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BlueShoe Nashville Travel
Guide: Sports
Vanderbilt University is a member of the NCAA's Southeastern Conference and that means at least two things:Nashvillians get to enjoy football behemoths like Florida and Alabama coming to town in the fall AND they frequently get to cringe at the creamings those behemoths give Vandy. Sometimes the Commodores pull it together and win against one of their famed competitors and then there's jubilation on West End. Many of the games don't sell out, and you can buy tickets right before kickoff at the stadium box office. Vanderbilt basketball (both women's and men's) is more competitive in the Southeastern Conference. The games, held in Memorial Gymnasium, are well-attended and a popular winter past-time for Nashvillians. Unless, the opponent is an important rival like Kentucky or Tennessee, you can often buy tickets right before the game. Tennessee State University (TSU) fields an often-exciting 3-A football team, as does MTSU in neighboring Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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Despite
gray skies, chilly weather, a crunch of parking problems, and
a long, cold wait, Nashvillians turned out in mass to welcome
home their 
The "I've
Got Rhythm" Tennessee State University marching band led
the processional, which included coaches on
fire engines, and players in beautiful
new convertibles (yes, it was a bit nippy for an open-air drive).
Some fervent (male) fans did their best to fan the enthusiasm
of the crowds by stripping to the waist and leading the on-lookers
in cheers for EDDIE-EDDIE-EDDIE (Titans' running back, Eddie
George). Although the Titans did not bring home a Superbowl victory,
their fans were tickled at their team's season and their never-say-die
attitude. The crowd's sentiment was perhaps best summed up by
a small sign carried by a pre-schooler: "SO PROUD."