Student-Athlete Handbook

COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Department of Athletics’ community outreach activities are farreaching and encompass numerous areas both within the Vanderbilt community and the greater Nashville community. We have joined with the Vanderbilt Partnership House, the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, and our newest partner, Children’s Hospital. Below is a brief description of the department’s community outreach activities.

Ronald McDonald House
On Sunday afternoons throughout the academic year, Vanderbilt student athletes
purchase food and prepare meals for the guests at the Ronald McDonald House, a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children who are undergoing inpatient or outpatient medical treatment at a Nashville area hospital.

Project PLAY
(Partnering the Lives of Athletes and Youth)
Student-athletes visit the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital at designated times to support and comfort patients as they go through their medical outpatient treatment.

Kids Zone
Before each home football game, Vanderbilt student-athletes host community
service groups and organizations (e.g., Youth Villages and Backfield in
Motion). The organizations target kids up to the age of 13. The kids are given the
opportunity to interact with Vanderbilt student-athletes who stress the importance of staying in school and staying away from drugs and alcohol.

Read with Me
Throughout the academic year, student-athletes visit a variety of elementary
schools to read books to the children and emphasize the importance of reading.

Speakers Bureau
Public speaking opportunities vary based on request. Student-athletes and athletics staff are requested to speak at various elementary schools, churches, and sporting events throughout the year.

Student-Athlete Christmas Party
Each year, Vanderbilt student-athletes host a Christmas party for underprivileged
children. They purchase and supply toys to area youth who might not otherwise experience Christmas festivities and gifts.

Sports Clinics
Each year student-athletes host a spring sports clinic for almost 300 elementary school children. Each athletic team sets up a station demonstrating and teaching the skills needed to compete in Division I.

Other Opportunities
Our student-athletes also have the opportunity to volunteer individually with other
well-established community service organizations such as Edgehill Community
Center, Buddies of Nashville, Nashville Union Mission, Boys and Girls Club, Ross
Elementary, and Word Up.