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RICK BYRD CHARACTER LEADERSHIP
BRUIN CLUB WELCOMES COLLIN SONDERMAN
Belmont Athletics is pleased to announce the hire of Collin Sonderman to the position of Assistant Director of Athletic Development.
Reporting to newly elevated Executive Director of the Bruin Club Russell Grimm, Sonderman will support all aspects of Belmont University athletic fundraising, including the Bruin Club, the newly created Athletic Excellence Initiative, endowed athletic scholarships, The Betty Wiseman Mission Fund, facility projects, donor relations, hospitality, the Bruin Club Golf Classic and other special events.
“We are thrilled for Collin to join the Belmont Bruin family,” Grimm said. “Collin’s experience will prove valuable to his transition to Belmont. His friendly, easy-going nature, passion for college athletics, confidence in his ability to get the job done and clear desire to be at Belmont shone through in the interview process. Additionally, his impeccable references spoke to his ability and readiness to take the next step and advance his career in athletic development here at Belmont.”
Sonderman spent the past year as a Development Assistant for Membership Services for The Rams Club at the University of North Carolina, part of a team that raised over $500 million for the Campaign for Carolina Athletics and $12.5 million for the Rams Club Annual Fund.
His responsibilities extended to donor relations, football and men’s basketball pre-game hospitality, student worker management, data analysis and digital media. Sonderman was also a ticket and donor relations advocate during North Carolina’s March Madness run to the National Championship game.
“Collin’s appointment is a clear nod to the positive trajectory Belmont Athletics—and more specifically the Bruin Club—continues to follow under the leadership of President Greg Jones, Director of Athletics/ Vice President Scott Corley and Vice President of Advancement Perry Moulds. I am appreciative of their efforts to help us grow the Bruin Club staff as we aim to support our student-athletes and coaches at a higher level than ever before.”
Sonderman also spent three years working for the Seahawk Club at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Of note, Sonderman helped raise $1.09 million for scholarships at UNCW in 2020-21, the second-highest total in Seahawk Club history.
A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Sonderman earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing strategy. Sonderman’s first day at Belmont was June 6, 2022.
COLLIN SONDERMAN Assistant Director of Athletic Development
615.460.5051 // COLLIN.SONDERMAN@BELMONT.EDU
Russell Grimm was promoted to Executive Director of the Bruin Club in May 2022.
Hired as Director of Athletic Fundraising in 2016, Grimm has spearheaded a 1,700 percent increase in giving to athletics and 300 percent increase in annual fund giving over the last six years.
Grimm oversees all aspects of Belmont University athletic development, including the Bruin Club, the newly created Athletic Excellence Initiative, endowed athletic scholarships, The Betty Wiseman Mission Fund, facility projects, donor relations, hospitality, the Bruin Club Golf Classic and other special events.
“Russell has been an incredible asset to Belmont Athletics,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics Scott Corley. “Through his dedication and hard work, our athletic fundraising has reached historic levels. The future of the Bruin Club is very bright under Russell’s leadership; I am excited for him on this well-deserved promotion.”
Added Vice President of University Advancement, Perry Moulds “Russell has grown all aspects of Athletic development, from significantly increasing Bruin Club membership and revenue to raising much needed support for Belmont’s transition to the Missouri Valley Conference. He is a steadfast leader in both the Departments of Athletics and Development. I could not be more happy to see Russell serve as the first Executive Director of the Bruin Club, and I look forward to seeing even greater success under his leadership.“
Grimm led gift conversations resulting in over 50 major gifts to Belmont Athletics and the creation of more than 25 new endowed scholarships.
Grimm previously served in athletic development roles at VCU, Boston College and Michigan.
The Franklin, Tennessee native graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2007 with a B.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media. Following his time in Knoxville, he moved back home to Nashville to pursue his Masters of Sport Administration from Belmont, graduating from the University’s MSA Program in 2009.
Russell and his wife Erin live in west Nashville with their dogs, Jackson & Franklin.
RUSSELL GRIMM Executive Director of the Bruin Club
615.460.5668 // RUSSELL.GRIMM@BELMONT.EDU
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DOES THE BELMONT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
NEED GIFTS TO THE BRUIN CLUB? The Bruin Club provides critical support of our student athletes and coaches. It also allows Belmont to address the rising costs that are associated with a highly competitive Division I program. The support of our members allows our coaches and our teams to build and maintain successful sports programs.
Your support is an investment in the lives of each student-athlete who wears the Belmont uniform. Bruin Club gifts primarily underwrite student-athlete scholarships but also support updated training facilities and equipment, team travel, academic support programs and other essential components required to support Belmont’s teams.
HOW DO I JOIN THE BRUIN CLUB? You can join by returning the enclosed membership form or contacting Russell Grimm, Executive Director of the Bruin Club, at russell.grimm@ belmont.edu or 615.460.5668. You can also make a gift by visiting BelmontBruinClub.com.
IS MY DONATION TO THE BRUIN CLUB TAX-
DEDUCTIBLE? Yes and no. Belmont University is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization. An acknowledgment letter will be sent to you upon receiving your gift and will serve as a receipt of your contribution. By law as of 1/1/2018, gifts that accrue seating benefits are NOT tax deductible. However, if you elect to decline seating benefits, your gift may be 100% tax deductible. As with any tax inquiry, you should consult with your tax advisor.
HOW IS MY MONEY USED? Your gift will contribute to the future success of our student-athletes. 100% of your Bruin Club donation goes to support the greatest needs of Belmont’s Athletic Department, as determined by the Athletic Director on an annual basis. These priorities vary from year to year but are always focused on enhancing our program for the benefit of our athletes and coaches. We need your continued help and support more and more each year as Belmont athletes strive to achieve success on and off the field.
WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR MY CONTRIBUTION?
The Bruin Club operates on a fiscal year calendar, in line with the University calendar. Therefore, Bruin Club memberships begin June 1 and end May 31 of the following year. For gifts that accrue seating benefits for men’s and women’s basketball, contributions must be received before season tickets are purchased.
DO I HAVE TO GIVE $100 TO BE A BRUIN CLUB MEMBER?
While we do accept and appreciate any and all financial contributions, your gift must meet the $100 minimum to receive Bruin Club membership benefits.
WHAT IS THE VINCE GILL ROOM? The Vince Gill Room serves as the main hospitality room for the Bruin Club. Located above the main concourse on the west side of the Curb Event Center, the Vince Gill Room overlooks the arena and serves as a place for Bruin Club members who contribute $1,000 or more and enjoy hospitality privileges before tip-off and during halftime of men’s and women’s basketball games.
DOES MY BRUIN CLUB MEMBERSHIP ALLOW ME TO
PURCHASE BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS? You do not have to give to the Bruin Club to purchase basketball season tickets. However, if you are interested in sitting in the Bruin Club sections (115 & 116), or enjoying the new courtside seats, a corresponding gift must be made. See the benefits chart for details.
WHY MUST I CONTRIBUTE TO HAVE ACCESS INTO THE
VINCE GILL ROOM OR SIT IN THE DESIGNATED BRUIN
CLUB SECTIONS? While we appreciate any and all financial contributions, we do require a minimum gift of $500 to purchase basketball season tickets in the Bruin Club section. We require a minimum gift of $1,000 to visit the Vince Gill Room for the pregame meal, halftime snack service and Chalk Talk. This is due to the cost of food and beverages served and the desire of the Bruin Club to ensure the benefits received at this contribution level are a commitment privilege.
For more information, please review the benefits chart in this membership guide, on our website at BelmontBruinClub.com or contact Russell Grimm, Executive Director of the Bruin Club at 615.460.5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
2022–23 BRUIN CLUB APPLICATION
TO MAKE YOUR GIFT ONLINE:
BELMONTBRUINCLUB.COM
OR PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORM TO:
Bruin Club Office of Development, Fidelity Hall 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212
Name ___________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________
Home Phone _____________________________________
Work Phone ______________________________________
Email Address ____________________________________
I AM JOINING AS A
q White Bruin ($100–499) q Silver Bruin ($2,500–4,999)
q Blue Bruin ($500–999) q Gold Bruin ($5,000–9,999
q Red Bruin ($1,000–2,499) q Platinum Bruin ($10,000+)
Enclosed is my gift of $ _____________________________
q Belmont Athletic Association Bruin Club
q Other sport _____________________________________
For additional information regarding Bruin Club benefits, please see page 15.
q I am interested in supporting Belmont’s Athletic
Facilities, please contact me!
q I am interested in “Curbside” seating if there is
availability ($1,000/seat annually plus cost of season ticket)
q I am interested in a Curb Event Center suite if
there is availability ($10,000–$12,500 annually)
CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE
