Vanderbilt University Athletics (West End Ave.)

Just across the street from Centennial Park is Vanderbilt University. On this stop, you should walk to Memorial Gym, Charles Hawkins Field, and Dudley Field as we tell you about the origins of Vanderbilt and highlight its athletic history. So let’s start at the beginning. The university was founded in 1873 after shipping tycoon, Cornelius T. Vanderbilt, provided a lead gift of $1 million. His goal was to invest in higher education in the post-Civil War South, and Vanderbilt emerged as what was called a “Southern Ivy,” along with Trinity College (now Duke University) and Emory University. These three elite schools were seen as southern counterparts to Ivy League schools in the Northeast like Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Dartmouth. 

Northern schools formed football and baseball teams in the 1870s, but it wasn’t until the 1890s that Vanderbilt’s athletic tradition officially took flight. The school adopted the “Commodore” as its mascot—in honor of the nickname given to Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made his fortune in shipping. In 1890, Vanderbilt squared off against the University of Nashville in the first college football game in Tennessee, which ended in a 4-0 win for the Commodores. Vanderbilt also fielded organized baseball and basketball teams by 1892. In 1896, student-coach Stella Vaughn formed a women’s basketball team, and in 1897, the Vandy “Coeds,” as they were called, played Ward Seminary in the first known women’s basketball game in Tennessee. The Vanderbilt women won with a shot at the buzzer, a whopping score of 5-0. 

For many years, both men’s and women’s basketball games were played in the Old University Gym near West End Avenue. That building was completed in 1880 and today serves as the office for undergraduate admissions. Since 1952, Memorial Gym has been the home court for the Commodores. This gym was dedicated as a memorial to Vanderbilt students and alumni killed in World War II. If you’ve ever seen a game in Memorial, then you’ll know it has a unique design. The gym floor was built up above its surroundings, almost like a stage. So, team benches were moved behind each basket so that fans could see the court. Memorial Gymnasium also has historic ties to the Civil Rights movement. In 1966, Nashville’s own Perry Wallace became the first Black student-athlete to break the racial barrier in the SEC as a member of the men’s basketball team. 

Now let’s talk baseball. Charles Hawkins Field is home to university’s baseball team, also known as the Vandy Boys. Built in 1992, the stadium was named for the family of Charles Hawkins III, a university and baseball program benefactor. The baseball team has won two NCAA national championships, in 2014 and 2019, and has made numerous other NCAA tournament appearances. Behind Hawkins Field is Dudley Field at Vanderbilt Stadium, the home of the Vanderbilt football team. Dudley Field is named for the “father” of Vanderbilt football, William Dudley, a chemistry professor and Dean of Vanderbilt’s Medical School from 1885 to 1914. Dudley was also a co-founder of the Southeastern Conference, better known as the SEC.

Believe it or not, Vanderbilt football was an early powerhouse, winning what would become the SEC conference numerous times between 1890 and 1926. The stadium was completed in 1922, and the first game was a huge event for the city. Vanderbilt played Michigan to a 0-0 tie—this was before the creation of overtime. And the tie was considered a win by many because Michigan was the top team in the country. A century later, the stadium celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Vanderbilt remains the only private school in the SEC. If you decide to take a tour of the main campus, be sure to check out the statue of Cornelius Vanderbilt—aptly named “The Commodore.”

Fun fact: Vanderbilt University is an accredited arboretum, boasting more than 6,000 trees. To learn more about Vanderbilt, also take our Belmont-Hillsboro-Vanderbilt walking tour and our Women’s Sports History driving tour!

Exit the parking lot and turn RIGHT, continuing straight on 25th Ave S. Turn LEFT on Blakemore Ave then LEFT on 21st Ave S. Along the way you will pass the Blair School of Music on Blakemore, and Peabody College on 21st. You’ll hear more about these schools at the next stop. In a half mile, turn RIGHT on Edgehill, then turn LEFT on 19th Ave S to find street parking near University School of Nashville and Scarritt Bennett Center.