Vanderbilt announced a gift from Mark H. Carter (B.E. ‘98) and his family to the Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball team on Feb. 11. The gift endows Vanderbilt’s coaching position and makes Mark Byington the first Mark H. Carter and Family Men’s Basketball head coach. The gift also fuels the Dare to Grow and, subsequently, the Vandy United campaign, according to the press release from Vanderbilt. 

“We are grateful to Mark Carter and his family for an incredible gift that will outlive us all, serving Vanderbilt Athletics and student-athletes for generations to come,” athletic director Candice Story Lee said. “It is humbling to see him give back so that the best and brightest will realize their potential at Vanderbilt.”

Carter graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1998. He has since stayed involved with the university, as he is also a member of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering’s Council of Advisors.

“Sports offers the university a level of exposure that has a multiplying effect,” Carter said. “Athletic success brings together alumni in a way few other things can, and for potential students, it creates excitement. People want to be part of a winning culture, and we have every opportunity to do this right now at Vanderbilt.”

Byington has led the Commodores to a 17-6 start in his first year at the helm of their program and currently holds a three-game home winning streak after victories over Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas.

“I’m tremendously thankful to Mark [Carter] for this generous gift and his unfailing support for Vanderbilt men’s basketball since I arrived,” Byington said. “The Vanderbilt community and people like Mark are a big reason why I felt such an immediate connection with this university.”

Byington will have a chance to grab his first win as the Mark H. Carter and Family Men’s Basketball head coach as Vanderbilt welcomes No. 1 Auburn into Memorial Gymnasium on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. CST.