Student-Athlete Handbook

Todd Turner Athletics Director

Dear Vanderbilt Student-Athletes,

My how the landscape has changed! For those of you who have been here for three years or more, you know the difference. For our newcomers, it simply looks and feels the way that it should if you are going to compete with success at a very high level. In the last three years, over $40 million in athletics facility improvements have been completed on our campus. Every program has benefited. Our commitment to your success has never been more evident. Who would have ever thought that Vanderbilt would have some of the finest training and competition facilities in the nation?

The list of improvements is impressive. The new football practice complex, including a new weight room, was completed in July. The new soccer and lacrosse stadium will be finished before our first soccer game in late August. The new track is awaiting final surfacing and will be ready to go by the end of September. What a difference! And to think, just last year we dedicated a new baseball stadium and major addition to Memorial Gym. Wow!

What does this mean for you, our student-athletes? For sure, it demonstrates Vanderbilt’s commitment to excellence. Already, we’ve seen the results of this commitment. Five of our teams advanced to post-season play last year, the most in any year in Vanderbilt sports history. These improvements are visible symbols that the athletics program is important to our University. We value your special talent and expect your experiences as student-athletes to be positive.

I hope you can feel the rising expectations in the air. I have personally heard athletes and coaches alike talking positively about winning championships. We are no longer simply participants. We are competitors with championships on our minds. Who will be the first to win a national championship at Vanderbilt? I truly believe those athletes are here today. The race is on!

Todd Turner
Director of Athletics
Vanderbilt University

Lauren Whitt SAAB President

My Fellow Commodores,

Welcome! I hope everyone had a great summer and is excited to be returning for a promising year, both in the classroom and in the playing arena. There is a spark of exhilaration around the new football, soccer, and track facilities located just behind McGugin that have sprung up over the summer months. I know everyone is ready to get your season underway.

Vanderbilt has a prestigious reputation academically and athletically that we need to continue to uphold this year. As student-athletes it is our role to strive for success in the classroom, within our teams, and in the Nashville community. In order to help you to be successful, the Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) is your best avenue for improvement and change. Each team has, or can have, two SAAB representatives, so if there is anything you need or would like to see improved, notify your team representative or myself, and we will do our best to help. Also, our athletic department staff is experienced and willing to help, so do not be afraid to seek advice or guidance from them. SAAB is here to serve as the liaison between student-athletes and athletic staff, and I encourage you to utilize us.

Let us go forward into this year with high hopes, deep expectations, and plans for success. I challenge you to support and encourage fellow Vanderbilt athletes by attending their competitions and getting to know all student-athletes better. It is time for us to join together as a team! This will be an amazing year, and I hope you are ready for an adventure.

Good luck,

Lauren Whitt
SAAB President
lauren.a.whitt@vanderbilt.edu