On May 23, 2024, Vanderbilt announced a $20 million gift to help reimagine the future of men’s and women’s basketball.
An anonymous alumnus will match qualifying gifts and pledges from alumni, up to $20 million, to support the basketball operations center and practice facility. One of Vandy United’s original cornerstone initiatives, the new basketball facility will open later this fall.
“I’m grateful for this generous gift supporting a best-in-class facility that has gone from the drawing board to groundbreaking to soon opening its doors to our student-athletes,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “Vandy United and the Dare to Grow campaign are about what we can accomplish, together. Games and seasons end, but our bonds as Vanderbilt alumni are lifelong. Our student-athletes play for each other because they are part of a larger community where people challenge and support each other every day. By also bringing together former student-athletes and alumni through a matching gift to support Vandy United, this far-reaching pledge embodies teamwork in action.”
As part of Vandy United’s Dare to Grow phase, the donor will match select gifts to all Vandy United initiatives in a new giving opportunity for former student-athletes and select alumni to support future generations of Commodores. This matching gift initiative is extended to all former Vanderbilt student-athletes and any alumni celebrating a special Reunion in 2024. This year, the university recognizes the classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
“We are deeply thankful for the generosity of our anonymous donor and for this special opportunity for other alumni to support our vision for the future of Vanderbilt Athletics,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “College athletics have the unique and profound potential to bring communities together and inspire lifelong learning and growth. Whether Commodores are competing in the SEC, collaborating in our classrooms and labs or leading in the boardrooms of tomorrow, we know we create more impact and realize exponentially more of our potential by working together.”
A hub of the Frist Athletics Village, the basketball operations center and practice facility is adjacent to the north end zone of FirstBank Stadium with convenient access to historic Memorial Gym. The new building contains two practice gyms encompassing more than 90,000 square feet, dedicated student-athlete locker rooms and lounges and an industry-leading weight room and athletic training space.
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