Vietnam

The War In Vietnam.

It was the overriding national political issue all four years we attended Vanderbilt.

While student opposition to the conflict (and especially the military draft) was much stronger at other universities as compared to Vanderbilt, by the time we arrived at school, there were organized efforts to mobilize public opposition to the war.

That included on October 15, 1969, participation in a national "moratorium" day against the conflict. What do you remember about that day? Bill Carey in his book on the history of Vanderbilt, CHANCELLORS, COMMODORES & COEDS" says: "As part of the event many students skip class, go special talks on the war, and hand out anti-war leaflets in Nashville neighborhoods."

Does that ring a bell or bring back any memories? If so, please leave your thoughts below by clicking on the comments link.

Now I can sure believe the part about students skipping class (sure we were just freshmen, but did we ever really need an excuse not to go to class if we could find one)? But what going to special talks about the war or handing out anti-war literature off campus?

What I do remember is WRVU had just gotten its United Press International wire machine back in service.

With that news teletype and the audio line we had from ABC Radio News, we could track what was going on all over the country that day. That was really neat, and a bit unusual in those times before instant and constant communications through cable news, the Internet, blogging, text messaging and cell phones.

Courtesy of the Vanderbilt TV News Archives, here's how Walter Cronkite and the CBS EVENING NEWS reported on the Moratorium that evening of October 15, 1969.....



There was another Moratorium attempted the very next month on November 15. But I don't remember it generating nearly the interest or news coverage of the first one.

However there is a hit song from that era (we played it all the time at WRVU my freshman year), that whenever I hear it reminds me of those turbulent days: "FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH" by the Buffalo Springfield:



Coming up next: May, 1970: President Nixon Invades Cambodia, then asks Chancellor Heard for help.

Mrs. Mize

If the students at Vanderbilt had a mother protector during our years on campus, it was probably Mrs. Claude Mize, who operated The Southerner Liquor Store at 1610 Church Street near campus. The only other person who would come close would be Mrs. John Rotier, who operated Rotier's Restaurant on Elliston Place.

Both women had special profiles in the CENTENNIAL COMMODORE our senior year.

Here are a few excerpts from the story on Mrs. Mize and the interview it contained:

"Vanderbilt has been very good to me. I depend on the Vanderbilt student. Even when my son went to Alabama to college, he always tried to get me to root for Alabama, but I always root for Vanderbilt...I helped one student pay his tuition and he sent it back to me eight months later."



"I get invited to lots of parties and affairs at Vanderbilt. I did go to one big party and they made me feel better than President Nixon at his re-election. They all yelled: "Hip, hip hooray, hip, hip, hooray, Mrs. Mize."

"Homecoming is usually my best time. I get to see all the old fellows I haven't seen for years. And some of them are the top Nashville people now. You know, celebrities."



"I appreciate the fact that girls are coming in now. They know they're free to come in and that they'll be taken care of just like everyone else. I enjoy this very much."

So 35 years later, what are your memories and stories about Mrs. Mize and The Southerner? Don't worry I am sure the statute of limitations has expired by now. Just click on the comments link below and tell us all about it. :)

Conquer & Prevail!

Vanderbilt 14-Auburn 13
Photo by Mark Humphrey of the Associated Press

For the first time since World War II(1943), the Vanderbilt football team has started its season 5-0 thanks to a thrilling 14-13victory over Number #13 Auburn at Vanderbilt Stadium!

Vanderbilt itself came into the game ranked #19,and in the wake of the Auburn victory, the Commodores have now moved up in the national standings to Number #13 in the Associated Press survey and #14 in the USA TODAY poll.

It's the first time in many years Vanderbilt has won a game as a nationally ranked team, and Vandy also finds itself on top of the SEC East standings with a 3-0 record in league play!

The victory over Auburn came before a sell-out crowd on Parents Weekend (just like our big win freshman year over Alabama and Bear Bryant in 1969).

It was televised nationwide by ESPN, which also brought its very popular College GameDay pre-game show to Nashville and the Vanderbilt campus for the first time ever.

Thousands of rowdy Vanderbilt fans brought their cheers and some very unique signs to the show (such as: "The Geeks Shall Inherit The Turf", "I Got My GED At Auburn", "Phil Fulmer Ate My Other Sign" and "You People Are Blocking the Library."

As I suspected, ESPN analyst Lee Corso did not pick Vandy, in fact, he threw a Mr. Commodore mascot head on the ground as he donned a Tiger helmet to pick his winner. If you'll check, I believe you'll find that Corso's record is now below .500 this year. And in fact, one of the heroes of the Vandy victory, back-up quarterback Mackenzi Adams, said, after the game, that it fired up the team when Corso threw away the Vandy mascot head.

So what other reason do you need now to come back to Nashville the weekend of October 24-25 for Homecoming and our 35th Class Reunion?

The game against Duke (now scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday afternoon, October 25) could either make us:

1. Bowl-eligible for the first time in 26 years (as predicted, I might add, by our Reunion leader, John Stein, when we held our Leadership Conference last winter).

Or it could:

2. Ensure a winning record for Vanderbilt for the first time in over a quarter of a century, and enhance our bowl opportunities.

For long suffering Vanderbilt fans, it hasn't gotten much better than that in a long, long time.

By the way, I did my part to ensure the Auburn victory. Betty Lee and I went to our daughter Katie Rosenhagen's house (she's also a VU grad)to babysit our grandson, Shaun. Now, over the years, Vanderbilt has done well when we have done that.

We were there last football season when Vanderbilt upset South Carolina on the road. And at that same location, I saw the Vandy basketball team beat #1 Florida at Memorial Gym two years ago and stage a near-miracle rally to beat DePaul in Chicago last season.

Of course, despite my efforts, things didn't start out to well in the Auburn game, with Vandy falling behind early (as it has in every game its played this year).

But again, I had a plan that works (at least some times). I turned the TV over to the baseball playoffs and started reading a new book by Bob Schieffer of CBS. I am interviewing him this week while he is in town for the Presidential Debate, so it was something I needed to do anyway.

I didn't know it at the time, but my tuning out began to impact the game immediately as Auburn missed the extra point on its second first-quarter touchdown. It was a mistake that cost them the game.

When I heard that the score at the half was Auburn 13 Vanderbilt 7, I took as an omen, my plan was working and we still had a chance to win. So I continued reading and watching the baseball playoffs, sneaking an occasional peek at the football game.

Each time I did it, trouble ensued. I peeked in the third quarter and we missed a field goal. I looked over again and a promising drive fizzled out. When Betty Lee returned from picking up some food for us, she found me watching and told me to turn it back to something else.

That's what I did, while we ate dinner, and we did not turn the game back on just AFTER the final interception that sealed the victory! And, no, I did not cheat and listen to the Vandy radio broadcast with Joe Fisher. :)

Next up is Mississippi State in Starksville. We don't play the Bulldogs very often, and checking the record books, we haven't won there very often either.

In fact, I believe the last time we got a victory there was the 1971season,during our junior year at Vanderbilt, when we upset the Maroons (MSU's other nickname) 49-19, with the big plays coming from Doug Nettles with a 28 yard interception return and a 57 yard punt return by Walter Overton.

A tough defense, featuring a ball-hawking secondary, along with great special teams play, is how this year's Vandy team is excelling.

Maybe we can do it again in Starkville next weekend.

Go Dores!

Our Concerts 1969-1973, Volume III

One of the highlights of our 35th Reunion Weekend, which is coming up in just three short weeks, is the "History of Motown" presentation by Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor Dr. David Williams.

Well, this post is about one Motown superstar we had a chance to see and enjoy in person while we were students at Vandy.

Born May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder wasn't much older than most of us in the audience when he came to Vanderbilt to perform in concert our senior year.

Despite his youth, Wonder was already an international superstar for Motown Records.

When began his career in the early '60s, he was billed as "Little Stevie Wonder". But I think he had lost the first part of that moniker by the time he came to Vandy.

He had also already recorded a string of hits, releasing such classics, while we were in school, as "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday"(1969), My Cherie Amour" (1969) and, courtesy of YouTube, this chart climber in 1970, "Signed, Sealed, Delvered, I'm Yours."



I'm sorry to say I don't think I went to this concert when I was a student. My loss, especially given the artistic heights Wonder has achieved during his stellar career. Exactly when did he come to Vanderbilt our senior year? Was it in the fall or the spring semester? And where was the concert performed: at Memorial Gym or somewhere else?

If you went to this concert, or have thoughts and memories share about this or other concerts at Vanderbilt while we were there, please let me know by clicking on the comments link below.

So you can see why I am really looking foward to Vice Chancellor Williams's "History of Motown" presentation. It will be held on Friday afternoon October 24 from 4:00-5:30 PM in the Board of Trust Room of the New Student Life Center which is right across from Memorial Gym on 25th Avenue North.

Add it all up, it's one of the big reasons to come back to campus for our 35th Class Reunion in three weeks. After all, the Motown session is open to all and its free of charge. :)

If We Had Only Known....

If any of us had seen the story below on the CBS Evening News back in September, 1970, we probably would have played very little attention to it.

What did we know about that new PBS television show called Sesame Street, which was beginning its second season with a stage show touring the nation?

It was in, of all places, Jackson, Mississippi, where that wonderful CBS correspondent Hughes Rudd found the cast, and filed this report (brought to us courtesy of the Vanderbilt TV News Archive).

From the story, it appears Sesame Street was already doing great things, teaching both adults and children how to live together in harmony. Here's the anchorman on the broadcast,Roger Mudd.....





The positive impact the Sesame Street program had on our children, and now for some of us, our grandchildren, has been tremendous. At least, I feel that way about what it did to help my two daughters when they were growing up in the 1980s.

Starting with Mr. Wimple and Big Bird and going on through Kermit the Frog,Grover, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster,The Count, even Oscar the Grouch and all the rest of the cast: they entertained and educated our children for many hours, over many years as they grew up.

But for most of us back in 1970 the idea of children's education probably didn't go much further than this hit which was on the charts back then. It's Crosby, Stills and Nash, "Teach Your Children".

Enjoy, and leave your memories and thoughts about Sesame Street or Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young) by clicking on the comments link below.



Just three weeks to Reunion Weekend!

FUN

Students sign up for some FUN on Rand Terrace

According to Bill Carey's book on the history of Vanderbilt, "Chancellors, Commodores And Coeds," The Free University of Nashville (FUN) began in 1969, imitating a program at an unnamed California college.

The book says FUN was "a student run program where students and the general public could sign up for free classes taught by students and faculty in everything from racial sensitivity to journalism and self-defense."

Looking through a photo spread about FUN in our 1973 CENTENNIAL COMMODORE, the courses offered that year included a wide variety of topics such as: Nursery Rhymes, The Art of Forgery In Instrumental Music Techniques, Kazoo Band, Women's Self-Defense, C.S. Lewis, Cruising, Folk Jamming Zappa, Banjo, How To Be Crazy In Society and Pottery.

The yearbook reported that the most popular FUN classes our senior year including music courses and popular mechanics with over 400 students (including some from Peabody and Fisk) participating.

According to Carey's book, FUN stayed in existence until at least 1976, "when it courses included amateur radio, bicycle repair, vegetarian cooking and painting."

So who out there in the Class of '73 (or anybody else reading this post) ever signed up for the Free University of Nashville and took some of these courses? What was it like? Do you still remember anything you learned from these classes? Was it more rewarding in some ways that what you learned in the regular classes you took at Vandy? Please leave your thoughts and memories by clicking on the comments link below.

Don't forget the FUN coming up Reunion Weekend(October 24-25), especially the special educational sessions on Friday afternoon.

In particular, that includes the program from 4:00 to 5:30 PM being sponsored by the Class of 1973. It features Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams and his outstanding HISTORY OF MOTOWN presentation. The class will be held in the Board of Trust Room in the new Student Life Center right across from Memorial Gym on
25th Avenue.

To help get you in the mood for that, and courtesy of YouTube, here's a little Motown fun from the early 1970s: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, "The Tears of a Clown:"




And there's lots more like that still to come, both here on this blog and Reunion Weekend. So don't miss it!

The Football Frenzy Mounts In Nashville

ESPN's very popular College GameDay program is headed for Vanderbilt this weekend!

Look for hundreds, if not thousands of Vanderbilt students and fans to fill the area around the new freshman Commons on the Peabody campus, acting half-crazy as they cheer for their Commodores. All this while holding up what will hopefully be some of the most creative signs ever viewed on this weekly program. It all begins with live broadcasts Friday afternoon (3:30-3:50 PM CDT) and then the big show Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 AM.

The Game Day program is known for its "unique" fan signage and for analyst Lee Corso's game-of-the-day pick at the end of the Saturday morning program, where he dons the mascot headgear for the team he says will win.

With Vandy's game against nationally-ranked Auburn being the spotlight game this weekend (and also telecast on ESPN later that day at 5:00 PM), who will Corso pick? Warning: He is a former coach at Louisville and was involved in an infamous 0-0 tie with Vandy at Dudley Field in 1971, a game that set records for most punts. He also coached at Indiana where he whomped the Dores 44-13 in Bloomington in 1979.

So can Corso bring himself to pick Vandy? I know he likely has an Auburn Tigers head available to him from previous games. But not so fast, my friend (as he likes to say on the air), I wonder if Corso is looking for one of those Mr. Commodore hats they used to wear when we were in school? :)

Frankly, in terms of sports, there's never been anything quite like what's happening this week for Vandy Nation.

With the football team 4-0, and having achieved a national ranking for the first time in over a quarter of century, the visit of Game Day crew for the Auburn game is just one more sign of just how quickly Vanderbilt's star is rising on the collegiate gridiron scene this year (recent articles in publications like Sports Illustrated also help in this regard).

But Vanderbilt fans always remain cautious. They've had their hopes crushed so many times over the years (even to just achieve the program's first winning season since 1982), there is bound to be some apprehension about how this weekend will turn out. After all Auburn remains a 4-point favorite.

That's understandable, but it's probably best to just savor the moment and revel in the tremendous buzz going around campus and throughout Nashville. An excitement exceeded only by the upcoming presidential debate to be held this coming Tuesday, October 7 at Belmont University, just a few blocks away from the Game Day site.

Wow! Talk about the eyes of the nation, and even the world, being on Nashville the next few days!



October, 1972: The Vanderbilt campus: The Living View The Dead


About the only thing that comes close to any of this while we were on campus at Vanderbilt is the Grateful Dead concert held on Alumni Lawn the fall of our senior year. In those days, the GD (Grateful Dead) generated the kind of excitment and enthusiam among music fans that GD (Game Day) does today with college football fans. And like Game Day, a rock group with the unique popularity of the Grateful Dead had never even come close to being on the Vanderbilt campus. That only made the appearance back then about as exciting in many ways as the Game Day appearance is now.

The concert by the Rolling Stones at Vanderbilt Stadium a few years ago might have come close, but I am not sure that group had the same strong following among the students, as the Dead did back in 1972.

By the way, the anniversary of the Vanderbilt Grateful Dead concert is October 21, so we will be blogging throughout the day that Tuesday (which is just a few days before our Reunion weekend) with a look back at that famous day on campus, complete with photos, news stories, and even a web site link where you can actually hear a live recording of some of the songs played that day by the Dead.

In the meantime, please feel free to leave your thoughts and share your excitement about Vanderbilt's current success on the gridiron and/or your memories of the Dead concert. Thanks....