Renee Schultz, senior associate athletic director for student athlete success and senior woman administrator, was named the 2023 Gabhart Award Recipient at Belmont’s annual Staff Christmas Brunch, held Dec. 13.
Named in honor of the late Dr. Herbert C. Gabhart, who served Belmont selflessly for 50 years as president and chancellor, the Gabhart Award is the highest honor presented to a staff person and honors a member of the Belmont community who demonstrates significant achievements, commitment and service to the University.
Schultz has been serving at Belmont for more than two decades and has created an incredible legacy within the Office of Athletics. In addition to her senior women administrator responsibilities and sport management, she oversees the support of all Belmont student-athletes, including academics, mental health, sports performance and counseling.
Schultz said she is humbled and grateful to receive the honor. “This honor is not because of the work that I have done alone,” she said when accepting the award. “I am one person on a large team! I am blessed to work in a department that cares about each other, is collaborative and values what is good and right in college athletics. For that, I am thankful.”
Schultz also thanked her friends and colleagues across campus and her husband and her kids, exclaiming, “I am glad we are on the same team!”
Under her leadership, Belmont student-athletes have attained a department GPA of 3.0 or greater for 25 years. She is one of Belmont’s biggest cheerleaders both on and off the field and can be seen at most home athletic events, regardless of the sport. She also serves on various campus committees, including the HUB Council, Operation Leadership Team (BOLT) and the Student Care Team.
“She always makes herself available to visit with student-athletes in need of help and is exceptional at building connections with the athletes while also holding them accountable when an issue arises,” Dr. Susan West, executive vice president and chief of staff, said when announcing Schultz as the winner.
West continued, “Renee loves, cares for and embraces everything Belmont represents. She is a leader of high character, which is modeled for the students daily. Her infectious personality allows her to easily relate to any recruit, parent, alum, donor or sponsor. Her purpose is to help our athletes grow off the field of play and not solely on wins and losses.”
One colleague who nominated her for the award stated, “Renee practices gratitude and spreads her joy to all she encounters. She offers grace to those who need it and keeps everyone in her path accountable to the standard of excellence associated with Belmont and Belmont Athletics. She is what makes Belmont special: she gives of herself to lift others up so they can achieve, she inspires all of us to work to our God-given potential, to maximize our talents, to honor God with how we live each day, and to be thankful for the opportunity of every day we have together at Belmont.”
This year’s Gabhart Award first runner up was Lougan Bishop, director of web and video strategy, and the second runner up was Amy Hardy, program assistant in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Past Gabhart Award winners include Maren Bishop, Kellie Meeks, Rusty King, Angie Bryant, Don Purdy, Betty Wiseman, Sarah Cates, Gary Hunter, Joan Eakin, Bonnie Wagonfield, Anthony Donovan and Greg Pillon.