BEHIND THE BRUINS

Each day, Belmont’s 250 student-athletes are supported by a passionate, skilled athletic administration dedicated to providing them the best possible experience academically and athletically while on campus. Their hard work often goes unnoticed behind-the-scenes. Here are some of their stories...

Q&A WITH

15TH YEAR AT BELMONT KIM ANDERSON

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT BELMONT AND WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? I’ve been at Belmont almost 15 years. I moved to Nashville and started in August 2006. The people have kept me here, without a doubt. This year has been a challenge, but it has not been the only challenging year. I have been through multiple ups and downs at Belmont but the people I work with daily are top-notch and the reason I have stayed throughout the years.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE HERE? First and foremost, to promote and protect the health and safety of the student-athletes. But I also see a huge part of my role in helping to develop our student-athletes. I want them to be able to advocate for and know how to manage their health care needs when they graduate.

THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY TRYING FOR THE ENTIRE COLLEGE

ATHLETICS COMMUNITY. AS A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, YOU HAVE SHOWN TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP IN YOUR ROLE. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK THE PAST YEAR IN SUCH A CHALLENGING TIME? Challenging is a great word to describe this year because it has certainly been so. There were days that I had no answers, and everything seemed to be going wrong, but feeling the support of the people I work with daily made those challenges manageable. In no way would I want to relive any part of this past year, but I am also trying to find some of the positives. This year has allowed Sports Medicine to build and foster relationships on campus and I have met even more of the great people that work at Belmont.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE YOU’VE FACED AT BELMONT? I would say there are two experiences that really stand out in my mind. One of my first years at Belmont we had a women’s basketball athlete that was experiencing very odd allergic reactions, and nothing seemed to make sense about when they occurred or the trigger for these events. With the help of the team physician at that time, we were able to figure out what was causing the allergic episodes and help her manage day-to-day life so she could continue to participate in her sport. Second would be working with a men’s basketball athlete following an injury in the semi-finals of the OVC tournament and in a short amount of time returning him to health so he could participate in the NCAA tournament game and getting to be part of that win.

DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC COLLEAGUES YOU GO TO IN TRYING TIMES HERE? There are so many. There are people who I know will make me smile/laugh (Heather Copeland and Brian Ayers). People who help talk through things or just let me vent (Renee Schultz and Matt Crahan). But my #1 go-to is Colette Keyser…she is beyond special! One of the most caring, loving, supportive people I know. There is ZERO doubt that without her I would not still be at Belmont. Every day I feel like she is my biggest cheerleader, motivator and friend.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE BELMONT ATHLETICS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? I hope we continue to grow and win on the field, court, track, etc., but my biggest hope is that Belmont always stays a place where the athletes are people first and everyone is invested in helping them grow over the four or five (maybe six with COVID!!!) years at Belmont in all aspects of life. I love being part of a community that is invested in the people.

BELMONT MEN’S BASKETBALL HAS ENJOYED GREAT SUCCESS IN YOUR

TIME HERE. WHAT ARE YOU TOP-5 MEMORIES BEING ON THE BENCH ALL THESE YEARS? 1. 2018 win at UCLA. Growing up as college basketball fan, just being in Pauley Pavilion was incredible but getting the win was something I will always remember. 2. 2019 win vs Temple in NCAA First Four in Dayton. The memory that will stick with me is after winning and frantically traveling to play the next game in Jacksonville, having to find Coach Byrd’s lost suitcase on the band bus at 3:30 a.m. with Debbie Chenoweth - it had been hidden by tuba cases. 3. Saturday, Feb 1st 2020 win at Jacksonville State. No explanation needed – the guys on the team will understand why. 4. 2020 OVC Championship game win over Murray State. 5. And this one didn’t happen on the bench but one of the best memories I will always have is Debbie Chenoweth teaching me to knit on the bus. (And the best part—I won’t tell you names, but there are a few guys out there that know some good stitches, thanks to those lessons)

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE FORMER PLAYERS THAT DESERVE A SHOUT OUT? This is a hard one to answer. There have been so many, but I don’t think anyone would be surprised if I answered Mack Mercer to this question. He unfortunately spent more time sitting beside me at practice and games than he did on the court, but man, did we make the best of it! If anyone ever needs a great explanation of the Amazon Prime Show “Man in the High Castle” he is your man!

YOU DESERVE A LONG VACATION AFTER THIS PAST YEAR. WHERE ARE

YOU GOING AND WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ENJOYMENT WHILE GETTING TO “UNPLUG?” I really enjoy being outside and being active. So, vacation location still to be determined but I can tell you one thing - if it comes without cell service it would be high on the list!

Q&A WITH

31ST YEAR AT BELMONT STEVE BARRICK

ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT BELMONT AND WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE?As of June 1, 2021, I will have been at Belmont for 31 years. This is an easy one. The people at Belmont, and not just in the athletic department. All over campus: faculty, staff, student-athletes and coaches. It has been a great ride and I am truly blessed to have been able to call Belmont my work home for the past 30 years.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE HERE? As the Operations guy, I do a little bit of everything. Managing the Rose Park Sport Fields Complex for Belmont has evolved over the past 10 years as a primary job responsibility. One of my most favorite job duties is working as a liaison for the Athletic Department with the good folks in Campus Security, Facility Maintenance Service and the Curb Event Center. I have worked with so many good people and made wonderful friendships over the years.

SPECIFICALLY, YOU WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR PROGRAMS FROM AN OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT. HOW MUCH GOES INTO PUTTING ON A GAME/ MATCH/CONTEST THAT OUR FANS DON’T SEE? A good operations person is much like a good boxing referee. You never see them in the picture on television. They are always on the periphery. If you see them, something has happened and its usually not good. My world involves so many, many details. Game day is actually pretty easy if I do my homework before the game date. I work through my check list the week before a game, confirm those details leading up to the game and then re-confirm the details the day before a game. As games are live events, there will always be things that pop up during a game. after many years in the operations world, I can usually adapt pretty quickly to any issue that comes up.

I BELIEVE YOU ARE THE LONGEST TENURED BELMONT ATHLETICS

EMPLOYEE. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN BELMONT ATHLETICS EVOLVE IN ALL THOSE YEARS? So many, many changes. When I started to work in 1990, our offices were located in Striplin Gym. Coach Byrd, Coach Whitten, Coach Cross and the athletic department secretary had offices in Striplin Gym. Coach Cross’s office also served as the ticket office on game day. We have come a long way since 1990. I had dual work duties. I was Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach and also worked in the Office of Student Services as the Intramural Director. The AD/Dean of Students, Ken Sidwell, had an office in Fidelity Hall. Our Cross Country coach worked in Admissions. You knew everyone on campus. I guess we probably had a total of less than 100 studentathletes. Now we are around 275.

When I first started working at Belmont College, I was the youngest person in the Athletic Department. After 30 plus years, I am now the oldest. What a role reversal. I never saw this in my future. I have so many fond memories of so many good people that I dearly miss seeing on a daily basis. There have been so many outstanding individuals that I worked with over the years at Belmont that have since retired. Ken Sidwell, Betty Wiseman, Mike Strickland, Jamie Tillman, Dave Whitten, Rick Byrd, Tony Cross, Debbie Chenoweth and Don Purdy…now that is an All-Star lineup! I HAVE TRULY BEEN BLESSED. I can honestly say that the relationships that I had with these individuals shaped who I am today. And finally, the young ladies that I helped coach from 19901998 will always have a special place in my heart.

WHAT DOES COACH BARRICK DO FOR ENJOYMENT OUTSIDE OF WORK? I love to work in my yard. I love being outdoors when it is not too hot. Yard work helps me physically and also gives me some much needed “brainless” time. I can just enjoy being outdoors and not thinking about anything.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT BELMONT AND WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? I have been at Belmont for 24 years. I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the same athletic department staff and coaches that have been here with me all 24 years. Belmont Athletics is like a family whether you have been here as long as someone like me or you were just hired.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE HERE? I am responsible for administration of the compliance program for Belmont University’s 17 sports and monitor all adherence to NCAA and Ohio Valley Conference rules and regulations.

SPECIFICALLY, YOU WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR PROGRAMS FROM A COMPLIANCE STANDPOINT. HOW MUCH GOES INTO THE BACK-END TYPE WORK OF HELPING KEEP STUDENT-ATHLETES ELIGIBLE? It starts as early as our coaches identifying their recruits all the way through undergrad graduation (and sometimes graduate school). We educate the student-athletes every year on what they need to do to continue to be academically eligible. Our coaches do a great job recruiting prospects that want to be successful in the classroom and on the field. Our academic staff also plays a big role on helping the student-athletes with academic resources in order to remain eligible.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EXPERIENCED AT BELMONT? Watching my interns get compliance jobs after finishing their graduate degree and working their way up within the athletic department where they are employed or at a new university.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN BELMONT ATHLETICS EVOLVE IN ALL THOSE YEARS? There have been A LOT of changes in 24 years! Where we are today with the growth in facilities, athletic scholarships, athletic department staff and coaches, and budgets has helped us rise to a recognizable mid-major university.

CONVERSELY, HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE BELMONT ATHLETICS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? We can only get better if we continue to evolve in our facilities, athletic scholarships, athletic department staff and coaches and budgets.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ENJOYMENT OUTSIDE OF WORK? I enjoy spending time with my family, especially on vacations! We love going on trips to the mountains and the beach. I love reading and running too! Q&A WITH

24TH YEAR AT BELMONT HEATHER COPELAND

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR COMPLIANCE

Q&A WITH

20TH YEAR AT BELMONT COLETTE KEYSER

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR SPORT OPERATIONS

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT BELMONT AND WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? I will enter my 20th year of service at Belmont this fall. When I first started working here in 2002, I never dreamed my tenure would last as long as it has; however, I’ve formed very meaningful relationships with co-workers, both my department and across campus, and I realize Belmont offers a very special work environment. Our institution’s identity as a Christian community has laid the foundation for a very positive, supportive, and loving environment for our students and all of us who work here. I’m grateful that I can openly express my faith and recognize that colleagues at other institutions don’t have that same privilege.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE HERE? Like many people in college athletics, I wear multiple hats and have responsibility for a variety of functions including: managing our sports medicine and sports performance areas; overseeing game-day operations for our sports that compete at E. S. Rose Park; coordinating all Human Resource functions for the athletic department; overseeing our graduate assistant and internship programs; etc. I also serve as the academic advisor to our baseball program. At its core, my role is to support my colleagues and our student-athletes to help them achieve success.

SPECIFICALLY, YOU WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE BASEBALL PROGRAM FROM AN ACADEMIC SUPPORT, EMOTIONAL & MENTAL HEALTH AND OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SERVING IN SUCH A VITAL ROLE FOR THAT PROGRAM? What I enjoy most about my role with our baseball program is getting to know the young men on the team and watching them grow and mature over their time at Belmont. Here in Athletics, we are in a unique position to work one-on-one with studentathletes and make a positive impact on their lives – helping them stay on track academically; encouraging them to discover their gifts and talents; and holding them accountable, when needed. I’m convinced we have some of the best, all-around student-athletes in the country. They’re not perfect, and some need more help than others; but, there’s nothing more rewarding for me than to watch a young person evolve into the individual God created him or her to be. I consider it a privilege to be part of that process.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE YOU’VE FACED AT BELMONT? Without a doubt, my most challenging professional experience in college athletics occurred this past academic year as our department and University maneuvered the COVID-19 pandemic. My leadership skills and abilities were put to the test on a daily basis, but I am proud of the steps our department took to ensure a safe and successful return to competition.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST DAVE JARVIS STORY? Coach Jarvis and I have worked together for many years, and I consider him a very close friend. While I have plenty of funny stories I could share, my favorite Coach Jarvis story is one that continues year after year as I watch him pour his time and energy into the lives of his student-athletes. While he’s extremely competitive and loves to win, Coach Jarvis has great perspective and understands the most meaningful and important aspect of his work is developing the young athletes on his team into responsible young men. The players on his roster know he cares deeply for them and prioritizes their personal growth above their athletic development. He allows me to be part of that process with his athletes, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. A former player who is now in his mid-30s recently told me, “I don’t think you and Coach Jarvis realize how much of an impact you had on my life.” That comment from him sums up the work of Dave Jarvis as our head baseball coach.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? I’m big into outdoor activities, especially those that take me into remote places to enjoy nature and connect with God. I love kayaking, hiking, and mounting biking. Through these activities, I’ve discovered there are beautiful sites in nature you’ll never see or experience unless you get off the beaten path.

Q&A WITH

23RD YEAR AT BELMONT JOHN LANGDON

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE AND STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT BELMONT AND WHAT HAS

KEPT YOU HERE? I have been at Belmont for 23 years. Why have I stayed this long? I love this city, this University and this athletic department. It is such a special community. The athletic department is definitely a low-ego environment, where everyone works together to maintain the standards both on the playing field and in the classroom that were set by our past leaders… Rick Byrd, Mike Strickland and Betty Wiseman. Plus our student-athletes are a pleasure to be around. They are not only exceptional athletes on field and high achievers in the classroom, they are just good people and they make my job a pleasure to do.

AMONGST THE ATHLETIC STAFF, YOU ARE KNOWN AS “JOHN OF ALL TRADES” AND THE “MAYOR OF BELMONT.” HOW WOULD

YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE HERE? I have a title… Assistant Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Development… but it only describes part of the role I play here at Belmont. We have a small staff here in Athletics, so many of us have to wear many hats. I just make an effort to help out where needed… Whether it be a van driver, fill-in public address announcer, game administrator, media relations contact or scoreboard operator… I just want to make sure every athlete has a great experience here.

YOU’VE MANAGED TO STAY CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH MANY BELMONT STUDENT-ATHLETE ALUMNI OVER THE YEARS. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO DO THAT SO WELL AND WHAT ARE

SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SUCCESS STORIES? I think the reason I stay connected to student-athlete alumni is relationships I build while they are here as student-athletes. Building that relationship is really key to what we do here in Athletics. The student-athletes need to know that they are valued, supported and loved. A hello from across campus or just spending time talking and asking how they are doing can go a long way in solidifying that relationship. I try to do that on a daily basis and I think that has led to my continued connection to our alumni after they graduate.

Success stories … There isn’t one in particular. I would just say that we have produced a lot of impressive alumni during my tenure here and hopefully I played a small role in the success of many of them.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE BELMONT ATHLETICS CONTINUE

TO EVOLVE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? I just want Belmont Athletics to continue to set the standard of a being a department that has a winning culture, high academic standards, and prepares its student-athletes for success after graduation.

OVER ALL THE YEARS AT BELMONT, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP-5

FAVORITE “FAN” MOMENTS? 1. 2006 – When the men’s basketball team defeated Lipscomb in the A-Sun Championship to earn the department’s first NCAA Tournament berth. It verified the decision to move the program to the Division I level. It was probably the most stressful Belmont game I have watched in person. 2. 2020 – When Tyler Scanlon made the gamewinning layup against Murray State in the OVC Championship. 3. Belmont Baseball’s back to back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011 and 2012 and earning the department’s first NCAA Tournament win in 2011. 4. 2019 -- Men’s Basketball earning their first NCAA Tournament at-large berth and then getting their first NCAA win versus Temple. 5. Coach Byrd’s 800th win and later when we named the court after him. He is such a great mentor for myself and everyone in Athletics.

WHAT DOES THE MAYOR OF BELMONT DO OUTSIDE OF WORK

FOR FUN? I enjoy watching and attending sporting events in the area, playing golf, and traveling.

Q&A WITH

3RD YEAR AT BELMONT CHRISTIAN SADLER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC VIDEO OPERATIONS

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT BELMONT/ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING HERE? This June, I will have been at Belmont for my third year as a full-time staff member here in the Athletic department. However, in total I have been at Belmont for nine years as I attended Belmont for undergrad and graduate school.

By far my favorite thing about working at Belmont is the people. We have an amazing group of people in our department that truly invest in each other and our student-athletes. I’m a product of this—I was 18 years old when I joined the department as a student worker. I have had so many people pour into me and have helped me along the way. I’m the person I am today because of the people in this department and at this University.

It makes it so fulfilling to go to work and serve others knowing that everyone is doing their best to help uplift one another. This place is the example of “Servant leadership” in its truest form!

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN ATHLETICS? In my role I support all of our athletic programs by facilitating video and creative content for the department. Particularly in two major facets, first being live broadcasts which we stream to ESPN+. The second is creative content that we push out to social media, our website or that is used in-venue on our video boards. I also assist media relations in any sort of video content necessary to profile our programs, whether that be season previews, sit down interviews or long-form content to help engage our audience.

It is fair to say if it has to do with video in our department then myself or our video staff had a role in its creation!

HOW DO YOU ACCOMMODATE VIDEO NEEDS FOR ALL OF BELMONT’S 17 ATHLETICS PROGRAMS? A lot of time management, creativity, flexibility and a lot of grace from our coaches and student-athletes. Our coaches and student-athletes are so great, they work with me constantly on finding ways to be creative in telling their story and showcasing their programs. Knowing that gives me a lot of freedom to be strategic on what we create and the needed flexibility to adjust as things happen throughout the year.

If I were to break it down—I plan as best I can, communicate it as effectively as possible and adjust as necessary. The rest comes down to getting the work done.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/ FONDEST MEMORY WHILE AT BELMONT? There are so many amazing moments and memories and again I think that goes back to the people. You genuinely want to see people here succeed. So when our student-athletes walk across that gradation stage to receive their diploma, win a conference championship or land that huge internship they have been eyeing for three years it is all so exciting.

We joke about it in our office sometimes because I always ask: “What’s your why?” For me and for this place—it truly is the people. Whatever I am doing, whatever I am creating it is to help our student-athletes in some way. To invest in them. So to think in some small part I was a part of their journey and to see them be successful - that is definitely the best and most rewarding part of the job!

HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE BELMONT ATHLETICS EVOLVE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? My initial thoughts would be to continue to grow so we can offer more opportunities and experiences for our student-athletes. With that—I want to make sure we don’t lose who we “are”—which is being people first and a sort of “family.”

YOU SHARE AN OFFICE WITH JOHN LANGDON. WHAT’S IT LIKE SHARING AN OFFICE WITH A CAMPUS LEGEND EACH DAY? At first, it is a little overwhelming sharing an office with such a high-profile member of our campus community but once you get past that fact it really is a lot of fun. John does so much for this department and does a great job of being there to listen. I’ve learned a lot from him, not only in terms of professional development but also on how to be a genuinely good person who actively takes part in others lives.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ENJOYMENT OUTSIDE OF WORK? This might have been the hardest question for me to answer just because I put so much into my work and making sure I am being a resource for people here at Belmont. That said, when I am not here I really do enjoy getting away and “unplugging” from technology. Whether that be taking the weekend to grill out and take it easy, go fishing or even just sit down and read a book. Quiet moments I’ve found are the most rewarding.

If I’m not doing one of those things then I am usually somewhere cheering on the Braves—I’m a huge baseball fan.