Anonymous baseball alumnus’ matching pledge challenges fellow alumni to lead the way in reimagination of Vanderbilt baseball home
On Tuesday, September 12, Vanderbilt University announced an opportunity for former Vanderbilt baseball student-athletes to take the lead in shaping the future of Hawkins Field. An anonymous Vandy baseball alumnus and his alumna spouse will match all qualifying gifts and pledges by other baseball alumni, up to $10 million.
With this significant lead gift, the donors hope to challenge baseball alumni and inspire all supporters to join them in ushering in the next era for the iconic home of the two-time national champions.
“I’m tremendously grateful to these alumni for their generous lead gift,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “Vandy United and the Dare to Grow campaign are rooted in the idea that by coming together, we multiply our individual potential. Every season, Coach Corbin and the VandyBoys embody this simple truth in pursuit of excellence—such as this past season’s SEC Tournament championship. It’s only fitting that we begin our ambitious Hawkins Field initiative with Vanderbilt baseball alumni from across the years coming together to lead the way and build an even brighter future.”
A cornerstone of the Vandy United campaign’s Dare to Grow phase, this matching pledge launches the ambitious renovations and enhancements planned for Hawkins Field.
“I applaud our alumni for leading the way in transforming Hawkins Field,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “Vanderbilt is committed to the lifelong realization of human potential through a bold collaborative model. Across the Dare to Grow campaign, alumni are embracing our cooperative spirit and supporting the schools, programs and teams that helped them grow. The uncommon loyalty of our baseball alumni is further proof that the VandyBoys are a blueprint for what is possible at Vanderbilt and for collegiate athletics in the 21st century.”
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