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A resolution honoring Shan Foster upon the retirement of his jersey from Vanderbilt University.
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WHEREAS, on Saturday, February 5, 2022, Vanderbilt University will retire the jersey of Shan Foster, No. 32. The jersey will hang from the historic Memorial Gymnasium; and
WHEREAS, Foster becomes the third Vanderbilt men's basketball player to have his jersey retired, following Clyde Lee and Perry Wallace; and
WHEREAS, Foster is Vanderbilt's all-time leader in points (2,011), and 3-point shots made (367) and holds the Southeastern Conference record for consecutive games (34) with a 3-pointer made; and
WHEREAS, Foster was named SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year, All-SEC four years in a row, 1st-team All-American by Rivals.com, and All-American for the Associated Press in 2007-2008. He played for the USA Team in the 2007 Pan American games held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and
WHEREAS, Foster was the Lowes Senior CLASS Award winner, given to the nation's senior leader in community, classroom, character, and competition; and
WHEREAS, Foster graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development and a minor in religion in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Foster was a second-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks in the 2008 NBA Draft; and
WHEREAS, Foster subsequently played professionally in Italy, Turkey, Belgium, and the Dominican Republic, as well as in the NBA D-League; and
WHEREAS, Foster was inducted to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, and was honored as a SEC Legend during the 2016 SEC Basketball Tournament; and
WHEREAS, Foster has served his community as the Executive Director of AMEND Together and Vice President of External Affairs at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. AMEND Together is an initiative that engages men and boys to end violence against women and girls. He recruits, educates, and equips men and boys to advocate for violence prevention and cultural change; and
WHEREAS, Foster is an enthusiastic leader, gifted public speaker, and skilled facilitator. He is committed to elevating the conversation about violence against women, engaging men to be leaders and role models, and educating young men and boys about healthy masculinity and respect. He is a frequent speaker before national and international corporations, regional and national conferences, local and state government entities, and collegiate and national sports programs, including the National Football League and Major League Soccer. Under his leadership, AMEND Together has grown to a nationally recognized program with expansion to Illinois, Virginia, California, Ohio, and New York; and
WHEREAS, before his work at YWCA, Shan served as a founding member for the Intrepid College Preparatory Charter School in Nashville, where he now is a contributing board member. He is a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Nashville class, where he currently serves on the board of trustees. Foster also serves on the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board, Nashville Sports Council, and Martha O'Bryan Center's Explore Community School. Foster is on the advisory committees for Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, and serves on the Vanderbilt University Athletics Committee. He most recently was selected Nashville's 2019 40 Under 40, 2019 Nashville Emerging Leader Award Winner, and 2020 Power 100 Disruptors; and
WHEREAS, Foster is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fostering Healthy Solutions, LLC., a diversity and inclusion consultancy; and
WHEREAS, Foster is the Author of What Hurt Didn't Hinder: A Memoir; and
WHEREAS, Foster is married to Ariele Johnson Foster.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring Shan Foster upon the retirement of his jersey from Vanderbilt University.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Shan Foster.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.