worthy opponents on the field. But more importantly, they are our colleagues and friends. We feel for them as competitors and wish their student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators nothing but full health.
In a year that left all of us with little choice but to adapt as we go, even the final athletic event on the calendar created unprecedented circumstances. We wish that weren’t so. But we also cannot imagine student-athletes better suited to represent us than the current VandyBoys.
Coach Corbin built this program into one that not only embodies the best qualities of Vanderbilt, but also is deeply rooted in our mission as a university. This team lived that by persevering, adapting and ultimately thriving. We saw that on the field in Omaha this past week, in thrilling rallies against Arizona and Stanford. We saw it in their resolve from February forward. No matter how unpredictable that path proved, they stayed focused on their ultimate destination.
We celebrate them for their commitment to excellence and to each other.
Many of you are in Omaha or making your way there as the best-of-three finals begin Monday. We saw the black and gold in the stands and heard the roar that announced Commodore Nation’s presence. But students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans also have gathered in Nashville and across the country each time this team has taken the field.
Our One Vanderbilt community has coalesced around our student-athletes. Wherever this message finds you, we encourage you to continue sending your support and cheering on this team. This year, more than ever, we are united.
Anchor Down. Go Dores.
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor
Candice Lee
Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director