NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest chapter of Vandy United, Vanderbilt’s unprecedented $300 million investment in athletics, was highlighted today when artists’ renderings of the Lummis Family Tennis Center were unveiled. Fred and Claudia Lummis, both BA’76, and their sons—Fred III, Dan, BA’05, and Ben, BA’08—have made the lead gift with the goal of inspiring and facilitating gifts from other alumni and donors to champion state-of-the-art tennis facilities to benefit both the Vanderbilt and greater Nashville communities.
“The Lummis Family Tennis Center will ensure that our tennis programs have the facilities necessary to meet the standard of excellence we have all come to expect,” said Candice Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “Thanks to the generosity of Fred and Claudia Lummis and their family, our student-athletes will enjoy the best experience in collegiate tennis. The center will also offer improved fan and game day experiences to bring Nashville’s tennis community and Commodore Nation even closer to our programs.”
Award-winning global architectural design firm Populous, master architect for Vandy United’s signature projects and for notable tennis structures such as Wimbledon AELTC and the Hengqin International Tennis Center in China, is spearheading design of the on-campus complex.
“Vanderbilt’s alumni and supporters know that their gifts will not only benefit current students, but generations to come,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “This generous gift by the Lummis family will long enable student-athletes to realize more of their potential, while providing a destination for Nashville tennis fans. It is representative of Vanderbilt’s signature collaborative spirit and the all-in attitude that will make Vandy United a success.”
The expanded and renovated tennis center will exceed all requirements needed to host all levels of NCAA postseason competition.
“Claudia and I are thrilled to help Vanderbilt tennis write the next chapter in a storied history,” said Fred Lummis, founder and chairman of Platform Partners LLC. “Captaining the men’s tennis team was one of the great privileges of my years at Vanderbilt. My experiences as a student-athlete provided some of the best memories and most valuable lessons of my life. Our goal is to help create a center of tennis excellence not only for Vanderbilt to compete for championships but to serve the…