Vanderbilt Fan Day Becomes Dore Jam; More Family Activities at Free August 11 Event 7/23/02

Several Vanderbilt athletic programs will join forces with the Commodore football team Sunday, August 11 for Dore Jam, a two-hour free event on campus packed with fun activities for the entire family.

Numerous new activities, including interactive contests, inflatable games and skill contests have been added as the athletic department redesigns the annual event formerly known as Fan Day.

“It’s going to be bigger and better than previously, with more of a showcase on the total Commodore athletic program than in past years,” said Chris Wyrick, Commodore Assistant AD for /Major Gifts. “We really wanted to reach out ot the community and do a key event free of charge that would include everyone.”

The event, scheduled for 4-6 p.m., also features a new location. The activities will be held at the newly renovated McGugin football practice fields and Natchez Trace Drive, which will be closed during the afternoon hours between Jess Neely Drive and Blakemore Avenue.

While other activities are scheduled, the event offers Vanderbilt fans an opportunity to meet Football Head Coach Bobby Johnson and his staff, and get autographs from 2002 Commodore players. The team’s newly designed Nike uniforms will be unveiled by senior captains Jamie Byrum, Rushen Jones and Dan Stricker.

For the first time, the event also features complimentary hot dogs, popcorn and sodas, and live entertainment. An assortment of inflatable kids attractions - all free to youngsters - is planned on Natchez Trace. Representatives of several other Commodore sports, including baseball, lacrosse, men’s and women’s golf, and tennis, are scheduled to participate with interactive skill contests.

The first 2,000 adults attending Dore Jam also will receive two complimentary tickets to the Commodores’ home opener versus Furman scheduled for September 7. The opener pits Vanderbilt against the squad Johnson coached for eight years.

A dedication of the McGugin practice complex - a two-field renovation featuring the diversity of an AstroPlay synthetic surface and natural grass surface - also will take place. The field removations are nearing completion.