Vanderbilt Champions Women’s Athletics with Anchored for Her Campaign – Vanderbilt University Athletics

Building on lead gifts from Vanderbilt trustees, audacious $50 million campaign to support women’s athletics writes next chapter in university’s pioneering history
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — To honor generations of women whose pioneering spirit and championship legacy exemplify the best of the university, Vanderbilt has launched the Anchored for Her campaign to cement its place as the preeminent destination for women’s college sports—and to ensure that current and future Commodores will write their own history.
Bolstered by generous lead gifts from Vanderbilt Board of Trust members Nina Kohler and Kathleen Justice-Moore, JD’91, Anchored for Her’s initial $50 million goal will fuel investment in sustainable success for a new era of collegiate athletics. Ahead of next year’s 50th anniversary of its varsity women’s sports programs, Vanderbilt is asking the broad university community to help reach the goal and support the excellence already energizing campus, from soccer’s recent Elite Eight run, to volleyball’s return on Wyatt Lawn, to basketball’s galvanizing season and more.
“Anchored for Her invests in the women whose bold spirit will shape the future, just as our women’s sports pioneers helped make Vanderbilt one of one,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “Across all of our sports, we see every day that being a Vanderbilt student-athlete is life-changing—not just for the individuals who come to compete for championships and leave prepared for life, but for the businesses, institutions and communities they enrich across a lifetime. As we approach the 50th anniversary of varsity women’s sports at Vanderbilt, we have 50 years of evidence of their importance for Vanderbilt—and for society. I ask our community to come together and deliver those opportunities for generations to come.”
For more than 130 years, since Stella Vaughn first led a Vanderbilt women’s basketball team onto the court, women with a passion for athletics have helped drive the university forward. In the modern era of varsity sports, for the past six years under the direction of a former Vanderbilt student-athlete and the first woman to serve as athletic director, women’s teams and student-athletes have won six national championships and more than 20 conference championships. Alumni have won Olympic gold, WNBA and NWSL titles and competed in bowling, golf and tennis majors and track and field world championships.
“Vanderbilt is committed to creating an environment where all students can unlock their potential and excel,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “Just as we launched Vandy United to support our vision for athletics as an integral part of the great university of the 21st century, the Anchored for Her campaign reflects our steadfast dedication to women’s sports within a robust athletic program that fully embodies our mission and is committed to competing at the highest level.”
Kohler’s lead investment likewise advances the campaign’s focus on long-term excellence, opportunity and competitive success for Vanderbilt women’s athletics.
“From Candice Storey Lee’s inspirational leadership—exemplifying teamwork, resilience and work ethic—to the coaches and student-athletes who demonstrate these qualities daily by competing for championships and creating lasting memories for the Vanderbilt community, we are building leaders of the future on and off the field and court,” said Kohler, entrepreneur and strategy and design leader at the Kohler Company. “The foundation is anchored in excellence. I hope everyone who loves this university will consider getting involved to secure the future.”
Justice-Moore’s gift endowed the Candice Storey Lee Scholarship. The scholarship supports student-athletes who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to service—values that have defined Lee’s impact across Vanderbilt Athletics. Graduate student Sacha Washington, who has started more than 90 games for the Commodores and is one of just 27 student-athletes in women’s basketball team history to score at least 1,200 points, is the scholarship’s first recipient.
Supporters are encouraged to give to Anchored for Her through a variety of pathways designed to create a championship-caliber environment, recruit and retain the best of the best across 11 varsity sports and meet the financial realities of the new revenue-sharing model in college athletics.
Building on a proud history to reach new heights, Vanderbilt’s 11 women’s teams bring together the community, inspire new fans and show the world what is possible here.
“I’m grateful to Chancellor Diermeier, Dr. Candice Storey Lee, Nina Kohler, Kathleen Justice-Moore and everyone involved in this transformative step for Vanderbilt women’s sports,” Ralph said. “Anchored for Her reflects Vanderbilt’s clear vision and relentless commitment to maximizing every person’s full potential as a human being. Without investment in women’s sports, no part of my journey would have been possible. As women leaders, we have a responsibility to continue the work that has gotten us all to this point. I’m proud to be part of a university dedicated to building an even brighter future for the next generation of women.”
“This is an exciting moment for our soccer program and Vanderbilt’s women’s sports. I can’t think of a better investment than the young women who show us at every opportunity that there is no record they can’t break and no limit they can’t brush aside,” Ambrose said. “This campaign is a reflection and extension of Chancellor Diermeier’s mandate of ‘dare to grow.’ With investment in those who are willing to find out what is really possible, we will elevate ourselves to new heights as a department. Speaking for our team, we aren’t done. We have more to achieve and are still reaching for our ceiling. Nashville has become my family’s home over the past decade, and I’ve seen how strong the bonds are between this community and our teams. I know our supporters will answer this call.”
“As a coach, I’m absolutely thrilled for what Anchored for Her means for our current and future student-athletes,” Tsoubanos said. “And as an alum, I’m deeply proud of my teammates and all the former student-athletes who set the standard by constantly reimagining what is possible at Vanderbilt. I hope we left Vanderbilt better than we found it, just as I know this campaign will ensure that future generations have that same opportunity.”
More Vanderbilt women’s sports superlatives:
Learn more about Anchored for Her and get involved in making Vanderbilt the premier destination for women’s college sports.
About Vandy United
A key initiative in the university’s Dare to Grow campaign, Vandy United has raised more than $370 million. The university is working on major facilities and operational enhancements, including the Frist Athletics Village and ambitious renovations for Hawkins Field and the Lummis Family Tennis Center. Through the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and other efforts, the campaign has funded scholarships and support programs to ensure that Vanderbilt student-athletes are poised for success in every way. To learn more about this historic campaign and make a gift, visit the new Vandy United hub.
About the Dare to Grow Campaign
Dare to Grow is Vanderbilt’s ongoing historic fundraising campaign. After surpassing its initial $3.2 billion goal 20 months ahead of schedule, it continues to fuel our most ambitious vision: to be the great university of the 21st century. Learn more at vu.edu/daretogrow.
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