Vanderbilt Pride
Four hours before game time the Saturday of the Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game, there was a shockingly long line of Vandy students outside Memorial Gym. (Here at Vanderbilt, we don’t buy student tickets to games – we get into all athletic events free with our Vandy ID)
When I finally entered the stadium, I was impressed by the number of fans decked out in black and gold. The UK supporters were sprinkled throughout the stands, but their ability to show support for their team didn’t stand a chance against the powerful cheering of Vanderbilt’s fans.
It’s always refreshing to see Vandy fans of all ages. Nashville high school students enthusiastically waving gold colored T-shirts around in the air. A middle-aged man with a Vanderbilt cap throwing his hands up in protest at a refs call. A little girl with black and gold bows in her pigtails happily clapping alongside her mother.
It’s a sign of the support we have here in Nashville, and as a student it’s good to be reminded I’m a part a traditional and admired university.
It was such a close game, captivating from start to finish. I’m not a girl for the politics of sports. Maybe we lost because of the referees’ bad calls or our exceptionally low shooting average – I don’t really know.
What I will remember, however, were last few seconds: the palpable tension in the stadium was overwhelming. Of course it was a let down to have lost after such a close game. My dad, watching the game on ESPN at home, sent me a text after the loss that said, “Oh well”.
At first I was annoyed; these words hardly justified the game and the statement didn’t accurately convey the disappointment.
But it’s true. Oh well. It was a night of exceptional Vanderbilt pride and spirit, one I will always remember. And that, I think, is the most important part.