Nash's Dream

February 29, 2024

Baseball

Meet Nash

Meet Nash! This 10 year old super star from Maryville, TN is the definition of grit. This young athlete loves baseball and is a huge fan of University of Tennessee. Nash has dreams of hitting a home run and celebrating with his own Daddy Hat!

Nash live with Cystic Fibrosis, which due to it’s effect on the lungs, makes it a challenge for this young man to do what he loves…but he would never let anything stop him from playing baseball! Nash continues to pursue the sport he loves most with determination and perseverance.

The University of Tennessee Collegiate Dream Team is thrilled to have Nash as their 2023 Dream Recipient. Nash’s ultimate sports dream is to be a VIP at a UT baseball game and meet the team. The UT CDT team is hard at work and they can’t wait to make his Dream come true!

Nash's Dream

Day one of Nash’s University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dream was amazing! The UT Collegiate Dream Team surprised Nash at Coulter Grove Intermediate School, where he was so awestruck it took him a few moments to even realize what was happening! He was gifted his own “Daddy Hat” and fur coat, which is what is given to Tennessee Baseball players when they hit a home run. As a UT Baseball superfan, Nash was SO excited to receive his own version of this Vols baseball tradition.

From here, the crew headed to the VolShop for a shopping spree where Nash was able to pick all kinds of UT goodies. He left with arms full of new swag as we headed to watch Tennessee Basketball take down #11 Auburn. Nash was invited to announce the team as they came back on to the court after halftime and even got some autographs postgame! He was especially excited to meet his favorite player, Dalton Knecht.

Day two of Nash’s University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dream was just as great as day one. The day started off with a special tour of Neyland Stadium where Nash got a tour of the media room, locker room, and so much more.

After a delicious Raising Canes lunch, Nash ran a few laps around the track before heading over to Tennessee Baseball practice! Nash got the VIP treatment and watched the entire practice from the dugout. He even got in some pitching practice with Kirby Connell and Drew Beam.

Nash was able to watch batting practice with coach Tony Vitello and chat with all the players while they waited. At the end of practice, Nash was introduced to the team and was able to get a ton of autographs. He was also able to to practice pitching from the mound so he could have the perfect first pitch at the next day’s game.

After a long day of fun, Nash got to enjoy a delicious steak at Ruth’s Chris where the night ended with a special cake from the Ruth’s Chris team.

Day three of Nash’s University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dream was a home run. The day started at Topgolf where everyone on staff was so excited to celebrate him. After lots of laughs, we headed to the Tennessee Baseball game where Nash threw out the first pitch! After smiling to a cheering crowd, Nash hung in the dugout with the team before the game started.

The crew watched the Vols win 11-1, so celebrating with the team and getting autographs post-game was made even sweeter!

Nash's Dream

Meet Nash

Nash's Dream

Dream Snapshots

Thank you to our National Collegiate Dream Team Sponsor, Volvo Construction Equipment