What is a Vanderbilt Man?<\/h3>\n
When you walk in the football meeting room, there is a graphic on the wall of a football player with the title: “The Vanderbilt Man Committed & Trained.<\/strong>” This concept has three points of focus: the head representing “Intelligence”, the eyes representing “Singularly Focused”, and the heart representing “Character & Integrity.” It is important to realize these are the qualities head coach Derek Mason has instilled in his team since his hiring in January of 2014. In fact, in his first speech as head coach he said, “We all aspire to greatness and that is where we are going to go”.<\/p>\n Burks has taken that aspiration for greatness to a new level. He talked about Mason’s motivation, “He encourages us to give maximum effort in everything we do no matter what it is. Coach Mason really lets guys develop in their own way.” Burks also added “He genuinely cares about his players. I don’t think that can be said for every coach in college athletics.” Using Mason as an example and an inspiration,\u00a0Burks is leading his own charge off the field.<\/p>\n In July, SEC<\/strong> commissioner Greg Sankey<\/strong> gave his State of the SEC address to kick off SEC Media days. In his speech<\/a><\/strong>, the commissioner referenced Burks multiple times. The commissioner called Burks \u201ca young man not waiting to lead \u2014 he\u2019s leading now.\u201d These statements propelled Burks\u00a0into the spotlight.\u00a0He became the appointed voice<\/strong><\/a> for the student-athletes on addressing the sensitive social issues. He embraced the role with confidence and poise. Burks’ extensive activities off the field surely made the transition to spokesman effortless.<\/p>\n Burks is a co-founder of the organization REVAMP<\/a><\/strong> (Revitalizing and Empowering Vanderbilt\u2019s African-American Male Population).\u00a0REVAMP formed to unite all the African-American males across campus. “It’s a networking opportunity to get to know each other and support each other. As well as a platform to become stronger together to dispel negative stereotypes on campus as well as in society.” REVAMP TALKS sessions are the last Thursday of every month. Members can get together to vent and learn from each other.<\/p>\n They also empower each other to make the biggest impact they can in their area of the campus. Vanderbilt University awarded REVAMP Most Outstanding Organization of 2015-2016. The biggest\u00a0event<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to date was ‘The Other Big League’, where former athletes came back to speak about their experiences as a D-1 athlete as well as their transition into a professional life outside of sports.<\/p>\n Obviously his hard work and service have not gone unnoticed. Burks is a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy<\/a>,<\/strong> a prestigious community service award. He is a member of the 25th Anniversary\u00a0Allstate AFCA Good Works Team<\/a><\/strong>. This award celebrates student-athletes for acts of good in their communities.<\/p>\n Burks serves as the Vanderbilt representative for the SEC Athletics Committee<\/strong>. He is also President of the Vanderbilt\u00a0Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)<\/strong>. \u201cI have been learning how we (as a committee) can communicate with the administration. We can have an impact in community service…I thought it\u2019s a great way to use my platform to make a difference in the community.\u201d \u00a0He participated in “Operational Excellence<\/a><\/strong>,”\u00a0a unique player development program.<\/p>\n At the same time, Burks had an internship with Soles4Souls<\/strong>. He quickly recruited seven of his teammates to complete the Soles4Souls Sole Challenge<\/strong>. Not to mention Burks also works with the Project SAFE center<\/a><\/strong>. Project Safe educates students about domestic violence as well as sexual assault. Additionally, Project SAFE offers\u00a0extensive resources<\/a><\/strong> for awareness and prevention as well as educational resources. He is changing the world, one small step at a time.<\/p>\n Notably, Burks is in a new role on the field this season. The “star” position that Mason and Mark Mattioli<\/strong>\u00a0created for him is a hybrid position of outside linebacker and safety. Burks explained: “It ultimately gets more speed and strength on the field.\u201d Burks enjoys playing defense, \u201cIt is awesome to me, I have a good time wherever Mason puts me…I\u2019m out there flying around the field.” \u00a0When asked if he felt pressure or extra swagger with the star position his response was humble, as one might expect. “I think it\u2019s a little bit of extra swagger, but at the end of the day it\u2019s a role on the defense. I have to do my job with the people around me to be successful. It is not any extra pressure.”<\/p>\n Last year, Burks had a career high of 58 tackles and led the Commodores<\/strong> with three interceptions. \u00a0He also won SEC Player of The Week with two interceptions against Kentucky. So far this season (through Week 5), Burks has 13 solo tackles, eight assists, two sacks, five pass break-ups as well as an interception that he ran back for 59 yards. Burks is definitely \u201cflying around the field\u201d.<\/p>\n Ultimately Burks acknowledges his support system. \u00a0“I could not get any of this done if it weren’t for my family, friends and my coaches. Everyone is encouraging and willing to help me achieve more.” He shared his words to live by \u201c\u2019Be where your feet are\u2019<\/em> so if you\u2019re on the football field you focus 100% on the football field.<\/p>\n \u2019Be where your feet are\u2019 –Oren burks<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you are in the classroom, you focus 100% on the classroom. \u00a0If you are with student organizations or community service, you need to focus all your attention there. \u00a0With that mindset you eliminate the distractions of everything else going on.” \u00a0Burks is living proof that anyone can do anything and everything if they put their whole heart and mind into it.<\/p>\n Lastly, Burks is working on a double major\u00a0in Economics and Human & Organizational Development. His success in the classroom has earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times.<\/p>\n Oren Burks is committed and trained. He is intelligent and singularly focused in his service to others. Burks is a man of character and integrity. As a result of his work this summer in the non-profit sector Burks has set his sights on doing more for nonprofit\u00a0organizations\u00a0after graduation. If more people aspired to serve half as much as this young man, our country\u2019s turbulent tide would turn into a community of calmness. Oren Burks is more than a football player. He is more than a Vanderbilt man. He is a man changing the world. One play at a time.<\/p>\n Main Photo:<\/p>\nCommitted<\/h3>\n
Character<\/h3>\n
Integrity<\/h3>\n
![\"14585711_10153996683261134_672897220_o\"](\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/10\/14585711_10153996683261134_672897220_o-1024x711.jpg\")
Trained<\/h3>\n
Singularly Focused<\/h3>\n
Intelligence\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n