Commodore Nation, September 2011

September 2011

ALL IN JORDAN MATTHEWS:

POST MOVES, POST ROUTES

table of contents 8

2 Compliance Corner Car in the shop 4 National Commodore Club 2011 fiscal overview 5 NCC Staff Changes Meet our team 7 More from McGugin By the numbers 8 My Game Senior defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone 10 Catching On Sophomore receiver Jordan Matthews 13 Kick for a Cure Profiling soccer’s Elizabeth Lillie

14 Soccer Staff Changes

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Derek Greene named head coach

17 Men’s Golf

Coach Shaw previews 2011-12 18 Corbin’s Coup

2012 freshman class revealed 21 Memory Lane A look at the 1892 football team

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23 Upcoming Events

2011-12 men’s basketball schedule To submit a letter to Commodore Nation, you can e-mail: commodorenation@vanderbilt.edu or write to Commodore Nation, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville, TN 37212. Letters should include the writer’s name and address and may be edited for clarity and space.

vucommodores.com

24 Last Shot

Commodores on move-in day

VUCOMMODORES.COM

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COMPLIANCE

COR NER Q: A:

First Down is a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University. His car is in the shop and he needs to get to class. Money Bags, a representative of Vanderbilt’s athletic interests, hears of First’s dilemma and offers to transport him until his car is fixed.

Is this permissible?

No. According to NCAA Bylaw 16.11.2.3, an institution employees or representative of the institution’s athletics interest may not provide a student-athlete with extra benefits or services, including but not limited to: (a) A loan of money; (b) A guarantee of bond; (c) An automobile or the use of an automobile; (d) Transportation, even if the student-athlete reimburses the institution or the staff member for the appropriate amount of the gas or expense, or (e) Signing or cosigning a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.

Editorial

Publisher: Vanderbilt University Editor-in-Chief: Chris Weinman

Director of Communications: Rod Williamson

Designers: Jeremy Teaford

Chris Weinman

Digital Image Specialist: Julie Luckett Turner VU Photography: Mary Donaldson

Daniel Dubois Steve Green Joe Howell Jenny Mandeville Anne Rayner

Compliance questions? Please contact:

John Russell

Candice Lee George Midgett Director of Compliance Compliance Coordinator 615/322-7992 615/322-2083 candice.lee@vanderbilt.edu george.d.midgett@vanderbilt.edu

Susan Urmy

Contributors: Laina Balafas

Andy Boggs Sterling Frierson Larry Leathers George Midgett

John Peach Andrew Turner Compliance Coordinator Recruiting/Compliance Coordinator 615/343-1060 615/322-4543 john.w.peach@vanderbilt.edu andrew.turner@vanderbilt.edu

Kyle Parkinson Ryan Schulz Jennifer Stevens

Administrative

Chancellor: Nicholas S. Zeppos Vice Chancellor for University Affairs: David Williams II Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs: Beth Fortune

Vanderbilt University’s Mission, Goals and Values Vanderbilt University is a center for scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large. Vanderbilt will uphold the highest standards and be a leader in the quest for new knowledge through scholarship, dissemination of knowledge through teaching and outreach, and creative experimentation of ideas and concepts. In pursuit of these goals, Vanderbilt values most highly intellectual freedom that supports open inquiry, and equality, compassion and excellence in all endeavors.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action university.

ON THE COVER: Kyle Fischer, Udom Umoh, Chris Marve and T.J. Greenstone, photos by Joe Howell, VU Photography POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to National Commodore Club, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville, TN 37212.

SUBSCRIPTION: To subscribe, contact Chris Weinman by by e-mail at commodorenation@vanderbilt.edu ADVERTISEMENT: To advertise with Commodore Nation, please contact Vanderbilt IMG Sports & Entertainment Properties.

Jeff Miller, general manager 615/322-4468; jeff.miller@imgworld.com

Commodore Nation is printed using recycled paper.

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SEPTEMBER 2011

The generosity of National Commodore Club members helps Vanderbilt student-athletes take their lives to the next level.

Please consider taking your support to the next level by increasing your gift to the National Commodore Club.

NationalCommodoreClub.com vucommodores.com

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C O M M O D O R E C LU B

COR N E R

PHONE: 615/322-4114 • ONLINE: vanderbilt.edu/ncc 2011 Fiscal Year Overview

NCC 101

The staff of the National Commodore Club would like to offer our sincere appreciation to all of those donors who supported Vanderbilt Athletics during the 2010-11 academic year. Because of your support and commitment to Vanderbilt athletics, the National Commodore Club was able to reach new heights with 3,200-plus members. In addition, our total annual giving reached its highest point in the past 13 years.

This was due in large part to the efforts of you, our loyal Commodore fans, in spreading the NCC message to your friends and family. During our Commodores On Board campaign, we asked current members to go out and recruit new members. As always, you answered the call, and we were able to welcome more than 1,000 new members into the NCC this year. In addition, we raised more than $4.2M this year towards the McGugin Renovation project. This project will help provide the facilities our coaches need to recruit the best and brightest student-athletes from around the world.

In the coming months and years, our NCC staff will provide information on what steps the Commodore Nation will need to implement to take our programs to the next level. We will continue to address the increasing fiscal needs of our student-athletes and build a solid financial foundation for the future of Vanderbilt Athletics. All of these decisions and actions will be made with the goal of providing the best possible experience for Vanderbilt student-athletes while maintaining the integrity of Vanderbilt University and its faithful. We thank you for your generous support, and we appreciate your giving that helps make all of this possible. We look forward to working with you to ensure an even more prosperous future.

Go ’Dores!

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SEPTEMBER 2011

NCC MEMBERSHIP TOTALS

NEW NCC MEMBERS

NCC FUNDRAISING TOTALS

NCC STAFF CHANGES The National Commodore Club recently announced some changes to our staff. We wished Executive Director Christy Passmore and longtime Commodore Lucy Jones the very best as they both retired June 30.

Mark Carter, who last year was our director of athletics development, now is our executive director. He brings exciting new ideas, a strong development background and a solid commitment to Vanderbilt Athletics. There is a detailed feature about Mark on our athletic website, vucommodores.com.

Also promoted were Bart Smith, who came to Vanderbilt from Duke last year, and Sterling Frierson, who has been on the Vanderbilt athletic staff since 2005, the past two with the NCC. Smith is the new director of the National Commodore Club and athletics development and Frierson is assistant director of the National Commodore Club and athletics development.

NCC veteran Robin Langlois, who has been outstanding in her role as member services coordinator, will continue to serve our members. So, too, will Michelle Parks, who many of you know as the smiling face when you walk in the front door or the friendly voice on the other end of the phone when you call the office.

Kendal Duncan, who joined the staff this past year and who has a great athletics pedigree, will continue in her role as an assistant to National Commodore Club and athletics development staff. New to our office are Nik Aamlid and Ryan Lowe, who both are interning through the Belmont Sport Administration program.

Please stop by the McGugin Center to visit us. We are looking forward to seeing you at games and events throughout the year.

HOME GAME NCC TENT In another step to change the football culture at Vanderbilt, the National Commodore Club will be offering a new pregame hospitality area before four home games this fall. The area will have two highdefinition televisions to watch the other football action from around the country and will serve as a great meeting place for NCC members. Admission to the tent is $15 per person for National Commodore Club members and their guests, and will include a food buffet and unlimited soft drinks and beer. This new venture is a great way for NCC members to enjoy pregame festivities without all the hassles of creating your own tailgate.

Please RSVP by the Monday of the game week to Kendal Duncan, NCC Development Assistant, at kendal.duncan@vanderbilt.edu or by calling 615/322.4114. We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 3.

NCC Pregame Tailgate Schedule: Sept. 3 – Elon (3-6 p.m.)

Between Gate 2 and Starwalk Sept. 10 – UConn (3-6 p.m.)

Between Gate 2 and Starwalk Oct. 15 – Georgia (TBA) McGugin Lawn Oct. 22 – Army (TBA) McGugin Lawn

Mark Carter

Bart Smith

Sterling Frierson

Robin Langlois

Michelle Parks

Kendal Duncan

Follow NCC Executive Director Mark Carter

@NCCMarkCarter vucommodores.com

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More from McGugin

High expectations as cross country opens locally

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he Vanderbilt Women’s Cross Country team was picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference by the league’s coaches in a preseason poll.

It is the highest pre-season prediction for the team in school history. The women’s squad also earned one of the 12 first-place votes for the first ti me in program history.

“Last year was a season of program bests (third in the SEC and third at the NCAA Regional), and I know that the women have much higher goals for this season,” Head Coach Steve Keith said. “We’ve graduated a few and added a few, and I’m sure all of the other SEC schools are in the same position.

The important thing is that the women—for the first time last year—put themselves in the mix for the SEC title, and that has them extremely motivated this year.”

Florida was selected to win the league title on the women’s side, with Arkansas expected to finish second ahead of the Commodores.

Vanderbilt will host the Commodore Classic on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Percy Warner Park. The men’s 8,000-meter race will begin at 8:45 a.m. CT, while the women’s 5,000-meter race will commence at 9:30 a.m.

A

A two-time first-team All-American, Ally Carey is now a member of the U.S. national team.

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NUMBERS 1

foot being added to the NCAA women’s basketball 3-point line, making it equal to the men’s line at 20 feet, 9 inches.

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newcomers to the baseball team who enrolled in fall classes, including the only firstround draft pick not to sign a pro contract, Tyler Beede.

Jordan White qualified for NCAAs last season as a sophomore.

That weekend the cross country program also will host its second annual Vanderbilt Cross Country Reunion Weekend.

A reception is planned for Friday, Sept. 16, with all former student-athletes and coaches invited to watch the following day’s meet and stay for a post-race barbecue. Last year more than 30 alumni attended the reunion.

Carey, Falcone earns spots on Team USA t the conclusion of a three-day tryout featuring more than 80 of the top women’s lacrosse players in the country, Vanderbilt rising senior Ally Carey and assistant coach Amber Falcone were both chosen for the 2011-12 U.S. women’s national senior team, US Lacrosse announced.

By The

The 36-player roster will lay the foundation for the 2013 team that will compete in the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario. This year’s team will come together for several events, including Stars & Stripes Weekend in October, the Champion Challenge in January and numerous national team player clinics throughout the year at various locations around the country.

“I’m really excited to go forward with the U.S. team,” Carey said. “Playing with the best players in the nation was an amazing experience. I learned a lot, and I’m excited to learn more from [Head Coach] Ricky [Fried] and his team of coaches. This is an amazing opportunity, and I am so grateful I can be a part of the team.”

Already a two-time first-team IWLCA All-American, this will be Carey’s first tour with the national team. Falcone is in her fourth season with the national squad and was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player when the U.S. won the 2009 FIL World Cup. Rising senior goalkeeper Natalie Wills also competed for a place on the national team after advancing through the initial tryout in May. All four goalies selected to this season’s national team were Team USA veterans.

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Commodore freshmen named to the 2011 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll for achieving a GPA of 3.0 or above.

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teams converging on the Vanderbilt Legends Club the last weekend of September for the men’s Mason Rudolph Championship and women’s Mason Rudolph Fall Preview.

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points scored for Team USA by John Jenkins at the recent 2011 World University Games men’s basketball championship in China.

1,072

new members of the National Commodore Club who joined during the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

500,000

pounds of canned goods donated—the goal of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during the annual “Together We CAN” Drive, which kicks off Sept. 16.

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My Game Fifth-year senior T.J. Greenstone enters his final season in the black and gold as the Commodores’ most proven commodity on the defensive line. Last year, the co-captain returned from a mid-season injury to record a season-high seven tackles against Kentucky. When not knocking heads on the field, Greenstone often can be found interviewing teammates for segments on vucommodores.com.

On moving around as a kid: “We moved from Texas to Pennsylvania to Atlanta, where my family is now. My mom’s whole side of the family is in Pittsburgh. I was born in Houston, but the Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) never sold out, so I was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan because they were always on TV. So that was a nice little rivalry there. My dad got transferred on a job to Atlanta, so that’s when we moved there, about sixth grade.

Most of my football life’s been in Atlanta.”

On the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference connection: “That’s the first thing I said to Coach Franklin when I found out he played for East Stroudsburg, that my dad played nose guard at Edinboro and my mom played basketball there and went to the Sweet 16 against Rutgers. [Defensive Line Coach Sean Spencer] played against Edinboro, too (at Clarion University), so there are a lot of connections in that northeast area.”

On whether he grew up wanting to play in SEC: “I just wanted to play college football somewhere. When I grew up, a lot of people told me I’d be too small, too slow, too whatever to play in the SEC, so they told me to look at smaller schools. Vandy gave me a chance, and I’d like to think I’ve been trying to use the best of that chance I’ve had so far.”

On his pre-game routine: “It kind of changes; depends on the mood. I like to keep things loose.

A lot of guys like to get real uptight, I like to stay loose. When I’m kinda flying around reacting instead of uptight is when I play best.

I’ve got some stuff I like to write on my wrists, same thing every time: KH4JC. ‘Knock heads for Jesus Christ.’”

T.J.

Greenstone

On defensive line coach Sean Spencer: “We call him Coach Chaos. That describes him to the fullest. The man never runs out of energy. I think he almost blew a pec out when he was working out yesterday. He’s always all over the place, nonstop. He’s hilarious during meetings—always keeps people awake.

He really knows the game, knows how to play aggressive. He’s done a great job of motivating me, keeping me going throughout the last year since I met him.”

On being limited by injury last season: “It’s been a long year—a long career, I feel like. I’m excited—I’m finally getting back to 100% healthy and getting my legs back under me. I’m putting all those injuries in the past and working each day to keep moving forward.”

JOHN RUSSELL

On summer workouts: “I did a lot work with Coach Galt, Coach Losey (this summer). If there was work, I was getting it in. Guys would be going to church on Sundays and, sometimes, I’d go get a lift in before. Saturday mornings, some guys are sleeping in, I’m getting a lift in. I’m trying each day to get on my rehab and be better and better and better, just be prepared for the season. It’s a long season, playing in the SEC. And the way we’re playing defense—attacking, aggressive—our bodies have to be ready.”

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SEPTEMBER 2011

On former VU defensive lineman and current assistant strength coach Chuck Losey: “He’s nice to have. When the offense is doing ‘skele’ (skeleton passing drills), playing pitch and catch, we’re on the sleds with Coach Losey or working cans with Coach Losey. He’s kind of like having another defensive line coach even though he’s not our defensive line coach.

During that time when we’re not allowed to work with coaches, we always had him there for reference, and he kept us on the right track.

He’s done a great job of preparing us for camp.”

On another “Player to Watch” on the defensive line: “Colt Nichter. He’s had a hell of a camp. He’s really learned how to play low, use his hands really well. As long as we can stay healthy up front, we should have a hell of a rotation.”

On who he considers the funniest person on the team: “Everybody. That’s the one thing I like about these guys, they’re so light-hearted. Some days you may think you want to wrap it up and go home, but then you see the guys next to you and they’re always having a great time. I’m spent some time rooming with Tim Fugger and Brandon Barden. Those two cats are different, but they’re both funny. Everybody’s funny in their own way. Barden’s got the whole country thing and then Fugger, you never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.”

JOE HOWELL

JOHN RUSSELL

On his favorite class at Vanderbilt: “I took Contemporary Philosophy: Sports Ethics, with Dr. Joan Forry.

She found ways to keep me wanting to come to class. I’m not going to say that’s hard around here, but when we’re so busy, she found great ways to tie it in. I never missed a day of that class, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.” n

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Air Matthews

Sophomore traded post moves for post routes

By Chris Weinman

“I love Jordan’s offensive game. He can go and get the ball better than anyone I know.”

— DB Casey Hayward

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SEPTEMBER 2011

JOE HOWELL

F

rom his first day in black and gold, Head Coach James Franklin has talked about expanding the Commodore football team’s “big play” ability.

This season, expect the Vanderbilt offense to look no further than one of its biggest playmakers, true sophomore wide receiver Jordan Matthews.

Matthews came to Vanderbilt as one of four true freshman wide receivers on the 2010 roster, along with Jonathan Krause, Chris Boyd and Trent Pruitt. Though he played in all 12 games a year ago, his contributions were limited in the first half of the season. He did not record a catch until VU’s week five blowout vcitory over Eastern Michigan.

“I was probably not playing as much as I wanted to at the beginning of the year, but I just had to keep coming to practice with the right attitude,” Matthews said.

Having spent 10 days on an African mission during the summer before his senior year with a group from Madison Academy, a Christian school 15 miles west of Huntsville, Matthews found it easy to keep working hard in the face of adversity.

“The best thing about Africa was that it was eye-opening,” Matthews said. “It taught me a lot about humility and not taking things for granted. Whenever we come out here in practice, I try my best not to complain and not to think of how hard football is, because it’s a blessing to be in this country and be able to play football.”

Eventually, Matthews would get his chance. In back-to-back weeks against Florida and Kentucky, he came up with fourthquarter touchdown receptions. He would close his freshman campaign with a TD catch in each of the final four games, leading the Commodores in receptions and yards against Tennessee (5-for-62) and Wake Forest (7-for-74).

Jordan Matthews’ first career touchdown reception was this acrobatic grab against Florida.

“Being able to have my opportunity at the end of the year and being able to make the most out of it, that was really good.”

The Madison, Ala., native enters his sophomore campaign as the Commodores’ biggest receiving threat, according to his new mentor.

“Right now he’s the leader of the group,” Wide Receivers Coach Chris Beatty said.

“He makes the most plays. He’s one of the hardest workers that we’ve got.

“Jordan has great athleticism. He’s not the fastest guy, but the way he plays the ball, the way he attacks the ball in the air—he always gives himself a chance to make a play.”

His 6’3” frame certainly gives Matthews a height advantage over most defensive backs, an advantage he enjoyed less often as a basketball player at Alabama powerhouse Madison Academy.

Matthews was a power forward for the Mustangs, who competed for the Alabama

state championship in five consecutive seasons from 2006 to 2010. He played on the 2008 state championship team as a sophomore and helped the squad return to the championship game in his junior and senior campaigns.

Matthews’ athletic pedigree allowed him to be a two-sport standout in high school.

His father, Roderick, was a basketball player, and his mother, Brenda—a cousin of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice—ran track.

“That’s where most of my roots came from,” Matthews said. “Growing up we always played basketball—that was my dad’s favorite sport. My mom is probably where I got my speed from, and my dad is where I got my jumping ability and athleticism. When you mix both of those together it makes a football player.”

Transitioning from the court to the football field—where he had 13 touchdown catches

Commodore Tailgate Tour Join us on the road for the 2011 Commodore Tailgate Tour.

The first stop on the tour will be Columbia, S.C. on Sept. 24.

JOHN RUSSELL

The tailgate will be held at Seawell’s, 1125 Rosewood Dr.

Matthews led the Commodores in touchdown receptions last season as a true freshman.

and eight interceptions as an All-State performer in his senior season at Madison— Matthews had little trouble carrying over his basketball skill set.

“Playing power forward helped me out a lot in knowing how to go up for the ball against taller guys,” Matthews said. “The way I play football is usually with a basketball mindset.

Whether it’s a short hitch and boxing a guy out, or maybe a fade and having to go get it like a rebound, I feel like I can use my body and my height to go up and get that ball.”

Matthews’ position coach sees the parallels between his basketball upbringing and his current success at wide receiver.

“The way he attacks the ball in the air is kind of like attacking a rebound,” Beatty said.

“He does a great job in traffic, as well. In basketball, you’re always in some kind of traffic in the paint, and he does a great job of finding the ball and locating it in the air. I can definitely see how they go together.”

Teammates, especially those he goes against every day in practice, also have noticed Matthews’ unique set of skills.

“I love Jordan’s offensive game,” AllSoutheastern Conference defensive back Casey Hayward said. “He can go and get the ball better than anyone I know. He’s one of the most competitive guys on the team.

That’s where he stands out; he competes.”

Matthews’ competitive streak shows most in practice and on game days when going up for a “jump ball” against a defensive back, but his humble demeanor off the field gives more of a hint of his true down-to-earth personality. He speaks of his coaches with the utmost respect and admiration.

“It’s a blessing working with Coach Beatty,” Matthews said. “He’s a great guy. He may be

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soft-spoken, but when he opens his mouth he speaks wisdom. He knows what he’s talking about.”

Matthews also appreciates the hard work of his teammates and talks more about trying to improve as a group as opposed to beating out those in his position group.

“There are no rivalries,” Matthews said.

“We’re all friends here. Coach wants us all to do well. I love Udom (Umoh) and John Cole just as much as I love Chris Boyd, Trent Pruitt and Jonathan Krause. We just have to go out there and try to make each other better each day.”

He heaps praise on the way veteran players like Umoh and Cole took him under their wing last year, even when he was likely taking minutes away from older guys.

“Udom and John are the two leaders,” Matthews said. “Those guys have the wisdom, and they’ve played more games than any of us, so they lead in all the drills and they teach us what we should do.”

Matthews has adjusted to life in college, where he is one of a number of good offensive options instead of being the No. 1 option on every play.

“Growing up, my instinct was to always want the ball every single play,” Matthews said. “In high school, it was a lot like that; I always got the ball. But when I came to college, I realized that I was around a lot of playmakers. When you’re playing with guys like Zac Stacy, Brandon Barden and Warren Norman, you have to realize that you won’t get the ball every single play. When I do have my chance, I have to make the most of it. I still have that killer instinct inside of me that wants the ball a lot.” n

Packages are $65 and include a game ticket, food, soft drinks and cash bar.

For more information or to register, visit: NationalCommodoreClub.com or call 615/322.4114.

We hope to see you on the road!

Visit NationalCommodoreClub.com for details on the Tuscaloosa tour stop.

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better response. The goal is to be able to take a biopsy of a tumor and put it in our device with this different oxygen grading— because they use oxygen treatment to treat cancer right now. And based on the retardation of growth within our reactor we can tell which concentration of oxygen that person would need to target their specific cancer.”

Lillie estimates that she has put in more than 1,500 hours at the lab—most of those during the summer months. She juggled 7 a.m. workouts and 4 p.m. rehab appointments to log more than 400 hours from May to August. While she is one of the few students in the program who has worked for all four years on a single project, that is a source of pride for Lillie. “[My project] moves more slowly than most, so I’ve gotten the most out of it by doing it long-term,” Lillie said. “Plus, I have much better cell-culture habits than the typical person. When things go wrong, I know how to fix it. You don’t get those skills in just one summer.”

Breast cancer hits close to home for the Rochester, Mich., native. Lillie’s grandmother battled the disease, a fact that makes the work she’s doing feel “really important.”

This fall, Lillie will have another opportunity to further the fight against breast cancer, this time by coming to the soccer stadium instead of being pulled away from it.

On Friday, Oct. 7, Vanderbilt will play host to LSU for the school’s annual “Power in Pink” game. The Commodores will don pink uniforms on a night designated to raise awareness for breast cancer as part of a national initiative sponsored by Under Armour.

Elizabeth Lillie has worked for three years researching cancer treatments.

Lillie plans to attend graduate school following her Vanderbilt Commencement this coming May, where she is considering shifting her focus from cell culture to medical instrumentation. Whatever path she chooses, it’s clear that Lillie has all the tools necessary to tackle important issues. She can even slide tackle them, if necessary. n After opening their SEC schedule with four straight road games, the Commodores will host six of their final seven matches at the VU Soccer Complex, beginning with the Oct. 7 “Power in Pink” game against LSU.

JOE HOWELL

lass. Practice. Lab. Game.

Going back and forth from academics to athletics can be quite a grind for the normal student-athlete.

Microfluidic device. Offside trap. Thick tissue bioreactor. Corner kick.

Going back and forth from biomechanical engineering to major college soccer adds an extra dimension to that studentathlete experience, but Elizabeth Lillie has made it work quite nicely during her career at Vanderbilt. Entering her senior season, Lillie had started 19 career games while earning academic honors from the Southeastern Conference in each of her first three seasons.

On top of normal course work and team activities, Lillie has been involved with an in-depth research project as part of the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education’s SyBBURE program. SyBBURE (pronounced “cyber”), which stands for Systems Biology and Bioengineering Undergraduate Research Experience, provides undergraduate students with mentored experiences in advanced scientific investigation with some of the university’s leading research and teaching faculty.

Lillie has spent the past three years working in a lab for VIIBRE faculty Lisa McCawley and Dmitry Markov. The project is attempting to further enhance the individualization of breast cancer treatment.

“That’s the way medicine is going now, especially for cancer. They are starting to find that so many carcinogens are personalized,” Lillie said. “If you can individualize your treatment, the person has a much

STEVE GREEN

Soccer and Science

Vanderbilt’s senior class (L-R): Lillie, Candace West, Emily Grant and Bridget Lohmuller.

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Greene prepared for opportunity as soccer head coach

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hen former VU head soccer coach Ronnie Woodard announced her retirement one week before the opening of the Commodores’ 2011 preseason camp, Vice Chancellor David Williams turned to Derek Greene to lead the program. While the move may have appeared abrupt to an outsider, it was an opportunity Greene has been working toward his entire career.

Shortly after the move was announced, Greene spoke with Commodore Nation editor Chris Weinman about his plans to further the Vanderbilt soccer program.

Below is an excerpt of that interview: NATION: After graduating nine players, including six starters, from last year’s team, what are your expectations for the 2011 season?

GREENE: We lost a lot of talent and experience from last season, but knowing the returning players we have—their goals, their drive—and watching our incoming players—most recently at our elite residential camp—there’s no reason we can’t be competing for the top half of this league or higher.

In the last four seasons we missed the postseason twice and got into the SEC Tournament the past two years as the

eighth seed. I think we can have higher expectations this season.

We do have some new pieces, so Sebastian [Vecchio] and I are going to be working hard to evaluate our team during preseason camp. We’ll be young but talented.

I’ve been in this league for a long time, and I believe the core pieces are there for us to have success.

this program back into that conversation and to be contenders every year. I know this league, the teams, the players, the style each team plays. I expect us to be competing for SEC Championships in the near future, and I expect us to be in the NCAA Tournament every year. My goal is to coach in the Final Four, and I think Vanderbilt is a place where you can achieve that goal.

NATION: You were a big reason that Coach Vecchio was brought onto the staff before last season.

Talk about his contributions to the program.

GREENE: Sebastian is passionate about the game of soccer and deeply cares about our team. We’ve known each other for four or five years, and when Ronnie hired me last year Sebastian was on the top of my list of coaches to work with.

He’s one of the rising stars in college soccer, and I’m excited to continue working with him. We are both committed to doing everything we can to make this one of the top programs in the country. Sebastian’s coaching—from recruiting to mentoring our goalkeepers— will be a huge part of our success.

NATION: What stands out to you about the Vanderbilt soccer program?

GREENE: This is one of the most storied programs through the history of women’s college soccer. If you look back in the ’90s, Vanderbilt appeared in almost every NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt established itself as one of the elite programs nationally. I want to return to those days, and nothing is stopping us from competing at the highest level in the country.

We have a world-class university in a world-class city. Vanderbilt and Nashville have both branded themselves nationally.

We want for VU Soccer to be nationally recognized brand on that same level.

Recruiting is the number one thing that’s going to change the level of our program.

I don’t see a negative thing about the Vanderbilt experience. So once you are presenting that package, you start opening doors, and there’s no reason we can’t get top-flight kids excited about everything we have to offer. n

NATION: Moving forward, what are your goals for the Commodore soccer program?

GREENE: It’s really cliche’ to say that we want to win the SEC; everybody says that this time of year. Realistically, Florida has dominated the conference for the last 15 years or so. But our aspirations are to get

Head Coach Derek Greene brought one of his former players on board the Commodore staff, hiring Ole Miss standout Christine Breaux as an assistant coach.

A 2005 freshman All-American and 2008 All-Southeastern Conference honoree, Breaux started all 81 matches in her career at Ole Miss, where Greene was the associate head coach.

“We are thrilled to have Christine join our staff and soccer family at Vanderbilt,” Greene said. “The moment I found out I was going to be named head coach, I immediately thought of Christine because I know what a great person and competitor she is. She embodies everything you want a person to stand for in life. Coaching her at Ole Miss was so easy because whatever you asked her to do, she did it 100% every time.”

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JOE HOWELL

Breaux hired

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FOREcast: Men’s Golf Sixth-year Head Coach Tom Shaw sat down last month with Commodore Nation to discuss his team’s goals for the upcoming season.

NATION: Your seniors have had success this summer, with Adam Hofmann competing in the U.S. Amateur and Trey DelGreco winning the Alabama Open. What are you looking for from them as the school year opens?

SHAW: They have had four years of not really great performances in our home event, and I think they want to leave Vanderbilt having changed that. There’s some extra incentive this year to leave on a note that’s very positive, and hopefully to win our home tournament. We have the fire power to do it.

A couple of guys are hurt that could have possibly been in the lineup, but we’ll have to deal with that. The guys that we do have healthy can certainly play well on our home track; for a variety of reasons, that just hasn’t happened in the past. But I feel like this year we’re in a better position to ring up a win in the Mason Rudolph, which is something I don’t think we’ve ever done.

NATION: What can you tell us about the incoming class?

SHAW: Ben Fogler is certainly a name that a lot of Vandy fans will recognize—the son of Eddie Fogler, a former basketball coach here. Ben was born in Vanderbilt Hospital, and now to see him become a Vanderbilt student-athlete is something his parents probably never could have imagined but are certainly thrilled about. He’s one of the better players coming out of the state of South Carolina, which is always one of the

deepest talent pools in the country, so we’re very happy to have Ben on our team. He’s the prototypical Vanderbilt student-athlete— a great student and very fine golfer—and will handle the challenges that come with being a Vandy student-athlete with ease, I believe.

Hunter Stewart has had an incredible summer and may be one of the best players we’ve ever brought in to the program. He played in the U.S. Amateur this summer as an incoming freshman and one of the youngest players in the field. I think he will carry that forward to college golf and be a consistent member of our starting five. Not to put any extra pressure on him, but he has the ability and the game to make us into the kind of team that we haven’t really been the last couple years.

NATION: Why was Dusty Smith the right choice to replace Justin Emil, who was hired as the Head Coach at Rice in June?

SHAW: Justin did a great job here for five years, and I think Dusty will build on that and help move our program forward. He’s a terrific player; I think the guys on the team will appreciate that and learn from that. He’s been in a position to compete for NCAA Championships, which our guys have not to this point. They can learn a lot from his experiences as a student-athlete and as a really good player. It was a no-brainer for me to bring in somebody with not only his background as a student-athlete but also his background as a coach who’s done it for a couple of years and has recruited both nationally and internationally—that’s an area that we’d like to explore a little further, and

Mason Rudolph Champioionships

he’s got experience doing that. He brings a lot to the table.

NATION: Can you give a preview of how the schedule shapes up this season?

SHAW: Our fall schedule is phenomenal.

You’re not going to find a school that gives their kids a better experience than our schedule. Opening at Pebble Beach and Spyglass over the Labor Day weekend is something that, really, no other college student-athlete has been involved with. Hosting our tournament is a big deal; a home event is always a big deal, and we want to make it memorable.

Going back to California for the Prestige is another great experience in a different part of the country against mostly western U.S. teams, which is great. You don’t want to play the same southeastern teams over and over and over again. Now we get to play the Stanfords and Oregons—you have some really strong teams there. Then we go back to Isleworth in Orlando, which is a who’s-who of college golf—probably the strongest field in college golf—and, of course, Isleworth is one of the best courses in the south. We finish up the fall at Cashiers in North Carolina, which is always a fun event. Our spring schedule looks very similar to last year’s, except that we get to play an event in Memphis, which gives people that want to come see us play another opportunity to do so without being a plane ride away. n The Commodore men will host the 2011 Mason Rudolph Championships on the final weekend of September while Head Coach Greg Allen’s women’s team hosts the 2011 Mason Rudolph Fall Preview.

Sept. 23-25 Vanderbilt Legends Club

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JOHN RUSSELL

For a women’s preview from Head Coach Greg Allen, visit vucommodores.com/nation 17

Baseball reloads after record draft

F

resh off the school’s first-ever appearance in the College World Series and following a summer that saw 11 of 12 drafted student-athletes sign contracts with Major League Baseball clubs, Head Coach Tim Corbin announced a 13-man freshman class that has enrolled at Vanderbilt to play baseball beginning this spring.

The group is headlined by left-hander Tyler Beede, who made news on the Aug. 15 deadline by being the only first-round pick (21st overall to Toronto) not to sign a professional contract.

Beede turned down a reported seven-figure signing bonus to study and play at Vanderbilt for at least the next three years.

The class features four Tennessee natives, including Knoxville’s Philip Pfeifer (44th round, Texas). Northeasterners Johnny Norwood (11th round, Toronto) and Adam Ravenelle (44th round, New York Yankees) also turned down professional deals in favor of VU. For Corbin, preparing for a major league career at Vanderbilt compares favorably to jumping straight to the pro ranks.

“When it’s all said and done, no amount of money can replace the college experience and the value of a Vanderbilt degree,” Corbin said. “Our staff feels very confident in providing this opportunity to these young men.”

Corbin’s comments on all 13 newcomers can be found here, along with headshots from their first week of school.

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WILL COOPER INF/OF • HIXSON “Will was one of the most athletic players in the Southeast. After impressing our staff at one of our camps, he really excelled at the East Coast Professional Showcase. His sound swing, power potential, above average speed and athleticism should enable him to develop into a successful player.”

CHRIS HARVEY C • NORRISTOWN, PA. “Chris is one the most advanced catching prospects in the country. His physical frame will remind fans of former backstop Curt Casali. Chris has big-time power from the right side and a strong arm. He chose to forgo his senior year of high school in order to challenge for a starting role this spring.”

TYLER BEEDE

BRIAN MILLER

LHP • AUBURN, MASS.

RHP • FRANKLIN

“Tyler was one of the most sought-after major league prospects this past year. We have known him for quite sometime as he was part of our camps since his freshman year in high school. He is a very skilled pitcher who has an advanced foundation for pitching and should be very impactful to our rotation early in the process.”

“Brian was one of the most accomplished pitchers in the Southeast. He is a highly skilled pitcher who throws from multiple arm slots. He was extremely successful in his high school career and was named Midstate player of the year. We love his athleticism, competitiveness and his unique pitching style.”

CONNOR CASTELLANO

JARED MILLER

INF • SHREVEPORT, LA.

LHP • AVON, IND.

“Connor is one of the nation’s most gifted left-handed hitting infielders. We identified him in our summer camp and were fortunate to get him out of Louisiana. His swing is capable of generating loft and backspin, and his advanced approach to hitting should enable him to challenge for a starting infield role early in his career.”

“Jared was one of the top prospects in Indiana and a highly sought-after recruit.

He is a physical left-handed pitcher with a sharp breaking ball and a high 80s fastball. Much like the rest of the pitchers in this class, he is an athletic, multi-sport athlete. Jared has tremendous room to grow and develop in our program.”

VICENTE CONDE

JOHNNY NORWOOD

INF • OVIEDO, FLA.

OF • PEAPACK, N.J.

“Vince picked Vanderbilt over many southeast schools. He is a very strong right-hander that hit 12 home runs in his senior season. Vince also is very versatile and capable of playing shortstop, third base or second base. His glove along with his advanced hitting tools will allow him to compete for playing time.”

“John is a super athletic outfielder from Seton Hall Prep (same high school as former pitcher Nick Christiani). He runs extremely well, has a strong arm and has become a very good hitter. John will challenge for playing time in the outfield this spring and will develop into a future everyday starter.”

SEPTEMBER 2011

PHILIP PFEIFER LHP • KNOXVILLE “Phillip was one of the most accomplished pitchers in the entire country.

He is Tennessee high school baseball’s all-time leader in career wins, with 46, and winner of four consecutive state championships. His bulldog mound presence and pitching skill should allow him to compete immediately.”

ADAM RAVENELLE RHP • SUDBURY, MASS. “Adam was a highly sought after recruit who chose Vanderbilt over many east coast and ACC schools. In his senior season, Adam led Lincoln Sudbury to a state championship. He has tremendous athletic ability and very high ceiling on the mound which should help him earn innings this year.”

DREW VERHAGEN RHP • ROCKWALL, TEXAS. “Drew was one of the most talented junior college pitchers in the country last year.

He was a part of the 2010 Oklahoma CWS team before helping lead Navarro College to the JC National Championship.

Drew will remind many of our fans of Jack Armstrong with his size, hard fastball and advanced secondary pitches.”

ZANDER WEIL INF • MURFREESBORO “Zander is a big physical right handed hitter from Blackman High School (same high school as David Price). He is another player who we identified in our camp. He has a chance to be a very powerful hitter and sound defensive player at first base.

He plays the game with very good energy and intensity.”

NEVIN WILSON LHP • SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. “We were very fortunate to sign Nevin late in the recruiting process. He is an accomplished left-handed pitching prospect who was a 44th round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies this spring. Nevin has a loose, quick arm and a hard spinning breaking ball that should allow him to compete for innings this spring.”

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At the corner of Jess Neely Drive and Memory Lane: The above picture from the Vanderbilt Athletics archives shows Coach Elliott Jones (right foreground) with one of VU’s first football teams in 1892. The image was taken on Currey Field, and the building in the background is Old Main, which was rebuilt as Kirkland Hall after a 1905 fire.

Congratulations to the

Vanderbilt Athletics

HALL

OF

FAME

Class of 2011

Lamar Alexander Track & Field Tyler Griffin Soccer Carl Hinkle Football John Ingram Lifetime Achievement Peter Lamb Tennis David Latimer Cross Country Scotti Madison Baseball Will Perdue Basketball Sheri Sam Basketball

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2011-12 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE November 7 (Mon.)

XAVIER (La.) exhibition

NASHVILLE

11 (Fri.)

OREGON

NASHVILLE

TBA TBA

13 (Sun.)

CLEVELAND STATE %

NASHVILLE

TBA

15 (Tues.)

BUCKNELL %

NASHVILLE

TBA

19 (Sat.)

vs. North Carolina State $

East Rutherford, N.J.

ESPN3

21 (Mon.)

vs. Texas/Oregon State $

East Rutherford, N.J.

ESPN3

25 (Fri.)

MONMOUTH (N.J.)

NASHVILLE

TBA

28 (Mon.)

XAVIER

NASHVILLE

TBA

5:30 p.m.

December 2 (Fri.)

at Louisville

Louisville, Ky.

7 (Wed.)

at Davidson

Davidson, N.C.

ESPN

7:30 p.m.

17 (Sat.)

INDIANA STATE NASHVILLE

TBA

19 (Mon.)

LONGWOOD

NASHVILLE

TBA

TBA

21 (Wed.)

LAFAYETTE

NASHVILLE

TBA

29 (Thurs.)

at Marquette

Milwaukee, Wis.

TBA

January 2 (Mon.)

MIAMI (Ohio)

NASHVILLE

7 (Sat.)

AUBURN *

NASHVILLE

SEC

TBA

10 (Tues.)

at South Carolina *

Columbia, S.C.

ESPNU

8 p.m.

14 (Sat.)

GEORGIA *

NASHVILLE

SEC

3 p.m.

19 (Thurs.)

at Alabama *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

ESPN/2

6 p.m.

21 (Sat.)

MISSISSIPPI STATE *

NASHVILLE

ESPN/2

6 p.m.

ESPNU

6 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

24 (Tues.)

TENNESSEE *

NASHVILLE

28 (Sat.)

MTSU

NASHVILLE

31 (Tues.)

at Arkansas *

Fayetteville, Ark.

ESPN

8 p.m.

4 (Sat.)

at Florida *

Gainesville, Fla.

CBS

Noon

8 (Wed.)

LSU *

NASHVILLE

CSS

8 p.m.

11 (Sat.)

KENTUCKY *

NASHVILLE

ESPN

8 p.m.

16 (Thurs.)

at Ole Miss *

Oxford, Miss.

ESPN/2

8 p.m.

19 (Sun.)

at Georgia *

Athens, Ga.

FSN

TBA

ESPN

TBA

ESPN’s College GameDay Driven By State Farm will invade the SEC’s most historic facility for the first time ever when Vanderbilt plays host to Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. Shows originating from Memorial Gym are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT with host Rece Davis joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Bob Knight. The Commodores and Wildcats will tip off at 8 p.m.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of ESPN College GameDay,” said Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings. “Memorial Gym should be a terrific venue to have GameDay. Our players and coaching staff are definitely looking forward to it, and I know our fans will enjoy it and represent us well. Having GameDay is a tribute to what our players have accomplished and the excitement they have generated about our program.”

ESPN GameDay’s first foray into Nashville for basketball is the only SEC appearance on the franchise’s schedule this season.

February

22 (Wed.)

SOUTH CAROLINA *

NASHVILLE

SEC

7 p.m.

25 (Sat.)

at Kentucky *

Lexington, Ky.

CBS

11 a.m.

28 (Tues.)

FLORIDA *

NASHVILLE

ESPN

8 p.m.

at Tennessee *

Knoxville

ESPN/2

3 p.m.

WEIDLEY/CHINAVOL.NET

Noon

March 3 (Sat.)

SEC Tournament 8 (Thurs.)

SEC First Round

New Orleans, La.

SEC

TBA

9 (Fri.)

SEC Quarterfinals

New Orleans, La.

SEC

TBA

10 (Sat.)

SEC Semifinals

New Orleans, La.

ABC

TBA

11 (Sun.)

SEC Championship

New Orleans, La.

ABC

TBA

All game times are central (CT) and subject to change HOME GAMES played in Memorial Gymnasium % denotes TicketCity Legends Classic Preliminary Rounds $ denotes TicketCity Legends Classic Final Rounds * denotes Southeastern Conference game

VUCOMMODORES.COM vucommodores.com

Rising junior John Jenkins represented his country this summer in the 2011 Men’s World University Games in China, pacing Team USA to a 7-1 record with an squadbest 13.5 points per game average.

The Hendersonville native was one of 12 American student-athletes chosen by Head Coach Matt Painter (Purdue) and his staff to play in the 11-day event. Team USA went 5-0 in preliminary round games, winning by an average of 40.8 points per game, before being defeated in the quarterfinals by Lithuania. The Americans regrouped and beat Romania and Germany to take fifth place in the international tournament.

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JOHN RUSSELL / VU PHOTOGRAPHY

LAST SHOTS VUCOMMODORES.COM

I

n order to be “all in,” the Class of 2015 first had to move in to their new living quarters at the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Freshman football players moved in on Wednesday, Aug. 3, just two days before the start of preseason camp.

Vanderbilt’s official freshman move-in day was Saturday, Aug. 20—five days before the beginning of fall classes.

Among the many volunteers from across campus who welcomed the new crop of freshmen was Head Coach James Franklin (pictured at top). According to Franklin: “We’re going to need their help during the season; they need our help right now, so we’re here to help them.”

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