The Vanderbilt athletic department and volleyball head coach Anders Nelson helped establish the Student Fan Council on Feb. 7. The council will have a direct hand in creating a unique and new culture of Vanderbilt volleyball. 

“We have high goals for this program down the road, and we know we need a really passionate student body,” Nelson said.

When Nelson & Co. stepped back and asked themselves what was needed to create a volleyball program from scratch in a Power Five conference, they realized they had yet to reach out to one of the most essential aspects: fans. From there, the Student Fan Council was born to serve as a liaison between the student body, the athletics department and the coaching staff. 

“This is the group that is going to lead our student section and make sure they play a factor in the outcomes of our matches,” Nelson said. “I envision students pouring into the arena, being close to the action and making it a true home-court advantage.”

The program’s three goals are leading the Vanderbilt Volleyball student section, organizing and mobilizing student excitement for volleyball and allowing students to shape their matchday experience. Through these goals, a small group of students will craft and establish a new and distinctly unique athletic culture on campus. 

“Since we’re exactly 18 months away from our first match, [we are looking for] a small committed group that can really move the needle,” Nelson said. “One of my goals is to make sure that the Vanderbilt community, the Nashville community and everyone around us is very excited about this program.” 

Vanderbilt Athletics and the volleyball coaches want to make the volleyball games the ultimate hangout destination for students. Volleyball is different from many other sports in that fans are closer to the action and are perhaps one of the most significant determining factors in the outcome of games. 

“I think one thing our students will realize is, in volleyball, the fans can get closer to the athletes,” Nelson said. “You can have a lot of impact when they’re serving the ball or going up to swing, and things like that. I want to make this a destination spot.”

For students looking to get involved in the Student Fan Council, there is an information session on Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. CST in the McGugin Society Room inside Memorial Gymnasium. The Student Fan Council will also host a grass volleyball tournament alongside the Rites of Spring weekend on April 19 and 20.