NEW YORK – The Vanderbilt contingent on hand for the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Dec. 13 is set to include some of Diego Pavia’s teammates as well as Commodores baseball coach Tim Corbin.
Corbin confirmed that he is in New York, having accepted an invite from Pavia to attend the event alongside Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea and others.
Lea said Corbin reached out to him about it ahead of time.
“You’re a Vanderbilt legend, man. You’ve done a lot for Diego. You belong there,” Lea said he told Corbin. “This is a celebration for all of us and a celebration of Diego. It’s everyone that cares about Diego, but also, it’s everyone that cares about him.”
Pavia said “probably like eight or nine” of his Vanderbilt teammates will attend. The quarterback mentioned running backs Makhilyn Young and Sedrick Alexander, but the majority of the group is expected to be Pavia’s offensive linemen.
“It’s his moment,” Lea said, “and it speaks to his selflessness and awareness of the fact that he’s only as good as they are good.”
Space can be limited at the Heisman event, which is now in its fifth year being broadcast from the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room. Each finalist’s school is given an allotment of seats.
Meeting with the media on the eve of the ceremony as one of this season’s four Heisman finalists, Pavia spoke at length about his relationship with Corbin. The two-time NCAA champion baseball coach has been a regular on the sideline this season at Vanderbilt football games and spoke to Lea’s team prior to victory at Tennessee.
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“Obviously, you get driven off the road or whatever in your own head, and Coach Corbs kind of brought me back to earth,” Pavia said. “I met with him at least once a week every single week during the season. He was true, someone I could come to with anything. …
“He’s the best. He’s the best coach in baseball. I’ve been in recruiting meetings with him. I’ve been in recruiting stuff with other kids. I’ve been in some of his team meetings. He’s hilarious, too. Maybe you guys don’t get to see that side of him.”