Administration: New funding goal and renderings released for next stage of Vandy United – The Vanderbilt Hustler

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UPDATED: This story was updated at 6:37 p.m. CDT on March 11 to include a quote given to The Hustler by Vanderbilt Athletics regarding the location of the new soccer and lacrosse complex. 
Vanderbilt Athletics revealed several new renderings of the next stage of its Vandy United campaign on Wednesday, March 11. These new renderings mark a historic next step for Vanderbilt’s facility upgrades, as images of the new Football Experience Center, soccer and lacrosse complexes, Jess Neely Drive and Lummis Family Tennis Center indoor expansion were released. The university has also set a new funding goal of $300 million to expand these facilities.
This announcement comes just a few weeks after the administration announced the Anchored For Her campaign to support women’s athletics at the university and the recent start of construction at Hawkins Field. These new facility upgrades span multiple areas of the Frist Athletics Village.
“Our aspirations have never been higher, and our commitment to excellence has never been stronger,” athletic director Candice Storey Lee said in a release. “Commodore Nation has already seen what’s possible when we bring Vandy United’s vision to life. Now we take the next step—reimagining the football experience, investing in new homes for soccer and lacrosse, and building championship-caliber spaces across Vanderbilt Athletics. Together, we are creating a model for sustainable excellence that will lead the future of college sports. There has never been a better time to be a Commodore.
A new Football Experience Center is a centerpiece of this next stage of development, and it will feature an indoor practice facility with training, recovery, coaching and administrative functions. It will also be a multipurpose hub for education, experience and hospitality, according to the administration.
The Commodores set numerous records in the 2025 season, reaching 10 total wins and 6 SEC wins for the first time in program history. Head coach Clark Lea also signed a contract extension in December, securing his status as head coach for the foreseeable future.
“I am so humbled, as football coach, to have leadership that sets the course for our team’s success — and so grateful, as an alum and former student-athlete, that they invest that same energy in every individual,” Lea said. “With the support of our fans who power the National Commodore Club, Vandy United shows everyone what is possible here. Now is the time to take the next step. We have the opportunity to push forward and reach for more. We need everyone committed to the mission because we have the opportunity to win national championships.”
The administration also released renderings of the new lacrosse and soccer venues, although the location of these new facilities is unclear. The new Football Experience Center is scheduled to be built on top of the current soccer/lacrosse complex. This new facility will feature an Olympic Sports Center with new locker rooms and facilities.
“We have identified and are currently vetting multiple locations within our footprint,” Vanderbilt Athletics told The Hustler in a statement. “The renderings we shared are conceptual and illustrate the vision for the next phase of Vandy United. We will share more details in the future.”
Vanderbilt Women’s Soccer advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2025 — the furthest it’s ever been in the postseason — and won the SEC Tournament, capping off an incredible season for the Commodores. Head coach Darren Ambrose also signed a contract extension last week, keeping him on West End for the foreseeable future.
The university announced the expansion of the Lummis Family Tennis Center indoor courts, where it will expand facilities for both its men’s and women’s teams. The administration’s release also touched on Jess Neely Drive, where a vibrant pedestrian corridor will be. There are plans to have food vendors, retail kiosks, pop-up installations and more along this stretch of land.
The university is calling for donations to reach its new $300 million funding goal.
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