NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt University today announced a gift to endow the baseball head coaching position, honoring Tim Corbin’s two-time NCAA champion VandyBoys and a sport that has brought Commodores together for more than 139 years. The anonymous investment comes from parents of two current Vanderbilt students. The donors, one of whom attended Vanderbilt, expressed deep admiration for Coach Corbin’s exemplary leadership and his distinguished representation of Vanderbilt on and off the field. They also are highly engaged, generous supporters of Vanderbilt and Dare to Grow, the university’s historic fundraising campaign to advance our most ambitious vision: to be the great university of the 21st century.
The gift will fuel the momentum of Dare to Grow and help usher in the next phase of the historic Vandy United campaign, an initiative that has revolutionized Vanderbilt Athletics with transformational support for major facilities and operational enhancements, as well as amplifying support for scholarships and programs for student-athletes.
“We deeply appreciate this generous and forward-looking gift that will shape the lives of student-athletes for years to come,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director.
“Tim Corbin’s blueprint has long demonstrated that our values can set the standard in college athletics. Coach Corbin inspires student-athletes to reach their full potential, on the field, in the classroom and throughout their lives. And as we ask our supporters to help us meet the moment in a new phase of Vandy United, the VandyBoys inspire us to be bold in our ambitions.”
Hired in 2002 as the 21st head coach in program history, Corbin is the architect of its most successful era. His teams have won two national championships and four SEC Tournaments and have reached five College World Series. The three-time SEC Coach of the Year and American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame member has mentored more than 150 Major League Baseball draftees at Vanderbilt—the most in the NCAA in that timespan.
“I am grateful to this generous donor for honoring everyone who has picked up a glove or been part of this program in any capacity through the years,” Corbin said. “We remind our players that we are all passing through here. Nobody owns a role, and that applies to me as well. Our contribution is to leave Vanderbilt baseball better than when we found it. I’m thankful and humbled by the people who care deeply about this place and give us the support to keep teaching and competing at a high level.”
Corbin has the most wins of any coach in any sport in Vanderbilt history, entering the 2026 season with a 964-461-1 (.676) record at the school.
Endowed coach and staff positions ensure success for Vanderbilt student-athletes—past, present and future. These funds exist to meet the ongoing needs of Vanderbilt Athletics, while providing a lasting legacy.
This endowment gift comes shortly after the start of construction on enhancements to Hawkins Field. By supporting the recently launched next phase of Vandy United, Commodore Nation will fully bring to life plans that include a new weight room and pitching lab, in addition to expanded seating capacity and premium options—from private suites to club spaces behind the plate and atop the left field wall.
Support also fuels the Competitive Excellence Fund, a vital resource for maintaining momentum from Hawkins Field to every corner of the Frist Athletics Village.
To stay up to date on the latest news, and to make a gift, visit the National Commodore Club. Gifts of any size qualify supporters for National Commodore Club membership and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Vanderbilt’s more than 400 student-athletes.
About Vandy United
A key initiative in the university’s Dare to Grow campaign, Vandy United has raised more than $350 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.
