C.M

The best part of leading a team is never keeping people in the building. It’s watching them outgrow it.

@a.derksen_ was already a champion, a four-time @ucf.rowing champion, before she ever reported to me. Then intern. Hospitality staff. Graduate assistant. Coordinator. Associate Director. Most recently, Director.

Every title, she earned. I just got to be in the room for it.

For five years, alongside @levy_renaud, she’s been my right hand. Not a phrase I use lightly. @varsity.knights doesn’t run the way it does without her.

That’s always been the goal. You don’t build people so they’ll stay. You lead them so they’re ready to go further than you can take them.

@ucf.knights didn’t just employ Aly, we got a front-row seat to who she was always going to be. Vanderbilt is inheriting someone extraordinary, and I couldn’t be prouder to have played a very small part in her journey.

Continue being great, @a.derksen_. @veronica_760 and I are grateful you’re such a big part of our lives, and your nephew CJ will miss you so much.

Just know we’ll be watching, proud every step of the way 🖤💛💪🏾

#VKGang #Family