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What specifically are you doing with NIL to be on a more level playing field with the rest of the SEC?
NIL is changing the landscape of college athletics.
“I wouldn’t say it came out of the blue… “We kind of knew it was coming.”
They’re thoughtful about how they attack it.
Being in Nashville they think their students have great opportunities to monetize their NIL and several are doing that now.
Resources become a part of the broader commitment
It comes up in recruiting—that’s where you have to be prepared
There’s no federal solution; there are NCAA minimum guidelines but each state operates with its own set of rules
There will be more info coming
They’ve been proactive
They think it’ll be an advantage
Eventually things will calibrate and smooth out; “initially there is an uproar and a cadence and things even out.”
Is that led by conferences or schools? Is that federal? She doesn’t know but playing by the same set of rules is a good thing.
On the ethics of NIL and poaching:
In general, people don’t want NIL to equal pay for play
They want to preserve amateurism
It shouldn’t undermine academics
It has to come back to why people get into this in the first place
How could it be an advantage to Vanderbilt?
They have access to resources
They have a strong brand
NIL has been a long time coming; people are able to benefit from a free market now
They don’t have to fundamentally change all they do because the brand is still attractive; people just now have access to things they didn’t before.
There is great opportunity here; it’s a holistic experience and NIL is one piece of that.
“Your highest earning potential is not here… this puts you on a trajectory (later)… you should’t peak at Vanderbilt. … The ceiling is not here.”- referenced this as something Clark Lea said about it.
Transfer admission has not been an easy thing, especially for juniors and seniors; is there anything the school is doing to ease that process?
Undergraduates have to finish 60 hours here to get a Vandy degree; that affects things for some
Someone who’s been an undergrad somewhere else for three years; that may not be attractive for them.
It’s easier to take a transfer if they’re younger
It’s very specific to a degree
Their academic profile is also important; “it’s not a cookie cutter approach.”
Some sports have benefitted from grad transfers
Each coach takes a different approach; some may use it to address gaps and others may not, and sometimes you just need older kids
Has anything changed recently with taking transfers?
They don’t want there to be a delay and they’ve worked at that; “it’s not a current concern.”
Timing does matter; if you’re late in the process that can be a challenge.
Kids make decisions quickly sometimes and they have to make quick decisions
Their coaches work hard to create a family environment and so you have to be thoughtful rather than just transactional
So coaches are intentional about who they bring into the space
What are her opinions on a 16-team league and scheduling and things like that?
All she cares about is growing her program.
Does expansion help Vandy?
Anything that elevates Vanderbilt’s brand is helpful and this does.
They focus on what they can control which is being the best Vanderbilt
They’re preparing for expansion in 2025 (when asked about a timeline)
What will renovations to Hawkins Field look like and will that include a deck over the infield?
They talked about it in a Vandy United press release
They have started the design process with Populous; coach Corbin is part of that
Said they should be able to show the design
Said they’ll be able to talk about that soon; there are a number of designs and she doesn’t want to speak prematurely
Asked about Vandy United
Said donor support has been tremendous
Asked about construction start for football
Said it’s already started; a lot of non-visible stuff has happened
“If you’re paying close attention you can see differences in North end zone… but you’l really see it after last game.”
2023 will be a transition year, there will be seats missing.
North end zone complete in spring of 2024; they’ll add seats there
They’ll take out 10,000 seats as part of the South end zone so they’ll be about 30,000 seats then plus temporary accommodations
They may work out of portables for a while
“Pardon our mess.”
Capacity will be a little less than now but she doesn’t know the final number
McGugin
It will double its current size
Will push out to the street more
Will be 3 or 4 stories; it’s 2 now
“It will look fundamentally different… the exterior will look totally different.”
Health and well-being resources
They’ll like the design and there will be better efficiency in terms of moving through the space
The design is still underway but far down the line
On working out of portables
Her No. 1 priority is to minimize disruption to students; they’re still competing with the same expectations during that time
What’s the future of the Legends Club
“It’s the current and future home of Vanderbilt golf.”
Asked about was the school forced to sell it if it reaches a certain value and she said ‘no.’”
They have no plans to sell
Press box renovations
Will be info coming out today in a press release
There will be suites
They’ve tried to be intentional with each season and facility; they want supporters to come back in the space and see investment
“We’re not waiting on big products to show process.”
Wanted to do things that show investment
Supply chain has impacted things and so now it’s two phases
Phase One will be completed before football season
Has she been part of Nashville’s WNBA pursuits?
She’s not been a part of formal discussions
She’s 100% in favor of the rise of Nashville sports; if that’s on the table then she’ll support that.
What specifically are you doing with NIL to be on a more level playing field with the rest of the SEC?
NIL is changing the landscape of college athletics.
“I wouldn’t say it came out of the blue… “We kind of knew it was coming.”
They’re thoughtful about how they attack it.
Being in Nashville they think their students have great opportunities to monetize their NIL and several are doing that now.
Resources become a part of the broader commitment
It comes up in recruiting—that’s where you have to be prepared
There’s no federal solution; there are NCAA minimum guidelines but each state operates with its own set of rules
There will be more info coming
They’ve been proactive
They think it’ll be an advantage
Eventually things will calibrate and smooth out; “initially there is an uproar and a cadence and things even out.”
Is that led by conferences or schools? Is that federal? She doesn’t know but playing by the same set of rules is a good thing.
On the ethics of NIL and poaching:
In general, people don’t want NIL to equal pay for play
They want to preserve amateurism
It shouldn’t undermine academics
It has to come back to why people get into this in the first place
How could it be an advantage to Vanderbilt?
They have access to resources
They have a strong brand
NIL has been a long time coming; people are able to benefit from a free market now
They don’t have to fundamentally change all they do because the brand is still attractive; people just now have access to things they didn’t before.
There is great opportunity here; it’s a holistic experience and NIL is one piece of that.
“Your highest earning potential is not here… this puts you on a trajectory (later)… you should’t peak at Vanderbilt. … The ceiling is not here.”- referenced this as something Clark Lea said about it.
Transfer admission has not been an easy thing, especially for juniors and seniors; is there anything the school is doing to ease that process?
Undergraduates have to finish 60 hours here to get a Vandy degree; that affects things for some
Someone who’s been an undergrad somewhere else for three years; that may not be attractive for them.
It’s easier to take a transfer if they’re younger
It’s very specific to a degree
Their academic profile is also important; “it’s not a cookie cutter approach.”
Some sports have benefitted from grad transfers
Each coach takes a different approach; some may use it to address gaps and others may not, and sometimes you just need older kids
Has anything changed recently with taking transfers?
They don’t want there to be a delay and they’ve worked at that; “it’s not a current concern.”
Timing does matter; if you’re late in the process that can be a challenge.
Kids make decisions quickly sometimes and they have to make quick decisions
Their coaches work hard to create a family environment and so you have to be thoughtful rather than just transactional
So coaches are intentional about who they bring into the space
What are her opinions on a 16-team league and scheduling and things like that?
All she cares about is growing her program.
Does expansion help Vandy?
Anything that elevates Vanderbilt’s brand is helpful and this does.
They focus on what they can control which is being the best Vanderbilt
They’re preparing for expansion in 2025 (when asked about a timeline)
What will renovations to Hawkins Field look like and will that include a deck over the infield?
They talked about it in a Vandy United press release
They have started the design process with Populous; coach Corbin is part of that
Said they should be able to show the design
Said they’ll be able to talk about that soon; there are a number of designs and she doesn’t want to speak prematurely
Asked about Vandy United
Said donor support has been tremendous
Asked about construction start for football
Said it’s already started; a lot of non-visible stuff has happened
“If you’re paying close attention you can see differences in North end zone… but you’l really see it after last game.”
2023 will be a transition year, there will be seats missing.
North end zone complete in spring of 2024; they’ll add seats there
They’ll take out 10,000 seats as part of the South end zone so they’ll be about 30,000 seats then plus temporary accommodations
They may work out of portables for a while
“Pardon our mess.”
Capacity will be a little less than now but she doesn’t know the final number
McGugin
It will double its current size
Will push out to the street more
Will be 3 or 4 stories; it’s 2 now
“It will look fundamentally different… the exterior will look totally different.”
Health and well-being resources
They’ll like the design and there will be better efficiency in terms of moving through the space
The design is still underway but far down the line
On working out of portables
Her No. 1 priority is to minimize disruption to students; they’re still competing with the same expectations during that time
What’s the future of the Legends Club
“It’s the current and future home of Vanderbilt golf.”
Asked about was the school forced to sell it if it reaches a certain value and she said ‘no.’”
They have no plans to sell
Press box renovations
Will be info coming out today in a press release
There will be suites
They’ve tried to be intentional with each season and facility; they want supporters to come back in the space and see investment
“We’re not waiting on big products to show process.”
Wanted to do things that show investment
Supply chain has impacted things and so now it’s two phases
Phase One will be completed before football season
Has she been part of Nashville’s WNBA pursuits?
She’s not been a part of formal discussions
She’s 100% in favor of the rise of Nashville sports; if that’s on the table then she’ll support that.
