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BELMONT ATHLETICS STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
Belmont University Athletics Student-Athlete of the Month honorees are nominated by faculty, staff coaches and athletic administration, based on the following criteria:
- Effort and Excellence in Academics
- Effort and Excellence in Athletics
- Dedication to Team
- Leadership
- Integrity
- Campus Involvement
- Community Service
- Ability to serve as a role model for current and future Belmont students and student-athletes
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
 Haley Nelson - Women's Basketball
Sophomore
Physical Education & Health Major
Why did you choose Belmont?
- I chose Belmont because of the great facilities and opportunities that are available.
What are your career goals?
- I plan to get a masters in early childhood education and then teach a kindergarten class. I also want to be a high school basketball coach.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
- The help of friends being under the same type of schedule, and knowing how to use what little spare time I have is very important.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
- I usually try not to think about the test too much because stressing only makes the test that much more complicated so staying calm and laid back is what works best for me.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
- My sister is the biggest role model in my life and I consider her my favorite athlete just because she works harder than anyone I have ever seen and has a great passion for basketball.
If we were to turn on your iPod, what would be playing right now?
- Live Like Your Dying -by: Kris Allen
What is your favorite quote?
- Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed. Proverbs 12:24
| Why Haley is a Student-Athlete of the Month |
Haley has excelled in her second year as a Bruin, improving virtually every aspect of her game, from scoring and rebounding to leadership and fitness. She was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week in November, helping the team improve to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2005-06 season, with her efforts on the hardwood. Currently, Haley is one of only three Atlantic Sun players averaging a double-double (13.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg). She also leads the league in blocked shots (44) and defensive rebounds (7.05 drpg). Nelson is nationally ranked in three categories - 22nd in rebounds per game, 29th in blocked shots per game, and 41st in field-goal percentage. She also received Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference honors after posting a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the fall semester. Because of her work on and off the court, Haley is a great candidate for the Student-Athlete of the Month.
Kenisha Rhone - Director of Media Relations, Women's Sports |
 Keaton Belcher - Men's Basketball
Senior
Exercise Major (completed his Bachelor's of Business Administration degree and major in General Business in August 2009)
Why did you choose Belmont?
- I chose Belmont because I knew that I would have the opportunity to get a great education and to play basketball on the Division I level with great teammates and for great coaches. Also, the people at Belmont were very generous and outgoing when I visited here. Belmont has been a great fit for me over the course of my career.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
- My favorite athlete has always been Larry Bird because he was my dad's favorite basketball player when I was a kid and I always used to watch his old games on tape. I can also relate to Bird because we both come from rural areas and our games are very similar. We are both 6'9" and I try to pattern my shooting abilities after him.
What are your career goals?
- My career goals after Belmont are to get a graduate degree in Sport Administration and then get an assistant coaching position somewhere. I want to use my experiences at Belmont to help teach college students about basketball and life.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
- I manage my schedule by staying on top of everything that I do whether it is classes, homework, practice, weights, games, etc. I feel like I am a pretty organized person so thankfully I did not have much trouble adjusting to college after high school.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
- Before a test I like to start studying a couple days in advance so that I understand the material clearly and I can comprehend what is going on. The day of the test I usually go over my notes right before the test is handed out so I am confident as I begin to take it.
If we were to turn on your iPod, what would be playing right now?
- Lately I have been listening to a mixture of Ben Folds, Third Eye Blind and a lot of country.
What is your favorite quote?
- Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden
| Why Keaton is a Student-Athlete of the Month |
Keaton has embraced a leadership role as a fifth-year senior on this year's team. He was virtually a unanimous choice as team captain by his teammates and was universally regarded as "Best Teammate" by his fellow players. Keaton has exhibited steady, consistent improvement throughout his college career academically and has been a pleasure to coach.
Rick Byrd - Head Coach, Men's Basketball |
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