Blab Sports
Vanderbilt Athletics Announces First All-Sports Jersey Patch Partnership with SRM Concrete
From concrete to the sidelines, Vanderbilt University announced on July 21 that SRM Concrete will become the first all‑sports jersey patch partner for the Commodores, starting with the 2026‑27 athletic year. The move builds on a partnership that began in 2025 when SRM secured naming rights to the SRM South End Zone Suites at FirstBank Stadium.
The agreement will place the SRM logo on the uniforms of all 17 Vanderbilt varsity teams. Deputy athletics director Derek Grice said the patch is meant to expand the existing relationship and to give student‑athletes additional name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. “The partnership creates meaningful opportunities for student‑athletes across all 17 of our varsity sports through NIL, storytelling and professional development, while aligning Vanderbilt Athletics with a company that shares our commitment to excellence, innovation and long‑term investment,” Grice explained.
Jeff Hollingshead, CEO of SRM Concrete, highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for working with Vanderbilt. “Nashville is where SRM’s story began, and Vanderbilt represents the very best of this city – world‑class in academics, nationally recognized in athletics, and committed to developing leaders who make a lasting impact,” Hollingshead said. He added that the partnership would support the student‑athletes who represent the university.
SRM’s involvement with Vanderbilt began with the naming rights to the South End Zone Suites at FirstBank Stadium, a facility that opened in 2025 and serves as the home of the football program. This new jersey‑patch deal marks the first time the university will feature a sponsor on all team uniforms.
Student‑athletes have voiced excitement about the partnership. Senior running back Sedrick Alexander said he was thrilled that a Tennessee‑based company is investing in Vanderbilt Athletics and that the deal “reflects SRM Concrete’s growing support of student‑athletes.” He noted that SRM has already been a significant supporter of the new stadium.
Wide receiver Sherrill, a senior junior, emphasized the NIL aspect. “The patch is one part of the partnership, but the real excitement is everything else that comes with it,” Sherrill said. “SRM plans to work directly with student‑athletes through NIL opportunities, storytelling, and other initiatives that help us build our personal brands and prepare for what’s next after college.” He added that having a Tennessee‑based company invested in their success makes the support more meaningful.
SRM Concrete is a family‑owned, Smyrna‑based company founded in 1999. It operates a network of ready‑mix concrete plants, quarries and cement terminals across 22 states and employs more than 8,500 people. Vanderbilt alumnus Jeff Hollingshead serves as CEO.
Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, is a private research institution and a founding member of the SEC. The university fields 17 varsity teams, 14 of which compete at the NCAA Division I level. The Commodores’ athletic programs are known for their commitment to academic excellence and competitive performance.
The jersey‑patch partnership is a milestone for Vanderbilt Athletics, marking the first time the university will feature a sponsor on all team uniforms. It also signals a broader trend in college sports toward expanded NIL opportunities and corporate partnerships that extend beyond single‑sport sponsorships.
The partnership will take effect at the start of the 2026‑27 athletic season, covering all sports from football and basketball to softball and track. While the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, the partnership is expected to provide a platform for student‑athletes to engage with SRM Concrete through brand storytelling, professional development programs and direct NIL collaborations.
As the Commodores prepare for the upcoming season, the new partnership will add a new dimension to the university’s athletic brand and offer student‑athletes additional resources to build their personal brands and career prospects beyond college.
The partnership underscores Vanderbilt’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its athletic programs while maintaining the university’s academic and ethical standards. It also reflects SRM Concrete’s commitment to supporting local institutions and investing in the next generation of leaders.
For Vanderbilt Athletics, the SRM jersey‑patch partnership represents a strategic expansion of its sponsorship portfolio and a tangible benefit for student‑athletes across all sports. The partnership will be visible on the field, court and track as the Commodores compete in the 2026‑27 season and beyond.
The agreement will place the SRM logo on the uniforms of all 17 Vanderbilt varsity teams. Deputy athletics director Derek Grice said the patch is meant to expand the existing relationship and to give student‑athletes additional name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. “The partnership creates meaningful opportunities for student‑athletes across all 17 of our varsity sports through NIL, storytelling and professional development, while aligning Vanderbilt Athletics with a company that shares our commitment to excellence, innovation and long‑term investment,” Grice explained.
Jeff Hollingshead, CEO of SRM Concrete, highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for working with Vanderbilt. “Nashville is where SRM’s story began, and Vanderbilt represents the very best of this city – world‑class in academics, nationally recognized in athletics, and committed to developing leaders who make a lasting impact,” Hollingshead said. He added that the partnership would support the student‑athletes who represent the university.
SRM’s involvement with Vanderbilt began with the naming rights to the South End Zone Suites at FirstBank Stadium, a facility that opened in 2025 and serves as the home of the football program. This new jersey‑patch deal marks the first time the university will feature a sponsor on all team uniforms.
Student‑athletes have voiced excitement about the partnership. Senior running back Sedrick Alexander said he was thrilled that a Tennessee‑based company is investing in Vanderbilt Athletics and that the deal “reflects SRM Concrete’s growing support of student‑athletes.” He noted that SRM has already been a significant supporter of the new stadium.
Wide receiver Sherrill, a senior junior, emphasized the NIL aspect. “The patch is one part of the partnership, but the real excitement is everything else that comes with it,” Sherrill said. “SRM plans to work directly with student‑athletes through NIL opportunities, storytelling, and other initiatives that help us build our personal brands and prepare for what’s next after college.” He added that having a Tennessee‑based company invested in their success makes the support more meaningful.
SRM Concrete is a family‑owned, Smyrna‑based company founded in 1999. It operates a network of ready‑mix concrete plants, quarries and cement terminals across 22 states and employs more than 8,500 people. Vanderbilt alumnus Jeff Hollingshead serves as CEO.
Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, is a private research institution and a founding member of the SEC. The university fields 17 varsity teams, 14 of which compete at the NCAA Division I level. The Commodores’ athletic programs are known for their commitment to academic excellence and competitive performance.
The jersey‑patch partnership is a milestone for Vanderbilt Athletics, marking the first time the university will feature a sponsor on all team uniforms. It also signals a broader trend in college sports toward expanded NIL opportunities and corporate partnerships that extend beyond single‑sport sponsorships.
The partnership will take effect at the start of the 2026‑27 athletic season, covering all sports from football and basketball to softball and track. While the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, the partnership is expected to provide a platform for student‑athletes to engage with SRM Concrete through brand storytelling, professional development programs and direct NIL collaborations.
As the Commodores prepare for the upcoming season, the new partnership will add a new dimension to the university’s athletic brand and offer student‑athletes additional resources to build their personal brands and career prospects beyond college.
The partnership underscores Vanderbilt’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its athletic programs while maintaining the university’s academic and ethical standards. It also reflects SRM Concrete’s commitment to supporting local institutions and investing in the next generation of leaders.
For Vanderbilt Athletics, the SRM jersey‑patch partnership represents a strategic expansion of its sponsorship portfolio and a tangible benefit for student‑athletes across all sports. The partnership will be visible on the field, court and track as the Commodores compete in the 2026‑27 season and beyond.
