What are The Bellies?
The Bellies are the annual athletics department awards program that gives Bellarmine student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to be recognized and honored for their widespread successes throughout the academic and athletic year. The Bellies are currently the only event that has attendance from every student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Led entirely by the SAAC Executive Board and committee chairs, The Bellies are the group’s premier program of the year. With nominations coming entirely from students and coaches, the winners of the awards can accept their trophies knowing they have been recognized by their peers for their hard work in the classroom, dedication to their sports, commitment to community and campus engagement, and the overall impact they have made in the department.
The Vision
When Bellarmine began the transition to Division 1, the SAAC leadership team decided to reevaluate their goals and mission and align them with the NCAA D1 SAAC model. This included the planning and production of an end of the year awards show that not only matched the productions of other D1 institutions, but also allowed community partners to join the celebration of successes from our programs. Aside from the nomination process, the content and purpose of the show has remained the same: highlight the successes and accomplishments of the students and coaches who give so much to the department. The student-athletes have taken full control of the event and have been able to add their personalities and creativity to the overall production. With two re-vamped shows under their belts, the buy-in from student-athletes, coaches, staff, and campus partners has been solidified. With the foundation built, SAAC looks to the outer community for plans and resources to help grow The Bellies! Check out Highlights from the inaugural 2022 Bellies awards here (click HERE to watch).
2024 Award Winners
Valor MVP Award (W) - Hayley Harrison, Women's BasketballÂ
Valor MVP Award (M) - Kyle Playsted, Lacrosse
New to Newburg Award (W) - Paige Hoyer, Field Hockey
New to Newburg Award (M) -Â Jeffery Cox, Men's Soccer & Matthew Nice, Men's Tennis
Norton Sports Health Fight Like a Knight Award -Â Cam Browning, Women's Basketball
Knights In Action Award - Women's Track and Field
James R. Spalding Athlete of Distinction Award - Kyle Playsted, Lacrosse
Scholar Athlete of the Year Award (W) - Grace Mack, Women's Cross Country and Track & Lauren Marshall, Field Hockey
Scholar Athlete of the Year Award (M) - Andrew Blank, Men's Soccer
Academic Team of the Year Award -Â Women's Tennis
Blazing Torch Award (W) -Â Chloe Freilinger, Women's Track
Blazing Torch Award (M) - Rahim Shalash, Men's Soccer
Scarlet Heart Award (W) - Field Hockey
Scarlet Heart Award (M) -Â Wrestling
Knights Spirit Award -Â Hollan Bates, Cheerleading
Head Coach of the Year Award - Tim Chastonay, Men's Soccer
Assistant Coach of the Year Award - Jalen Madison, Track and Field
Best of Bellarmine: Photo of the Year -Â Cheerleading
