Q&A WITH
Q&A WITH
3 R D Y E A R AT B E L M O N T
4 T H Y E A R AT B E L M O N T
JAMES WOODY
RYAN NEISES
COORDINATOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES AND SPORTS MINISTRY
H OW LO N G H AVE YO U B EEN AT B EL MO N T AN D W H AT KEEPS
W H AT I S T H E MOST REWA R DI N G P R O F E SSI O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
YO U H ERE? I have been at Belmont for 4 years. We have an
YO U’VE EXPERI EN C ED AT BE L M O N T ? Gosh there are so
amazing community and a great culture here in athletics. Our
many. Since I view my job as building relationships, it’s always
staff and coaches don’t just come into work to get a paycheck or
rewarding to see those grow. I love being a part of our student-
to check a box. There is a bigger purpose for what people do in
athletes’ lives for big moments and they experience big moments
their roles and why they do it. It’s evident in all our interactions
in mine as well. I’ve gotten to baptize a few athletes, officiate a
and care for each other and most importantly, our student-
wedding between two former Bruins, and even found out that I
CONVERSELY, HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE BELMO N T
athletes. I’ve always valued culture and community in an athletic
was going to be a dad on our athletic mission trip in Poland.
athletics is to oversee business operations for the department.
ATHLETICS CONTINUE TO G ROW AND CHANG E T H E N EXT
department over everything else, and Belmont is a special place
Some of my responsibilities include ensuring that we are
FIVE Y EARS? In the next five years, I would like to see Belmont
for both.
following university and athletic financially policies, overseeing
Athletics continue its focus on the student-athlete experience
the process of accounts payable and receivable, and completing
while also becoming a top competitor in the Missouri Valley.
H OW LONG H AV E YO U B E E N AT B E L M ONT AND W HAT HAS
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN BELMONT ATHLETICS EVO LVE I N YO UR
K EP T YOU H E R E ? I am entering my third year at Belmont and
TIME HERE? In my short time at Belmont, I have seen the Athletic
what keeps me here is the people. Belmont Athletics is filled
program evolve quickly with the addition of the Crockett Center,
with genuine individuals that are focused on providing student-
Hitting Facility, and move to the Missouri Valley Conference.
athletes with the best collegiate experience. They also care
These three major changes have opened many doors for our
about each other and create a family environment.
programs to grow and become even more successful.
H OW WOU L D YO U D E SC R I B E YOUR R OL E HE R E ? My role in
H OW H AVE YO U S EEN B E L M O N T AT H L E T I C S E VO LV E I N YO U R T I ME H ERE? I’ve seen Belmont Athletics commit to being
H OW WO UL D YO U D ES C RI B E YO UR RO L E H ERE? My role
more competitive while also emphasizing the student-athlete
involves a lot of things, but all of it has to do with the development,
experience more and more. I think we are headed to being the
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ENJ OY MENT OUTSIDE O F WO RK?
growth, and support of our student-athletes. I like to say that
best in the country in being balancing in both of those areas in
S P EC IF I CA L LY, YOU WOR K V E RY C LOS E LY W I TH OUR
Outside of work, I enjoy playing in an adult baseball league and
my role is about building relationships and helping our student-
an excellent way.
P RO GRA M S FR OM A B US I NE SS STAND POI NT. W HAT DOES
playing golf with friends and family.
athletes and athletic programs reach their full potential off the
and submitting financial reports.
YO U R DA I LY/ M O N TH LY/YE A R LY WOR K E NTAI L FR OM THAT STA N D P OI NT? On a daily basis, I interact with coaches and staff
on approval of purchases and budget questions. On a monthly basis, I reconcile and provide coaches and staff with budget reports. Then on a yearly basis, I oversee the budget creation process for the next fiscal year and submit reports on the previous year’s revenues and expenditures to the EADA, Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act and the NCAA.
court, field or track.
CO N VERS ELY, H OW D O YO U WA N T TO SE E BE L M O N T AT H L ET I C S CO N T I N UE TO G R OW A N D C H A N G E T H E N E X T F I V E
S PEC I F I CAL LY, YO U WO RK VERY C LOS ELY W I T H O UR
YEARS? We have an amazing staff. We should continue to grow
ST UD EN T-AT H L ET ES AN D PRO GRAMS F RO M AN ACAD EMI C ,
our resources and positions.
MI N I ST RY, AN D PERS O N AL D EVELO PMEN T STAN D PO I N T. W H AT D O ES YO UR DAI LY/ W EEKLY/ MO N T H LY WO RK EN TAI L F RO M T H AT STAN D PO I N T ? I meet with several student-athletes
weekly to ensure they have the support they need not only to succeed in the classroom but are also connected and happy at
WH AT I S T H E M OST R EWA R D I NG PR OFE SS I ONAL E X PERIENCE
Belmont. I monitor study hall and connect all our athletes with
YO U ’ V E E X P E R I E N C E D AT B E L M ONT? My most rewarding
tutoring resources specific to athletics. I advise our SAAC group,
professional experience at Belmont was my creation of an
which includes leaders from all our teams and help them with
interactive budget template. The Athletic Director prompted
their initiatives in mental health, community service, leadership
the task of creating a universal budget template for all sports.
development and more. Finally, I lead several weekly sports
I had a lot of fun modifying and creating the spreadsheet.
ministry events from FCA to bible studies. I also lead our athletic
Seeing the spreadsheet be useful in the budgeting process
mission trips. I’m always planning, recruiting and building global
was very rewarding.
partnerships for those.
W H AT D O YO U D O F O R E N JOY M E N T O U TSI DE O F WO R K ?
I love being with my wife and daughter. I love to travel, experience new places and try all the Nashville restaurants I can.
33 | 2022–23 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
2022–23 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE | 32
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BUDGET AND FINANCE
