Student-athletes are used to the limelight that comes with being on the court, field or diamond–but what about being on the stage? Eleven of Belmont’s athletic teams took to the stage on Sunday, January 22 to show off their skills at the University’s 6th annual Battle of the Bruins, a talent show supporting Special Olympics. Belmont’s Athletics Department raised more than $3,400 at this year’s event.
Dance, lip sync, rap battles, sign language and more were part of Sunday’s show as student-athletes competed for the coveted first place trophy. Throughout the athlete’s acts, Nashville’s Metro Parks Disability Group signed and sang “Amazing Grace” and the Music City Miracle Choir performed ‘True Colors.’
At the end of the night, it was the women’s basketball team who took home the championship with their dance to a mash-up of Disney favorites. Second place was shared between men’s and women’s golf who participated together and volleyball.
This year’s event included the newly created People’s Choice Award, a designation decided by calculating which team had the most dollars in their basket by the end of the night. Event attendees were encouraged to drop money into the corresponding basket of their favorite performance, and the inaugural award went to the softball team.
Assistant Athletics Director for Budget and Finance and event organizer Amy McGinnis said, “Although this event moves our student-athletes out of their comfort zone, they rise to the occasion for a reason bigger than themselves. We look forward to a continued partnership with the great people at Special Olympics and hope that our efforts will make an impact.”
