Friday, July 30, 2010

Video: Stadium steps before dawn

Vanderbilt concluded their offseason conditioning preparations Friday under the direction of John Sisk and his strength assistants. Watch the video below to see what your Commodores were doing while you were asleep.

(click to enlarge video)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Caldwell on Chattanooga, Nashville Radio Stations Thursday

by leathers

Vanderbilt fans in Chattanooga and Nashville can hear Head Coach Robbie Caldwell talk about his recent promotion and the upcoming Commodore football season in separate radio interviews scheduled Thursday (July 29) in both cities.

Caldwell, named to replace Bobby Johnson on July 14, will appear at Chattanooga's WDOD (1310-AM)with midday host Chris Goforth starting at 12:15 p.m., CT. The AM sports talk station airs Commodore football games to the Chattanooga area.

Later Thursday, Caldwell will appear with 104.5 The Zone co-hosts George Plaster and Willy Daunic on location at Greer Stadium, home of the Nashville Sounds AAA baseball franchise. Caldwell's appearance on 104.5's "Sports Zone Show" starts at 5 p.m., CT.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Alex drops quarterfinal match at North and South Amateur


By A. Boggs

Junior-to-be Marina Alex dropped her quarterfinal match at the 108th North and South Amateur Championship 1-down to Isabelle Lendl, a golfer at the University of Florida.

Alex was two-up after nine holes, but Lendl birdied two out of her next four holes to move 1-up. Lendl then held on to come away with the win.

Marina's next tournament will be the U.S. Amateur in Charlotte, N.C., August 9-15.

Chopper moves air conditioner on McGugin Center roof

By Ryan Schulz

As anyone who has driven down Jess Neely Drive since April already knows, Vanderbilt’s McGugin Center is in the midst of a major renovation to the football offices and academic center. With the calendar about to turn to August, the renovations are nearing completion.

Around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, construction crews took another step toward completing the project when they brought in a helicopter to relocate a five-ton air conditioning unit from one side of the roof to another.

Lacey Ballard from our video staff captured the footage of the move.

Caldwell is talk of SEC Media Day

By Ryan Schulz

Wednesday night, Vanderbilt Interim Head Coach Robbie Caldwell was so unrecognizable among the public in Birmingham that he even received a tip from a restaurant patron when he held the door for them. After Caldwell's performance at Media Day on Thursday, his days of being mistaken for a doorman are likely over - at least by anyone who follows SEC football.

Making his debut in front of the national media, Caldwell left every room and hallway at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., buzzing about the newly-minted coach of the Commodores. Showcasing his sense of humor and humility, Caldwell stole the show on Thursday — even receiving an ovation following his appearance in front of the print media.

Caldwell's memorable showing at SEC Media Day has led to an influx of media coverage from media outlets throughout the country. Here are a few of the many articles about Caldwell and the Commodores at SEC Media Day on Thursday.

Tennessean: Vanderbilt Coach lights up SEC media with humor
Tennessean: Caldwell will benefit from sense of humor
Tennessean: SEC Media Days notebook
City Paper: Caldwell gets laughs at SEC Media Day
CBS Sports: Caldwell has winning personality
USA Today: Caldwell talks turkey
Sporting News: Caldwell brings levity to SEC
ESPN: Caldwell’s comedy show
ESPN: ESPN interviews Warren Norman
AP: Vandy’s Caldwell entertains
Fan House: Robbie Caldwell, the SEC's Rudy
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Coach revels in unexpected opportunity
Birmingham News: Laughter is best medicine
Birmingham News: Caldwell makes impressive debut
Birmingham News: Caldwell arrives in Hoover armed with a funny bone
Mobile Press-Register: Caldwell wins press conference
Huntsville Times: Caldwell unknown but optimistic
Montgomery Advertiser: Vanderbilt coach steals show
Montgomery Advertiser: Caldwell a bright spot of event
The State (South Carolina): Caldwell is one of a kind
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Caldwell takes center stage
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Vandy players vow to fight against odds
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Marve dresses for success
Jackson Sun: Caldwell endears himself to SEC Media
Jackson Sun: Vandy off to good start
Shelbyville Times-Gazette: Caldwell delights
Times Daily: Caldwell’s one-liners break the ice
Lexington Herald-Leader: SEC Media Days has quote machine in Caldwell
Louisville Courier-Journal: Caldwell steals the show
Gadsden (Ala.) Times: Caldwell discusses turkey
St. Petersburg Times: Caldwell a hit
Florida Times-UnionCaldwell keeps them laughing
Gainesville Sun: Caldwell leaves media in stitches
Orlando Sentinel: Caldwell takes media day by storm
Florida Today (Brevard, Fla.): Caldwell a hit with news media
Pensacola News Journal: Country fried comedy comes to SEC
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Caldwell regales media with humor
Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald: Caldwell good for plenty of grins
Baton Rouge AdvocateInterim Vanderbilt coach keeps it light
New Orleans Times Picayune: Caldwell wraps up SEC Media Day 2
Monroe News Star: Caldwell takes the stage
Athens Banner-Herald: Caldwell a charmer in first appearance
Dothan (Ala.) Eagle: New Vandy coach life of the party
WTVM Columbus, Ga.: Caldwell thrilled with opportunity
LSU Daily Reveille: Caldwell’s enthusiasm lights up media days

Thursday, July 22, 2010

SEC Media Day


By Weinman --

We're on our way back from SEC Media Day in Birmingham. A great time was had by Coach Robbie Caldwell, linebackers Chris Marve and John Stokes, and running back Warren Norman -- all first-timers in this circus who represented the university with pure class.

We'll have plenty of content coming later, but for now you can whet your appetite on the SEC's Media Day page: http://www.secsports.com/sport_stats/football/mediaday/index.html -- they currently have quotes up and should b adding video shortly. More soon.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Greenstone breaks school record in hang clean

by Ryan Schulz

As a sequel to the workout video posted this morning of Chris Marve, Larry Smith, Sean Richardson and Warren Norman working out, here is a video from this afternoon's offseason workout where defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone set a new school record in the hang clean.

Greenstone topped his own school record of 405 lbs. in the lift by cleaning 410 lbs. this afternoon.

Marina Alex advances to second round of 108th North and South Women's Amateur


By A. Boggs

Rising junior and first team All-American Marina Alex won her first round match at the 108th North & South Women's Amateur in Pinehurst, N.C., 5-and-4 over Chihiro Ikeda of the Phillipines. Alex, the number four seed at the prestigious match play event, will take on Austin Ernst of Seneca, S.C., an LSU signee.

Alex had five birdies in her round today, including three out of her last five holes. The Wayne, N.J., native will tee off at 8:02 Eastern on Thursday.

Commodore signee Rene Sobolewski of Buffalo, N.Y., who qualified for match play on Tuesday in an 18-hole qualifier, dropped her first-round match to number three seed Lindy Duncan on Wednesday. Sobolewski will enroll at Vanderbilt in August.

For a look at the entire 64-person bracket, click here.

Vanderbilt football offseason training

By Ryan Schulz

With the 2010 football season on the horizon, members of Vanderbilt's football team have spent countless hours training in the weight room. John Sisk, Vanderbilt's director of speed, strength and conditioning recently shared this video of quarterback Larry Smith, safety Sean Richardson, linebacker Chris Marve and running back Warren Norman going through a boxing workout together.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

David Price meets Michelle Obama

by SID

While in Baltimore for a three-game series, David Price met first lady Michelle Obama at a youth clinic at Camden Yards today. The meeting was due to an initiative by MLB and the White House to combat child obesity.

Here is a video of David, shot by the Rays, showing her how to pitch:



And his thoughts on the clinic:

Linebacker Nate Campbell Returns to Football Team

by leathers

The Vanderbilt football roster expanded Tuesday with news that former contributor Nate Campbell is back with the team after a one-year absence.

Campbell, an outside linebacker from Hazen, Ark., has been readmitted to the university and is eligible to play this season, his fourth in a Commodore uniform.

When the Commodores arrive for preseason camp in early August, Campbell will be one of the team's more experienced linebackers. Only returning starters Chris Marve and John Stokes have enjoyed more snaps than Campbell in the linebacker corps.

Campbell posted 16 total tackles while playing in all 25 games of the 2007-08 seasons.

Coach Caldwell on 104.5 at 1:30 today

Interim Head Coach Robbie Caldwell is scheduled to be an in-studio guest today on 104.5 the Zone's 3 Hour Lunch. Caldwell will sit in with the local sports talk show, hosted daily by Brent Dougherty, Clay Travis and Blaine Bishop, at 1:30 p.m. CT Tuesday.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Final NBA Summer League stats

By A. Boggs

Summer League play wrapped up Sunday in Las Vegas, with 2007 SEC Player of the Year Derrick Byars leading all former Vanderbilt players. Byars, who played with the Bulls, averaged 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in five games for the Bulls. A.J. Ogilvy also played for the Bulls this summer and averaged 1.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in three games.

Jermaine Beal averaged 17.8 minutes per game in four games with the Miami Heat, and averaged 5.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.

2008 SEC Player of the Year Shan Foster played in five games with the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas, and averaged 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per contest.

Coach Caldwell at Birmingham Reception Wednesday

Come out to meet the Commodores new interim Head Coach Robbie Caldwell!

SEC Football Media Days Cocktail Reception
with Coach Robbie Caldwell


Wednesday, July 21
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

SEC Roy Kramer Building
(SEC office)
2201 Richard Arrington Boulevard North

Birmingham, AL 35203

205.458.3000

Join Coach Caldwell and the Vanderbilt Birmingham Chapter for a cocktail reception in conjunction with SEC Media Days. Coach Caldwell will speak to the Chapter about the upcoming season of Commodore football and take questions from the group.

Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Cost: $20 per person

Click here to register by noon on July 19. Registration will also be available at the event.

Complimentary parking is available in the garage located at the
corner of 9th Avenue North and Richard Arrington Boulevard.
Please bring your ticket for validation when you sign in.

Questions? For more information, contact Debbie Corum, A&S '76.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Video: MBB summer weightlifting session

by A. Boggs

Most of the returning basketball players and two of the incoming freshmen participated in a weightlifting session at the McGugin Center weigh room on Monday, and we were there to catch it on video. Men's basketball strength coach Mark Davis put the guys through a gauntlet of movements, including bench press, power cleans, and push presses.

Davis puts the crew through strenuous workouts four days a week, and the results can be seen in the video.

Just a reminder, Vanderbilt basketball season tickets go on sale Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT on vucommodores.com and at the McGugin Center ticket office Friday morning.

(enlarge video)

Around the Web - Bobby Johnson retires

by Barca Blog
 

VUcommodores.com News

Bobby Johnson retires as Head Coach

Williamson Column: Bobby Johnson counted

Caldwell appointed Interim Head Coach

Video: Johnson retirement press conference

Video: Players react to Johnson's retirement

Quotes: Johnson retirement press conference

National News

Tony Barnhart: Vandy, SEC lose with Johnson retiring

Stewart Mandel: Johnson did wonders for Vandy

Chris Low: Johnson leaves blueprint for Vanderbilt

Local News

Tennessean: Johnson's sudden retirement stuns team

Tennessean: VU turns to assistant Robbie Caldwell

Tennessean: Fans question Bobby Johnson's timing

Tennessean: Vanderbilt players learned quickly of decision

Tennessean: Vandy eats its own; ask Johnson

The City Paper: Johnson retires after eight seasons

The City Paper: Community stunned by Johnson's departure

WKRN: Fans react to Coach Johnson's retirement

WKRN: Johnson retirement lights up sports talk

Beal goes for 11 points in Heat Summer League win


By A. Boggs

Jermaine Beal once again logged big-time minutes for the Miami Heat Wednesday night in NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas, but unlike the game on Tuesday, his team came away with a win - a 92-83 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Beal played 21 minutes, scored 11 points, dished out three assists, and had two rebounds in the Heat win. Beal was 2-for-6 from the floor, but converted all seven of his free throws. On Tuesday, the former Commodore point guard scored four points in 26 minutes of action in a loss to Golden State.

Derrick Byars logged nine minutes for the Bulls in a 79-50 win over the Clippers, but did not score. A.J. Ogilvy did not play in the game.

Newly minted Vanderbilt Hall of Fame member Shan Foster returns to the floor tonight against the Washington Wizards in Summer League action. The game tips at 8 p.m. Pacific time.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Price delivers at All-Star Game

by Barca Blog

David Price made the most of his first Major League All-Star appearance Tuesday night, even if pregame jitters tried to get in the way.

"I felt like I just had Thanksgiving dinner and was trying to pitch," said Price, who started the game for the American League. "It was fun. I was out there sweating. I couldn't really feel anything, my hand was just drenched. My glove felt like it was going to fall off."

The former Commodore overcame his nerves and set the tone early by tossing two scoreless innings in front of 45,408 at Angel Stadium. Price threw 23 pitches (16 for strikes) and only surrendered one hit while striking out one. He was also the only player to register triple digits on the radar gun, according to Steve Henson of Yahoo! Sports.

The National League won the game, 3-1, to earn their first All-Star victory since 1996.

More articles on Price's performance:
The Tampa Tribune: Price, Rays shine at All-Star Game
The Daily News Journal: All-Star debut for Price a huge success
MLB.com: All-Star memories will linger for Rays
The City Paper: Price cruises through All-Star start

Three Commodores in action Tuesday in Summer League

By A. Boggs

Three former Commodores saw playing time in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Tuesday, as Derrick Byars and A.J. Ogilvy suited up for the Bulls, while Jermaine Beal saw his first action of the summer with the Miami Heat.

Byars started for the Bulls in a 99-71 loss to the Denver Nuggets, played nearly 20 minutes and scored six points and grabbed four rebounds. Ogilvy played eight minutes, was 1-of-2 from the floor, and scored two points.

Beal played significant minutes for the Heat Tuesday in a 72-69 loss to Golden State. The DeSoto, Texas, native, who did not play in Miami's first game of the summer, played 26 minutes and scored four points, dished out two assists, and had one steal against the Warriors. He also had a plus/minus of +7 - which means while he was on the floor, the Heat scored seven more points than the Warriors. It was the highest total for any Heat player on the day.

The Bulls are back in action tonight against the Clippers at 8 p.m. pacific, and the Heat take on the Pistons at 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Photos: Hall of Fame announcement

Click here to view Steve Green's photo gallery

Video: Hall of Fame reaction

by Barca Blog

Congratulations to Vanderbilt Athletics' 2010 Hall of Fame class (view complete list). The 10 newest members will be officially inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend September 3-5.

Ann Hutcheson Price, who played tennis at Vanderbilt from 1969-1971, and David Williams, Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Athletics, were available to talk with reporters following the announcement earlier today on campus. Watch videos below:



Alex qualifies for U.S. Women's Amateur, Keith misses by one stroke


By A. Boggs

Rising junior and first team All-American Marina Alex qualified for the U.S. Amateur on Monday after registering co-medalist honors at U.S. Amateur qualifying at the Haworth Country Club in Haworth, N.J. Alex, from Wayne, N.J., shot an even-under par 71, and tied Kelly Shon of Port Washington, N.Y., for first place in the qualifier.

Alex's hometown newspaper, northjersey.com, chronicled her trip around the Haworth course in this article. The U.S. Amateur is slated for August 9-15 at Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina.

Anna Leigh Keith attempted to qualify for the U.S. Amateur on Tuesday at the Wanderer's Club in Wellington, Fla, but missed the cut by one stroke. Keith shot a 73.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Price named AL starter for All-Star Game

Information from MLB.com

Coming off a stellar first half, former Commodore David Price has been named as the American League All-Star team's starter in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Angel Stadium (7 p.m. CT / Fox).

At 24, Price will be the youngest pitcher to start in the Midsummer Classic since 23-year-old Dwight Gooden of the Mets earned the nod for the NL in 1988.

The young lefty is tied for the AL lead with 12 wins and has a 2.42 ERA. 

Read More

Former women's golf great Chris Brady competes on Big Break Sandals


By A. Boggs

Former women's golf standout Chris Brady is competing on the Golf Channel's Big Break reality series this year and is still alive after three rounds of cuts. Brady, who earned a conditional LPGA card in 2008, is competing at the Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas, with 10 other golfers for two professional tour exemptions.

If you're not familiar with the Big Break reality show, here's a quick synopsis from the Golf Channel's website.

The hit reality show is back and this season, eleven female golfers compete against each other for the chance at two professional Tour tournament exemptions. Despite the tropical setting, it won’t be all fun and games in paradise. The familiar skills-based challenges return to test the ladies’ abilities and the drama is heightened when the women must all live together in the same island villa.

A new episode of the show airs tonight at 8 p.m. CT on the Golf Channel.

For more information on the series and when you can catch Chris in action, click here.

NBA Summer League stats of interest

By A. Boggs

Two former Commodores, Shan Foster and Jermaine Beal, each suited up for their first NBA Summer League game over the weekend for their respective teams, the Mavs and the Heat.

Foster, a 2008 2nd round pick of Dallas, scored six points on 2-of-4 shooting in an 88-70 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, and two points on 1-of-4 shooting in 14 minutes of action in the Mavs' 87-78 loss to the Rockets on Saturday. Foster and the Mavs play the Bucks Monday at 5 p.m. pacific time in their next game.

Beal's Heat team defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 77-72, but Beal did not play (Coach's Decision). The Heat take on Golden State on Tuesday night in their next matchup.

Former Commodores Derrick Byars and A.J. Ogilvy begin Summer League play with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday against the Nuggets.

For a complete rundown of Summer League action, click here.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Four Commodores ready for NBA Summer League in Vegas


By A. Boggs

Four former Commodore players are preparing for NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas, with play beginning on Friday and lasting through Sunday, July 18th.

A.J. Ogilvy and Derrick Byars, who will both play with the Bulls this summer, will tip off their summer season at 1 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, July 13, when Chicago takes on the Denver Nuggets. The game can be seen live on NBA TV. Other games for the summer for Chicago include a game with the Clippers on 5 p.m. on July 14 (NBA TV), a matchup with the Clippers at 5:30 on July 16, and a game against Portland on July 18 at 3 p.m. (NBA TV).

Jermaine Beal, who just latched on with the Miami Heat's Vegas team, will play New Orleans at 7 p.m. on July 11 (NBA TV), against Golden State at 7:30 p.m. on July 13, versus Detroit at 7:30 p.m. on July 14, against Milwaukee on July 16 at 7:30 p.m., and against Cleveland at 3 p.m. on July 17 (NBA TV).

Shan Foster will once again suit up this summer for the Mavericks, who drafted the 2008 SEC Player of the Year in the second round of that year's draft. Foster and the Mavericks will play against Denver on July 9 at 1 p.m. (NBA TV), on July 10 against Houston at 7 p.m. (NBA TV), on July 12 against Milwaukee at 5 p.m. (NBA TV), on July 15 against the Wizards at 5 p.m. (NBA TV) and on July 18 against Sacramento at 5 p.m. (NBA TV).

Stay tuned to the blog for further updates on these former Commodores, and click here for the complete NBA Summer League schedule.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Stallings summer quotes

by Barca Blog

Head coach Kevin Stallings spoke with media during the annual SEC men's basketball summer teleconference earlier this week. Read below to find out what he had to say about the upcoming season.

Opening comments:
"We're looking forward to the year. Now is the time for them to be getting better as individuals. We're excited about the guys we have coming back. We know we lost a couple of significant players, but we're looking forward to the year. We think we have the makings of a good team, and hopefully it will play out that way."

On the difficulty of replacing a veteran point guard and post player:
"I think what you hope to do is have them replaced, so you don't have to replace them with freshman. We have some guys in waiting that we think can play and be effective, and hopefully that's what will happen.

"Brad Tinsley's been in our program for two years. We think he's a very capable point guard. He's played the 2 for us mostly, but we think he has a chance to be a very good point guard. Festus (Ezeli) has been in our program for three years now, so hopefully he can alleviate some of the loss of A.J. (Ogilvy)."

On Jeff Taylor as an NBA prospect:
"Jeff's a very good player, and very, very good NBA prospect. It would not surprise us at all if this were Jeff's last year in our program because I think he's that well thought of, and deservedly so.

On SEC Tournament basketball seeding structure:
"I was fairly neutral (on the topic at the SEC spring meetings), and honestly didn't think it was that big of a deal. I would have been okay if we had done it, and also okay not doing it.

"We really just had more discussion about the SEC Tournament than we did about anything else. We weren't really talking about eliminating divisions or anything like that. I think those of us in the East, even though we know what a brutal proposition it is night in and night out in the league, we enjoy being in what we feel like is the toughest division in college basketball."