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Set
away from downtown Nashville, the campus of Vanderbilt is quaint and cozy.
The same can be said for Vanderbilt Stadium, which certainly does not pose
an intimidating threat. Beautifully set amongst the buildings on
campus, the stadium does not possess the power of its SEC brethren and its
not because it only holds just over 40,000. The passion from Vandy
fans is more passive. When entering Vanderbilt Stadium, the tradition
and history of the structure can be sensed, but several losing seasons have
diluted the enthusiasm. Often, Vanderbilt fans will be close to
outnumbered by the opponent's fans in the stadium. It's not to say
that they don't care, rather, the fans here have come to understand what to
expect and do not set their hopes high. Many Vanderbilt fans will
express their discontent for the football program saying that they always
get off to a good start and then fail to finish. Living in the SEC
isn't easy when you are everybody's little brother. The fact is, Vandy
has everything in place to be an outstanding program with an imposing
atmosphere. Fans get involved in the pregame tailgating party known as
Vandyville. An hour before kickoff, the team marches across Jess Neely
Drive through many fans into Vanderbilt Stadium in what is known as the
"Star Walk." The Spirit of Gold marching band forms the Vandy star at
the onset of the game and welcomes the team amongs clouds of smoke.
The band plays for fans around the stadium and the Commodore revs up a
lively student body. An old U.S. Navy foghorn blasts at every Vandy
score. The ingredients are here for the black and gold. Until
the team is able to pick up some winning consistency, the "Dores" will
continue to get drowned out by the flash of Music City.

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Vanderbilt Games
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