WELCOME BACK 2008

HomecomingSPECIAL HOMECOMING SECTION BELMONT VISION

BRUISER MASCOT Coming home for “Red, White and Bruin” I Things heat up at the bonfire and pep rally, 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8. I Take your seat in the Curb for a doubleheader against the North Florida Ospreys, men’s game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, followed by the women’s game at 4:15. I Take a look at the Homecoming calendar, belmont.edu, and find even more events, among them academic lectures, Greek and grad reunions and Belmont at the renowned Bluebird Cafe. HC Page 2 The Belmont Vision Special Homecoming Section, January 31, 2008 LAWANNA HOLIDAY SOPHOMORE POINT GUARD

If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? Oprah Who are you rooting for in the presidential race? I don’t know, none have caught my eye. What is your favorite snack food? Anything, except for peanuts and peanut but- ter. I’m a college student. What do you do to relax? I read my Bible, hang with friends and sleep. What is your most treasured possession? My life LaWanna Holiday What is your favorite time of day? Major: Accounting Nighttime, because I can do what I want Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? Jesus, Mom and Dad My family and friends

SHARDE BURKHEAD JUNIOR FORWARD

What was the first concert you saw? Naughty by Nature If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? Donald Trump What is your most treasured possession? Baby nephew, Malachi What goes through your mind when you first enter the court for a game? Man, I hope Coach Cross plays me today! If there were a movie made about you, whom would you cast as yourself? Halle Berry Shardé Burkhead What’s your favorite time of the day? Jessica Bobbitt, Kristin Bunch and Amber Rockwell are in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Major: Public Relations Lunchtime Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? My family My Dad. Friends through

TEREVA MOORE SOPHOMORE FORWARD GUARD the years By Jeanette Ceja STAFF WRITER Who are you rooting for in the presidential Jessica Bobbitt, Kristin Bunch and race? Amber Rockwell may have busy sched- About the group: Obama ules with classes, basketball practice and games, but they also share a special con- What’s on your iPod right now? nection. They are all also members in the Amber Rockwell: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Junior, Exercise Mary J. Blige – “Just Fine” Belmont. Science major What’s your favorite snack food? They all began their freshman year at Belmont in the fall of 2005. Jessica Chips and ranch dip Kristin Bunch: recalled when she first heard about the Junior. Exercise What do you do to relax? sorority being on campus. “I did not get involved until my sopho- Science major Get a massage from my boo Chris Brown (LOL) more year. I got emails about it and decid- What is your most treasured possession? ed to get in the process,” Bobbitt said. She Jessica Bobbitt: also had a very close connection with Junior, Nursing Major My money, my family and my championship Delta Sigma Theta before she joined. rings “My mom is a Delta,” she said. What is the first thing that comes to your mind The experience seems to keep them busy balancing their schedules. “Basketball takes priority, we miss a lot of Tereva Moore when you enter the basketball court for a meetings but they understand,” says Rockwell. “I learned time manage- game? ment wise – it teaches you a lot of stuff if you want to get in,” said Major: Nursing Look at all our fans in the stands! Rockwell. Playing basketball and being in a sorority together, they can have more If you were a car, what would you be? What can’t you live without? memories to take with them after they graduate. “It’s like a bonus – we are A hot sexy Corvette Food!!!! Ahh and my family too!!! already close because of basketball. When basketball’s going to end, our sisterhood is what is going to last a lifetime,” said Bunch. The Belmont Vision, January 31, 2008 HC Page 3 KRISTIN BUNCH SOPHOMORE GUARD

What was your best Halloween costume? A homeless person What was the first concert you saw? Usher What is on your iPod right now? That good mix What is your favorite snack food? Cookies What do you do to relax? PHOTO COURTESY OF DREAMCATER PHOTOGRAPHY Listen to slow Jamz, take a bubble bath and Sports and friends brought former basketball player Michael Modlin and current player Brooke Sunday together. relax What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you enter the basketball court for a Kristin Bunch game? A beautiful Those girls are so ugly Major: Exercise Science What is your favorite time of day? Who is your hero? Nighttime because I like to boogie bond Jesus is my homeboy through JESSICA BOBBITT JUNIOR CENTER

What was the first concert you saw? basketball Destiny’s Child/ Christina Aguilera If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? Sunday, Modlin plan Beyonce What is on your iPod right now? August wedding A bunch of R&B artists What do you do to relax? By Jeannette Ceja STAFF WRITER Listen to the soulful sounds of Vivian Green Brooke Sunday and Michael Modlin share something special in com- What is your most treasured possession? mon. They both played basketball for Belmont at one time, and they are getting married this year. My iPod, duh! Sunday is a senior social work major and will graduate from Belmont What is the first thing that comes to your mind this May. Modlin graduated from Belmont in 2006 and is studying at the when you enter the basketball court for a University of North Carolina’s School of Dentistry. Jessica Bobbitt game? The engaged couple is planning for their wed- ding in August. What I’m going to eat after the game Major: Nursing “It’s definitely exciting What is your favorite time of the day? sometimes overwhelming,” Who is your hero? Sunday said. “The season’s When I am asleep going well, but we do not get to God/my parents see each other as much.” This is about to change: she is going to move to North Carolina this summer. SHAUNDA STRAYHORN SOPHOMORE POINT GUARD Before they were on the fast track to marriage, Modlin remembers the first time he Who are you rooting for in the presidential saw Sunday. He was lifting weights when she walked past him on her way race? to get a physical. Sunday remembers meeting him her freshman year when Obama or Clinton; it’s a win win, either first she was a at a Towering Traditions event. She had a boyfriend at the time, black or first woman but that relationship ended after her first semester. Sports and friends were the elements that brought them together. If you were a car, what would you be? “We have mutual friends and interests,” said Sunday. “We would go watch each other play.” Lambo Sunday and Modlin were both in What’s on your iPod right now? season playing basketball. Although they did not have any classes togeth- A lot of Lil’ Wayne er, Modlin wished they did. They What’s your most treasured possession? were able to spend time together in her second semester. My life “I always thought she was cute,” What is the first thing that comes to your mind Modlin said. Playing on the basket- when you enter the basketball court for a ball team seemed to strengthen their connection. “Definitely, the fact that game? we were both around basketball made Hope I don’t play like crap the bond stronger,” he added. Shaunda Strayhorn “I am proud of the year she is What is your favorite time of day? having. She has an amazing work Major: Exercise Science Naptime ethic – the way she plays and in the classroom,” Modlin said. “She is a great girl – I am a lucky guy.” What is your favorite snack food? What can’t you live without? Cookies!!! Car, my dad and my dog HC Page 4 The Belmont Vision Special Homecoming Section, January 31, 2008 BRITTNEY EVERHART FRESHMAN GUARD Depth, athleticism What was the first concert you saw? Shania Twain If you could be anyone famous, who would you mark men’s team be? By Jordan Drake Victoria Beckham (so I could marry David FOR THE VISION Beckham) Coming off of back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, Belmont was under immense pressure to continue to raise its program to another What is your favorite snack food? level. So far...so good. The Bruins (13-8, 5-2) are second place in the Apples and peanut butter Atlantic Sun tournament – behind only surprising Jacksonville (9-9, 5-1), who Belmont will play Feb. 7 at the Curb Event Center. What do you do to relax? Senior guard Justin Hare, who is a two-time MVP of the A-Sun Sleep or listen to music Tournament, continues to pace his team with 15.5 points per game and an amazing .927 percentage. However, Hare has some help – most- What is the first thing that comes to your mind ly from two juniors who have raised their game to another level. Player A when you enter the basketball court for a averaged 5 points per game last year. Player B averaged 7 points per game game? and shot a pedestrian 35 percent from beyond the arc. Player A, junior forward Shane Dansby, who just might be the most I think how I am not going to let anyone on physically gifted athlete to ever play for the Bruins, is growing into a force. Brittney Everhart the other team outplay me. His 13.5 points per game, his .527 percentage and 5.9 rebounds What’s your favorite time of the day? per game speak volumes to why Dansby is on his way to all-conference Major: Biology awards. The most impressive feat for Dansby is that he is extremely consis- Lunchtime tent as evidenced by scoring in double-digits in 18 straight games. Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? Player B, junior Matthew Dotson, is averaging 11.3 points and is shoot- My dad ing 42 percent from three-point land. The forward has progressed each year My friends and family since landing on Belmont’s campus and may very well be looking at all- conference honors, too. Junior guard Andy Wicke is continuing to shed the notion of being just a three-point specialist. He leads the team in successful threes (47), but he AMBER ROCKWELL JUNIOR GUARD also does so many of significant but less showy little things that don’t show up in a stat book. The Hendersonville product plays stifling defense and What was your best Halloween costume? plays with a contagious all-out attitude. His running mates, transfer Alex Renfroe, Henry Harris and Jordan Campbell, complete the Bruins’ solid Thug backcourt. Following the departure of centers Boomer Herndon and What was the first concert you saw? Andrew Preston, sophomore Keaton Belcher, an outside threat (35 treys), and junior Will Peeples are filling the gap quite nicely in the frontcourt. Neyo and Chris Brown Always a staple of a Rick Byrd-coached team, the Bruins continue to If you could be anyone famous, who would you make a living beyond the arc with 90 more three-pointers made than their be? opponents. However, Belmont has improved its rebounding margin (odd, as the team is much smaller than last year’s team) and maintains a nice 1.2 Michael Jordan to turnover ratio. On homecoming, Belmont plays host to struggling North Florida (1-17, Who are you rooting for in the presidential 0-6). Junior guard Tom Hammonds, a transfer from East Carolina, has been election? one of the few bright spots this season. Not only have the Ospreys lost 15 Obama consecutive games, their only win comes against Concordia College in New York. The preceding evidence will not be presented to the Bruin play- If you were a car, what kind would you be? ers from always humble yet hungry coach Byrd, though. Expect Belmont to Lamborghini come out and play as hard as they did to knock off Alabama earlier in the season and take home a convincing win. What is the first thing that comes to your mind Amber Rockwell when you enter the basketball court for a Men’s basketball game? Major: Exercise Science They are going down! Who is your hero? What is your favorite snack food? The good, the My parents Gushers bad, the ugly WHITNEY SEALS FRESHMAN GUARD The Good: To start, the Bruins got their first win – on a Justin Hare last-second shot – against a Southeastern Conference team in 13 tries. The victory in Tuscaloosa will be a nice resume builder in hopes of a No. 14 seed in the NCAA tournament if they win the Atlantic Sun Tournament. If you were a car, what would you be? Belmont also defeated Big East middle man Cincinnati. The Bruins have A Hummer H3 also gotten off to a solid conference start at 5-2. It is extremely pivotal for Belmont to finish in the upper-echelon of the conference to improve its What is your favorite childhood memory? conference tournament position and slate. Senior all-conference guard Hare has not experienced any senior season set-back and juniors Shane Dansby Going to Disney World and Matthew Dotson are playing at an all-conference level. Not to be for- What’s on your iPod right now? gotten, the Bruins defeated Lipscomb in double overtime at Allen Arena- sans Hare. Everything from old to new, rock to rap and country to alternative. The Bad: Belmont dropped conference games to mediocre What do you do to relax? Campbell and Kennesaw State. However, both games were on the road and losing at Campbell’s landmine of an arena, Carter’s Gymnasium, is noth- Hang out and watch TV or lay out by the pool ing to cry about. The Bruins also lost to MTSU and Austin Peay (twice), If there were a movie made about you, whom though Belmont won round one against MTSU in convincing fashion. Guard Andy Wicke is not his usual self behind the arc (36 percent), but ? would you cast as yourself leads the team in made threes. Jennifer Aniston The Ugly: The only game Belmont was run out of the gym in Whitney Seals What is your favorite time of day? was against Atlantic 10 front-runner Xavier. A 41-point loss against a top- Evening 25 team is a wake-up call to anyone who believes the Bruins can upset a Major: Education top-10 team in the NCAA Tournament. However, that was almost three What can’t you live without? months ago, and Belmont has found a nice groove of late – winning six of What was the first concert you saw? My friends the past eight. – Jordan Drake Backstreet Boys The Belmont Vision, January 31, 2008 HC Page 5 Top 10 things RACHEL SWISHER FRESHMAN POST If you could be anyone famous, who would you a Bruin fan be? Julia Roberts If you were a car, what kind would you be? should know A Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s my favorite vehi- cle. 10. We sit in the middle!!! We don’t sit in the end zones like most What is your favorite snack food? games you will see on ESPN! Nutty Bars 9. It’s OK to paint What do you do to relax? one’s face or entire body for the cause. Watch TV and movies We like red and If there were a movie made about you, whom blue, but other col- would you cast to play yourself? ors may be used as accents. Julia Roberts with blonde hair Rachel Swisher What’s your favorite time of the day? 8. Don’t ever wear 6 o’clock – time to relax or game time another school’s Major: Physical education shirt, shorts, jersey, What can’t you live without? socks, underwear, What is your most treasured possession? etc. to Belmont’s TV games. And don’t My baby blanket wear “Lipscomb Purple,” even if it’s emblazoned with the Bruins logo. BRITTNEY MYERS SENIOR GUARD

7. Make sure you are there early! What was the first concert you saw? Don’t miss the tip off! The Dixie Chicks What’s on your iPod right now? 6. The Belmont Norah Jones, Al Green and some Jack Johnson Face and body paint, preferably in red and blue, is Student Section in not only acceptable but highly complimented by the Curb is called What is your favorite snack food? admiring fans who are less adventurous. the Byrd Cage! Apples and almonds Don’t forget it! What do you do to relax? 5. Don’t let parents of the other team tell you to sit down!!! Tell Put the TV on the Food Channel and lay down them they are in the Belmont Student Section and we NEVER SIT on my bed with a blanket DOWN! What is the first thing that comes to your mind 4. Don’t ever give up! Even though we are down, that doesn’t mean when you enter the basketball court for a anything (and you may just shout the team into a double overtime game? like the one just weeks ago with Lipsomb when WE WON!) The loud- I hope everyone stays free from injuries. Our er we cheer the more likely the Bruins will get back into a game!! team has a problem with injuries Brittney Myers 3. All the Bruins on the men’s team are over 6 feet tall. And Mike, What’s your favorite time of day? Keaton and Matthew are really, really tall. The women are close – Major: Biology/Pre-OT The afternoon, because its naptime! four players on this year’s squad are 6 feet or more. Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? 2. The women’s team is just as amazing as the men’s team. Make Brooke Sunday. She is the best roommate ever Peanut Butter! It is the best food ever and can sure you are there to be crazy! and she is a baller at all times! be used with anything! 1. It’s scientifically proven that if you come to Belmont Basketball games that you are likely to make more friends, make more money, be healthier, your portfolio will expand, you’ll get better grades, your BROOKE SUNDAY SENIOR POST teachers will like you a lot, you’ll get a promotion, and it’s likely that you will keep your hair until you’re at least 40, although that has not What is your most prized possession? been scientifically proven. My engagement ring If you could be famous, who would you be? Whitney Seals, aka Old Gregg Homecoming also What’s on your iPod right now? “I’m So Hood” by DJ Khaled offers opportunity to What is your favorite snack food? Granola bars serve community What do you do to relax? Try to do absolutely nothing – it is nice when A Homecoming “Clothe Off” is underway and will continue through we have time off to watch TV, sleep and go Feb. 9. home when I can The community service initiative, sponsored by the M.O.B., is a What do you do to relax? clothing drive. The effort is to provide some of the students at LaVergne Lake Elementary School with needed winter clothing. Try to do absolutely nothing. It is nice when The final collection opportunity will be at the Feb. 9 game. we have time off to watch TV, sleep and go The items that are especially needed are winter clothing for both boys Brooke Sunday home when I can. and girls of elementary school age such as jackets, coats, mittens, gloves What’s your favorite time of day? and scarves. Major: Social Work Donation sites are the Office of Athletics, Curb Event Center, Bedtime Mezzanine Level and the Office of Alumni Relations, Fidelity Hall 1st Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? floor. Whitney Seals, aka Old Gregg God, family and friends HC Page 6 The Belmont Vision Special Homecoming Section, January 31, 2008 LAURA CROWLEY SENIOR GUARD

What was your best Halloween costume? My mom made me a horse costume with a brown bodysuit and yellow yarn for my mane and tail. Who are you rooting for in the presidential race? From the Anybody but Hillary Sid If you were a car, what would you be? Herbie What is your favorite childhood memory? Taking a good loo Playing on my grandparents’ farm with my sis- ter and cousins The view from the sidelines as the Bruins to reach their potential. What do you do to relax? race up and down the court is interesting, from The Homecoming Weeke I go home!!! whatever perspective. For the coaches, whose the women’s basketball team What is your most treasured possession? what it means to be a Belmo Laura Crowley body language and facial expressions tell student. We are excited that My Bible different stories throughout a game, the have come to our games and Major: What goes through your mind when you first view is decidedly focused on the Bruins Event Center a really excitin not take your attendance or e Exercise science enter the basketball court for a game? and the opponents. For the fans, both former players and armchair athletes, the need to earn it by playing ha Who is your hero? I check to see if my family made it OK floor. We DO want you to kn view is exciting and their role is to make it Paula Deen of you for making the effort more so by waving their arms, cheering team and look forward to see loudly and occasionally emitting a groan weekend and beyond. multiplied by hundreds who simultaneously -Longtime Bruins head c HENRY HARRIS SENIOR GUARD make the same sound. career mark of 500 wins in D his team have made two con Here, a few of those who have to view NCAA tournament. the game talk about their view from the What was the first concert you saw? bleachers or the bench (or, in Coach Byrd’s Dan Oliver case, from a perpetual squat, knees bent Never been Watching this year’s team Who are you rooting for in the presidential and sweater vest in place). an incredible arsenal of talen race? have a grab bag of guys who Coach Rick Byrd load. Having played with ma A new breed see each guy’s talents mature Unlike the giant athletic programs at many Division I What is your most treasured possession? develop into leaders on and o schools around the country, at Belmont our basketball staff does an amazing job tea My fiancé and unborn baby team is simply part of the overall educational experience an example for our Bruins, a of our university. Hopefully, it is always a positive part What is the first thing that comes to your mind managers do a wonderful job of Belmont. In fact, it really needs to be as our team gen- when you enter the basketball court for a form. erates more media coverage than almost any other part Typically, this is one of t game? of the university does. season with Bruins basketba Let’s get it Whether athletics should be covered more than the women, tired and beat up an significant accomplishments of our students and faculty If there was a movie made about you, whom right around the corner. But is a worthy discussion for another time. The fact is, the would you cast to play yourself? them has what it takes to fin result of every game we play is covered in the newspa- proud. Chris Tucker pers, on each local television station and, on a national -Dan Oliver is a former m Henry Harris What’s your favorite time of the day? scale, the score is repeatedly scrolled across ESPN and graduated in 2006 and still k other national sports networks throughout the evening. 1 a.m. or later ketball by attending games. Major: Exercise Science What can’t you live without? When we have been fortunate enough to be highly Who is your hero? successful, that coverage has increased dramatically. Our Love first appearance in the NCAA tournament garnered David Fish Willie Mae O’Neal Belmont University a front-page story in USA Today As arguably the most ded and countless other stories in large newspapers through- fan of the last decade, I can h out the country about the little school with all the music excited about this season’s m celebrities making the “Big Dance.” We were on several ball programs. Over the past JUSTIN HARE SENIOR GUARD national sports shows and, of course, our games were less than 5 percent of our ba broadcast nationally on CBS. Our second NCAA appear- whether they were being pla ance gained additional national coverage and our wins Gymnasium (currently the ru this season over Cincinnati and Alabama received con- the Aquinas College gymnas What was the first concert you saw? siderable national mention including articles in the New Auditorium downtown or ins Kid Rock York Times and the Washington Post. Event Center. So, I’ve seen m With all that being said, those of us directly involved and spectacular teams. If you were a car, what would you be? with our team take the responsibility of representing our My wife and I drove up w A Range Rover school in a very serious way. Our players and coaches watch the Belmont men’s tea are expected to understand that they are always repre- against Cincinnati, Western What’s on your iPod right now? senting Belmont and that mistakes in judgment can lead earlier this season. When Co to negative publicity about our university. Almost every Jay-Z, James Taylor and Brad Paisley the starting five only to have day you can read in the sports page, and sometimes the on the court, I knew this yea What’s your favorite snack food? front page, about a college athlete who has been something special to watch. involved in an activity that reflects negatively on his Apple solid players to choose from team, his teammates and his school. Or you see an article remarkable. I mean we’re lo What do you do to relax? where the school has been caught cheating during the Campbell, Henry, Renfroe, D recruiting process and has received serious NCAA sanc- House2… These players and Fish or play golf tions. No one can make guarantees, but it is important to type that other coaches in the What is the first thing that comes to your mind us that Belmont knows that, more than winning games, to have recruited to their pro conference titles or making NCAA appearances, we when you enter the basketball court for a they’re Bruins baby! want to make you proud of the “way” we go about try- And, without hesitation, I game? ing to accomplish these things. games against North Florida Justin Hare The excellence of Belmont University has allowed us Lets go get a win! mean… Osprey… as a masc to attract outstanding student-athletes to play for us. We men took their team to schoo Major: Exercise science If there were a movie made about you, whom have recorded seven straight years of a team GPA over ited the Curb Event Center a would you cast to play yourself? 3.0 and strive each year to continue the kind of academic fierce around 80 points. The What was your best Halloween costume? success that our athletic department as a whole has problem, as long as Sunday Russell Crowe attained. Our players are, literally, regular students trying Pirate strong. to do their best on a campus that challenges each student I have an appreciation for The Belmont Vision, January 31, 2008 HC Page 7 SHANE DANSBY JUNIOR GUARD/FORWARD

What was your best Halloween costume? Dennis Rodman If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? I am famous…Google me Who are you rooting for in the presidential delines race? The black guy If you were a car, what would you be? ok at the Bruins A Dodge Charger with suicide doors and 24- inch rims few others can understand. I easily recall a number of What is on your iPod right now? end allows both the men and times attending men’s basketball games against confer- ms to be a part of celebrating ence opponents where I was one of three students in the Weezie ont alumnus or a Belmont crowd. If you’ve been to a recent game and are able to What do you do to relax? so many students this season pick out my voice in the midst of a couple thousand in Shane Dansby d made a night in the Curb attendance, just imagine how clearly I was able to be Get great massages ng place to be. Our team does heard in an auditorium with 50 people in the stands! I Major: Health/Business What is your most treasured possession? enthusiasm for granted; we say all this to remind our faculty, staff, alumni and stu- ard every time we take the dents that having high quality athletic teams to cheer for Who is your hero? My shoes or my Sidekick, probably my ‘Kick know that we appreciate each should never be taken for granted. I guarantee the play- My grandmother though to support our basketball ers don’t take for granted hearing your voices and seeing eing you Homecoming your faces in the crowd, cheering them on and pushing them to do their best night in and night out. oach Rick Byrd reached the -David Fish, founder of the Motivational December 2006, and he and Orgainzation of Belmont (M.O.B.) and 2004 graduate of ANDY WICKE JUNIOR GUARD nsecutive appearances in the Belmont, has returned to work here as the special pro- jects coordinator in the office of admissions. Jack Benz What was the first concert you saw? James Taylor m is special in that they have One of my favorite winter past times is watching col- nt. On any given night we lege basketball. Many of our friends are faithful follow- If you could be anyone famous, who would you o can step up and carry the ers of Vanderbilt and . Although I enjoy both be? any of them, it is exciting to of those teams, my favorite teams to follow are the e and their personalities Belmont men’s and women’s basketball teams. Bond off the court. The coaching Both men’s and women’s teams are loaded with tal- If you were a car, what would you be? aching, preparing and setting ent, the result of excellent recruiting. Both teams went to and the athletic trainers and the NCAA tournament last year, with the men qualifying ‘65 Shelby Cobra b keeping our player’s in top two years in a row. Our teams lack the height of most of What’s on your iPod right now? the other teams in the conference, so they have to resort the toughest stretches of the to great outside shooters, which is the key to their suc- Radiohead & The Shins all players, both men and cess. What do you do to relax? nd the conference tournament I have been fortunate to attend both of the men’s I know that every one of NCAA opening round games in San Diego and Winston- Watch basketball videos with Keaton Belcher ish strong and make Salem. I have to share with you an incident that occurred What’s your favorite time of the day? in Winston-Salem. We stayed in the same hotel as the men’s basketball player who players. The team had checked out, loaded the bus and Andy Wicke About 5 or 6 p.m. when everyone is getting off keeps up with Belmont bas- left for the trip home. As we were checking out, the work and going to be with their families and manager of the hotel approached us and asked if we their friends. The fishing is good then, too. were with the Belmont group. We said yes. He then told Major: Environmental Studies What can’t you live without? us that that hotel is where sports teams usually stay when Who is your hero? they come to Winston-Salem to play. In the many years Fishing dicated Belmont Athletics that teams have come there, the Belmont group was by My father honestly say that I am very far the most well behaved group he has ever had. This is men’s and women’s basket- just another example of how Belmont students are a t eight seasons I have missed shining example and witness everywhere they go. sketball home games, Basketball in the 1950s when I played at Belmont WILL PEEPLES JUNIOR FORWARD ayed in the old Striplin was quite different than it is today. Those were the days ubble beneath the BSLC), of two hand set shots, short pants and no three point sium, the Municipal shot. A 6-foot-7-inch player was extremely big. Our side the state-of-the-art Curb tallest player was Hilton Jones at 6 feet 6 inches. If you could be anyone famous, who would you my fair share of good, great However, we had a 6-foot-4-inch center, Robert Barnes, who averaged 33 points per game. We probably had the be? with some fellow alumni to worst facilities of any school in our conference, the Charles Barkley or Jim Nance. Great jobs. am play in a tournament VSAC. Carolina and Bowling Green Our gym was located in Blanton Hall, the building If you were a car, what would you be? oach Byrd got upset and sat that burned in 1972. Blanton was the main academic 1995 GMC Sierra Brown e another full strong lineup building that housed all the classrooms, the gym, swim- ars’ team was going to be ming pool and bowling alley. We could jam about 100 What is your favorite snack food? The fact that we have ten fans in the gym for a basketball game with bleachers at Peanut butter and jelly. No grape jelly, though. m on any given night is pretty one end and fans in the balcony. At the other end of the oaded… Hare, Dansby, J. gym there was a brick wall under the basket that could If there were a movie made about you, whom Dots, Keaton, Wicke, cause serious injury on a fast break. They finally put up would you cast to play as yourself? d their teammates are the a thick mat on the wall to cushion the blow. We played e Atlantic Sun would LOVE all our home games in this gym except Lipscomb. Both Dolph Lundgren or Randy Quaid ograms. Too bad though; home and away were played in their gym. The rivalry What’s your favorite time of day? then was just as strong as it is now. Fans would always I anticipate the Homecoming pack their gym for this game. Bedtime a to be W’s for both teams. I Going into the Homecoming game, both teams rank Will Peeples cot… are you serious?! Our above North Florida so we should be able to capture two What can’t you live without? ol last season when they vis- victories. My insulin pump. I would die without it. Like, and we beat them something -Jack Benz was a basketball player that graduated in Major: Accounting no joke women should have no 1955. Since then, he has remained connected to Belmont What was your best Halloween costume? and Bobbitt stay healthy and by being on its Board of Trustees and continues to sup- port Belmont athletics. Operation, blinking nose and all r Belmont basketball that HC Page 8 The Belmont Vision Special Homecoming Section, January 31, 2008 STEFAN BASKIN SOPHOMORE GUARD Women’s team

What was your best Halloween costume? finds balance Humpty Dumpty What was the first concert you saw? Dave Mathew’s Band after rocky start

If you could be anyone famous, who would it By Jordan Drake be? FOR THE VISION Tiger Woods Despite a tumultuous off-season that saw uber-talented post depart to MTSU – coupled with a 2-5 start (including 61- and 37- If you were a car, what would you be? point losses to Vanderbilt and Michigan respectively), the Bruins’ Range Rover Sport women’s team has finally righted the ship as they sail into the heart of conference play. Belmont (10-9, 4-2) resides at fourth place in the Atlantic What is your favorite childhood memory? Sun Tournament after winning three of four within conference as of Jan. 27. Christmas with the family Facing a challenge was not unex- What do you do to relax? pected, however. Stefan Baskin As the season began, Tony Cross, Watch movies head coach, told belmontbruins.com, “By far, this is the Major: Accounting and Entrepreneurship What can’t you live without? “By far, this is the most challenging most challenging schedule we have ever had. With the Who is your hero? Family, friends and faith progress our team has made over the schedule we have Jesus Christ last few years, reaching the WNIT last ever had.” year and the NCAA Tournament this year, I think this schedule is the next Tony Cross step in challenging our players and head coach, women’s basketball this program to reach its highest levels ALEX RENFROE JUNIOR POINT GUARD of potential.” The Bruins are led by senior post What was the first concert you saw? Brooke Sunday (13 points per game and a .567 field goal percentage). Two other players average double-digits – junior post Jessica Bobbitt (10.9 Beyonce, and believe it or not…It was ballin’! I would go again if I could. points per game) and sophomore guard Amber Rockwell (10.1 points per game). Bobbitt’s stifling defense is even more impressive. The Peabody If you could be anyone famous, who would it be? High graduate is averaging 3.17 blocks per game within conference play Lebron James! No question. The youngest guy with and has denied 50 shots total this season. the most cheese As a team, the Bruins have more than three times the number of blocks If you were a car, what would you be? as their conference opponents have had on Belmont. A 750i BMW. All black, mirror tints, Lamborghini Belmont’s adeptness at denying other team’s shots has masqueraded doors, and a little license plate that said, the fact that conference opponents are averaging almost six more rebounds “Yitttitteeeee!” per game. The Bruins are also stealing the ball 4.33 times more than oppo- What is on your Ipod right now? nents, as Bobbitt leads Belmont in that category as well. Sophomore floor I got this old school Clarence Carter. Then Shawty general Shaunda Strayhorn has progressed quite nicely as she paces the Lo “They Know” remix! Hardest song out. Bruins with 3.4 assists per game. What do you do to relax? In the Feb. 9 Homecoming game, Belmont welcomes conference foe North Florida (8-10, 3-3) to the Curb Event Center. I am always relaxed! But what upsets me? Nothing!! Life’s to short to short to stress. I love my life, and I The Ospreys are a well-balanced team, with eight players averaging am going to live it. more than four points per game. However, no Osprey is scoring in double What is the first thing that comes to your mind figures. The guard duo of junior Jennifer Bowen and sophomore Shandrea Alex Renfroe when you enter the basketball court for a game? Moore lead the team in points and assists per game, and oddly enough Bowen also paces the Ospreys in rebounds per game. One of the main rea- I need this dunk right now! Haha. Just don’t miss it!!! Major: Exercise Science Please don’t miss it!! Please!!! sons a guard is leading in rebounds is that no player in the regular rotation is taller than 6-foot-1. Who is your hero? What can’t you live without? Expect the Bruins (3-3, home) to hold serve against the Ospreys (1-6, Brandi Brandi! She is the best! Everything a person I can’t live without Chili’s! The Chocolate Molten away) on the strength of Belmont mid-season MVP Bobbitt complemented could ask for! Hope your reading this Brandi! Extra Cake. I Need it! Everyday!!! points! Yittitteee!!! by the dynamic sophomore guards Rockwell and Strayhorn.

JORDAN CAMPBELL FRESHMAN /SMALL FORWARD Women’s basketball

What was the first concert you saw? The good, the Lil’ Wayne What’s on your Ipod right now? bad, the ugly Lil’ Wayne, Juelz Santana, Chris Brown, lots of hip-hop and R&B The Good: They have won four of six conference games, including a What’s your favorite snack food? win in the Battle of the Boulevard two miles away at Lipscomb. Getting Southeastern Conference teams Mississippi State and Alabama to come to Oatmeal pies Nashville – to play at the Curb – is a coup for Head Coach Tony Cross What do you do to relax? and the Bruin athletic department. Especially sweet for Belmont was a 17- point win over Alabama where Cross earned his 500th career win. Junior Play poker or PS3 post Jessica Bobbitt is off-setting the loss of star Alysha Clark by playing at an all-conference level. The Bruins also are also a deeper team, and any If there was a movie made about you, whom player can go off on a scoring rampage any given evening. would you cast to play yourself? Will Smith The Bad: The Bruins are fourth place in the A-Sun because they have lost to third place Gardner-Webb and to second place ETSU (at home), What’s your favorite time of day? both by double digits. Belmont is also a mere 3-3 at home. The Bruins Jordan Campbell Nighttime have had trouble in the rebounding department as well. Major: Business What can’t you live without? The Ugly: If Belmont is to earn a return trip to the Big Dance, they Phone or TV will most likely be a No. 16 seed. That means they will play against the What was your best Halloween costume? likes of Tennessee or Connecticut, and those teams are in a different uni- Michael Jackson! verse from the teams that smashed Belmont –Vanderbilt by 61 and Michigan by 37. – Jordan Drake The Belmont Vision, January 31, 2008 HC Page 9 Homecoming 2008 MIKE DEJWOREK SOPHOMORE CENTER

What was the first concert you saw? Wir Gind Helden Red, white If you could be anyone famous, who would be? Dalai Llama If you were a car, what would you be? and Bruin Mercedes What’s your favorite snack food? Chips and salsa By Ameshia Cross SENIOR WRITER Highlights of What is your most treasured possession? The Office of Alumni Relations iPod began the year with several goals homecoming What is the first thing that comes to your mind in mind, one of which was to revamp the festivities surrounding Friday Feb. 8 when you enter the basketball court for a Homecoming and to make it even Wear Your Belmont Colors! game? more enjoyable for students, facul- Thinking about what we talked about in prac- ty and alumni. • Homecoming Bonfire: 5:30- Mike Dejworek 6:30p.m. tice and how I’m going to execute it. Belmont’s future is reflected by What can’t you live without? the title, in acknowledgment of the Party with the men’s and Major: Business upcoming town hall presidential My family women’s basketball teams What was your best Halloween costume? debate, “Red White, and Bruin” and others in the Kennedy seemed fitting. Pirate “The focus is on Belmont and Gravel Lot. Hot and choco- the entire Belmont community— late and smores will be pro- the community that develops vided. around students, faculty, organiza- MATTHEW DOTSON JUNIOR FORWARD tions and alums,” said Julie Bunt, associate director of alumni rela- Saturday, Feb. 9 tions. “This year’s Homecoming It’s a “white out!” What was your best Halloween costume? events schedule is centered on the Help us create a “sea of holistic society of the university white” at Homecoming ’08. I made my own Hulk Hogan costume sophomore and what all of its students, past year. Purchase the official and present, bring to the table.” If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? Belmont’s Student Government Homecoming shirt ($5.00) Association played a large role in or come dressed in your Batman the Homecoming festivities in the favorite white attire. What is your favorite snack food? past, but this year is different. Krispy Kreme doughnuts Although SGA is in charge of the annual bonfire, the Office of • Indoor Tailgate, 1-2 p.m. What was the first concert you saw? Alumni Relations will handle all Face decals, grab bags, “Build 1998-GEC- “Oldies 96.3 Lovins’ Feelins’ Concert” other aspects of the weekend’s a Bruin,” balloon animals, feat. Paul Revere & the Raiders and Three Dog Night events. “The timing of the events is in autographs by Bruiser and If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? much more occurrence with previous years,” Batman Bunt said. “We looked at last year and then called on student organi- • Belmont Bruins vs. North What’s on your iPod right now? zations and student leaders for Florida Ospreys. Kenny Rogers, George Harrison and the Dave ideas and help.” Matthew Dotson Mathews Band The kick-off event is the Bruin Men: 2 p.m. Club Speaker Series luncheon, Women: 4:15 p.m. If there were a movie made about you, whom scheduled for Feb. 7, and will fea- Major: History would you cast as yourself? ture David Freeman, leader of a Who is your hero? Barry Pepper. He was awesome as Roger Maris in local investment group that pur- “Writers in the Realm” series on “61#”. chased the . Feb. 8 at the music venue on My grandfather, George Dotson One not-so-new event will take Hillsboro Road. Former Belmont place during Homecoming week as student, Gordon Kennedy will host well, the Robert E. Simmons the event. Roger Murrah, of the Distinguished Faculty Lecture, NSAI will also be on hand. JONATHAN HOUSE FRESHMAN GUARD/FORWARD named for the first dean of the “Murrah played an integral role College of Arts and Sciences. in establishing the songwriting “The lecture usually takes place major at Belmont,” Bunt said. annually but not in conjunction Belmont’s own Dan Muckala, with Homecoming,” Bunt said. recipient of the School of Music’s What do you do to relax? Another feature of this year’s 2006 Curtain Call Award, is sched- Homecoming schedule is the uled to perform. “The purpose of I nap and play video games African American Alumni Brunch, this event is to focus on Belmont What was your best Halloween costume? which is conducted in partnership alumni and create an environment with the Black Student to draw people back to the univer- Stupendous Man from “Calvin and Hobbes” Association. sity,” Bunt said. What is your favorite childhood memory? This year many organizations The Belmont Honors Program and businesses who have not been will unveil its new honors house on First time watching “The Harlem Globetrotters” involved in Homecoming in the Feb. 8 as well. An open house cer- If you were a car, what would you be? past are becoming active. For emony will be held for Honors example, sports administration is Program graduates on Compton Ferrari taking part in the homecoming fes- Avenue. What’s your favorite snack food? tivities for the first time. On Feb. One of the most interesting fea- 8-9, graduates of the sports admin- tures of the Office of Alumni Cheesecake istration program will come togeth- Relations Homecoming schedule is What’s your most treasured possession? er to enjoy each other’s company, President Fisher’s “Fireside Chat: reminisce and enjoy a hearty meal. Fresh Facts and Foresights.” The Jonathan House XBOX 360 Another new and interesting event is a forum for President What’s your favorite time of day? feature of this year’s Homecoming Fisher to update Belmont alums Major: Business bill is Belmont at the Bluebird. The and select members of the Belmont Dinnertime renowned Bluebird Café and the community on where Belmont has Who is your hero? Nashville Songwriters Association been and more importantly where My dad International will sponsor the it is going. HC Page 10 The Belmont Vision Special Homecoming Section, January 31, 2008 JON RICE FRESHMAN GUARD

What was your best Halloween costume? A football player What was the first concert you saw? Dave Mathews Band If you could be anyone famous, who would it be? Kobe Bryant Who are you rooting for in the presidential race? Clinton If you were a car, what would you be? Mercedes Jon Rice What is your favorite snack food? Fruit snacks Major: Business What is your favorite time of day? Who is your hero? Bedtime Walter Payton PHOTO BY KRYSTAL LONG ANDREW HOUSE SENIOR GUARD What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you enter the basketball court for a game? I hope I look really cool in warm up Who is your hero? Walker, Texas Ranger If you could be anyone famous, who would you be? Al from “Tool Time” or Jesus Shuttlesworth What’s on your Ipod right now? A lot of stuff, but I’ve been wearing out some Tears for Fears, DJ Shadow and Ryan Adams Lately. What do you do to relax? Discussing with Andy Wicke how Gatorade A.M. is different than regular Gatorade Andrew House If there were a movie made about you, whom would you cast to play yourself? Major: Accounting I think Craig T. Neilson, Sinbad and Tim Allen – If you were a car, what would you be? they all have the potential. KITT – the car driven by David Hasselhoff in What can’t you live without? “Knight Rider” Oxygen and Reality TV PHOTO BY KRYSTAL LONG KEATON BELCHER SOPHOMORE FORWARD

shorts. I can never top that. What is your favorite childhood memory? When I was 7 years old I received a Super Nintendo from Santa Claus. I also got the game Super Mario World. My brothers and I stayed up the whole night playing it. What’s on your iPod right now? I don’t own an Ipod, but right now I like Maroon 5, Ben Folds and any country What’s your favorite snack food? Gummy Bears and Peach Rings What do you do to relax? Watch movies and sleep What is your most treasured possession? I have a few. My Bible, my championship rings and nets, my col- lection of Kentucky State High School State Tournament Programs. I have over 40. Keaton Belcher If there were a movie made about you, whom would you cast as yourself ? Major: Business Administration A 6-foot-9-inch Kevin Costner What was your best Halloween costume? What’s your favorite time of day? In 2006, I dressed up as Larry Bird. I had the blonde mullet, When I get to see Andrew Turner’s house. blonde mustache, white jersey, Converse shoes, and very small PHOTO BY KRYSTAL LONG The Belmont Vision, January 31, 2008 HC Page 11 PHOTO BY MELANIE BENGSTON PHOTO BY MELANIE BENGSTON PHOTO BY MELANIE BENGSTON PHOTO BY KRYSTAL LONG

The men’s and women’s basketball teams pulled out wins against in the first round of Battle of the Boulevard. Rowdy fans filled the bleachers for the double header, in which the men’s team won 99-91 in dou- ble overtime. Shane Dansby, led the Bruins with a career high 23 points and 12 rebounds. The women’s team beat the Bisons with a close final score of 47-43. The Bruins were the first to score in the game and were able to keep that lead for most of the game. Another close game followed a few days later, with the men’s team finishing with a win over ETSU, 86-83. The women didn’t fare as well in their con- test against ETSU, dropping the game by 10 points. PHOTO BY MELANIE BENGSTON 2008 Homecoming Court Nominees

Cyrus Eaton Sumo Jayaraman Klay Kelley Garrett Miller Price Rainer Cyrus is a junior majoring in Sumo is a senior majoring in Klay is a junior majoring in Garrett is a senior majoring in Price is a senior Political Economy Biology. He is involved with FCA, Accounting. He is involved with Business with a minor in Design Music Business Production. He is major with minors in Business and Faith Development Council, Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he Communications. He is involved currently an RA, and involved with Political Science. He is Student SAACS, and he is a member of the serves as Vice-President, a mem- with Student Government Beta Gamma Sigma, and AES. Government Association President, Men’s Soccer Team. ber of Tower Team, Dean of Association where he serves as he is also involved with RUF, Students Advisory Board, and IFC. Director of Campus Speech and Debate Team, and The Communications, a member of James Madison Society.

Homecoming King Nominees Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Belmont Ambassadors, and Tower Team.

Candace Campbell Ameshia Cross Brittney Mitchell Allison Pellicciotti Audra Stratton Candace is a senior majoring in Ameshia is a junior majoring in Brittney is a senior majoring in Allison is a junior majoring in Audra is a junior majoring in Management. She is Vice-President Political Science. She is President Religion in the Arts with a minor International Business. She is the Nursing. She is the Vice-President of the Student Government of the College Democrats, she also in Sociology. She is currently a President of Alpha Gamma Delta of Communications for Belmont Association, Belmont Ambassadors is a member of Alpha Sigma Tau RA, and is a member of the Black sorority, and she is also a member Ambassadors, and is a member of Vice-President, a member of Alpha sorority, The Black Student Student Association, and Belmont of the Student Government Phi Mu sorority and Student Nurse Sigma Tau sorority, and Order of Association, and Belmont Ambassadors. Association, Alpha Chi, and Order Association. Omega. Ambassadors. of Omega. Homecoming Queen Nominees Sponsored by Student Government Association