March 5, 2014
A Nashville native and lifelong Vanderbilt fan, assistant equipment manager Gary Veach has been helping Vanderbilt’s football program since he volunteered in 1998. In 2004, Veach was hired full-time to work in the equipment room. Veach and his wife, Renea, live in Dickson, Tenn., with their three children.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Scotland. That is where my ancestors are from. I would also enjoy playing golf there.
How did you end up at Vanderbilt?
There was someone I went to church with and played softball with, whose wife worked at Vanderbilt. She asked if I wanted to work the sidelines as a volunteer. I just ran footballs on the sidelines at games for the first few years and I began working camps in Woody Widehofer’s last year. When Coach (Bobby) Johnson got here, I started working practices and it turned into a job.
Did you grow up a Vanderbilt fan?
Yes. I’ve been coming to games with my parents since the 70s. My brother actually played summer baseball for Larry Schmittou and I was the bat boy for Vanderbilt. My parents went to all the games, so I traveled on the road and was the bat boy at all the games, home and away.
What is your favorite memory growing up as a Vanderbilt fan?
It was the 1982 football game when we beat Tennessee. I was a senior in high school at the time.
Outside of Vanderbilt Stadium, what is your favorite stadium to visit?
Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. I always think it is a neat experience going there and a very good environment. They always treat us well.
How much detergent does the equipment room go through during football season?
We go through five gallons every three weeks.
What was your first job?
I worked at a gas station in Bellevue. There is still a gas station there, but the Texaco I worked at has since been torn down and rebuilt as something else. It was a full-service and self-service station, so I pumped gas and everything.
Behind the V Archive
Life Skills/Academics: Alison Wenzel
Baseball: Dansby Swanson
National Commodore Club: John Patterson
Women’s Basketball: Vicki Spina
Women’s Tennis: Lauren Mira
Swimming: Elly Faulkner
Associate Director: Lori Alexander
Baseball: Drew Fann
Swimming: Chrissy Oberg
Men’s Basketball: Garry Christopher
Women’s Golf: Rene Sobolewski
Bowling: Nicole Mosesso
Ticket Office: Eric Jones
Compliance: George Midgett
