If you've ever experienced the electrifying atmosphere of a Belmont University Athletics game, chances are you've witnessed the energy of the M.O.B. in action. The Motivational Organization of Belmont, or the M.O.B. as it's affectionately known, is more than a mere student organization; it's the heart and soul of game day, transforming every match into a memorable celebration of Belmont spirit. Here’s a look at its history and key players.
Origins and Evolution of the M.O.B.
In 1986, Steve Stanford and Bill Petty were freshmen at Belmont College. They started regularly attending basketball games and noticed the student section was pretty small, except for the rivalry game against Lipscomb University, which drew a big crowd. Stanford and Petty decided to try to drum up more student support and spirit at various athletic events.
In the fall of 1987, they presented a plan and budget to the school, which provided several hundred dollars to help kick things off. They designed T-shirts, organized transportation to away games in a school van driven by a janitor and negotiated to get megaphones from the cheerleaders. "I don't think we miss ever missed a road game, and including Christian Brothers, out in Memphis," Petty said. They called the group BaCMO (Belmont College Motivational Organization).
The group focused on supporting both the men's and women's teams equally, at home and away. The group gained momentum and grew each year, with Stanford and Petty serving as co-founders and leaders. After graduating in 1989 and 1990 respectively with degrees in Music Business, they have remained friends over the years, crediting their experience building BaCMO together with cementing their lifelong bond. They both still live in the Nashville area and support Belmont Athletics. "I've been a season ticket holder since the day I graduated," Stanford said.
The M.O.B. name began when Belmont transitioned from a college to a university in 1991 and expanded its focus. David McLelland ('93) and Bill Burdette ('93) were the next leaders in BaCMO and recruited Brack Buckles (religion, '95), who would become the next leader of the organization. “I became the face of the organization because of my size (6’4” and 250 lbs.), and I wore a white hat that was buttoned on one side," Buckles said. "When we went to games, the group also wore black trench coats.”
Also armed with cheerleading megaphones, you couldn’t miss ‘em. Buckles served as president of the M.O.B. from 1992 until 1994 when Jason Wise took over. The group grew to over 100 members strong, but only about 25 were part of the cheering crew, Buckles said. They aimed to foster a fun, supportive atmosphere for athletes, a mission that resonated deeply with the community. This was a time when resources were modest, and the group would often travel to away games in a school van, embodying the true essence of student-led support. The approach was simple yet impactful: have fun, support the student-athletes – with plenty of volume.
“It was such a great time to be at Belmont,” Buckles said. “Similar to today, they won a lot. One time the volleyball team (it was during their first year) was playing Lipscomb, and it was a close game. There were about 20 students in attendance. Several of us left between sets to invite other students to cheer them on, and by the end of the game there were about 100 students, and many of them became regular attendees throughout the season. That is what we wanted to see.”
Buckles, who now serves as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas and teaches at Arlington Baptist University, graduated in 1995. His departure left a void and the group’s momentum began to suffer.
Reviving the M.O.B.
Eric Jones (marketing, '92) served as the first sports information director for Belmont Athletics in 1993 and was the assistant athletic director before departing in 2005. It was during his tenure that the M.O.B. would be revived to bolster waning student support at sporting events.
"We came up with the idea during a staff meeting in Fidelity Hall to relaunch the M.O.B.,” Jones said. “We needed a concept that was easy, cheap and helped our sponsors who were advertising with Belmont Athletics .... For students to buy in, we needed a student to run it. That student needed energy, lots of passion for athletic competition, was fearless and would try any stupid stunt and read any outrageous script they were given – basically, had a love for people and was a leader. We didn't have to consider too many candidates. Every great rock band needs a lead singer. Van Halen had David Lee Roth, the Doors had Jim Morrison and we had David Fish. The M.O.B. has never looked back ... I love to hear that the organization is still going strong after so many years.”
Reflecting on his personal journey at Belmont, David Fish (broadcasting/communications, 2004, master’s in sport administration, 2007) shared, "I had an incredible marketing and leadership opportunity from my sophomore through senior years with the Belmont Athletics department,” Fish said. "My primary goal was to help launch, grow and maintain a newly refreshed student organization with the sole purpose of attending athletic events and supporting the student athletes. And little did we know that it would actually turn into the massive 800+ membership it did and have the positive and lasting impact it has for the past 23 years. In fact, the grassroots marketing/advertising/recruitment experience combined with the invaluable guidance and mentorship I gained from the M.O.B. helped turn [the experience] into a full-time job for me at Belmont right after I graduated. From there, the Lord has led my path through a number of career transitions that have mainly centered around sports marketing and communications."
Fish currently serves as communications director at Nashville’s Christ Presbyterian Church, but you can often find him on campus and cheering at a game. “After working in three different departments (Admissions, Alumni and Athletics) for almost 10 years, plus the six years of degrees earned and the 20 years of being a basketball season ticket holder, every time I'm on Belmont's campus, it feels like home,” he said. "Now, one of my best friends, and the web developer for the first edition of the M.O.B. website our senior year, Chip Hayner serves as the Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. Coming back to Belmont is an opportunity to see my extended family of fellow Bruins, reminisce, share stories and continue to dream about the University's future.”
As far as the current iteration of the M.O.B., Belmont Athletics joined forces with student leaders – most notably William Sims, who served as on-court emcee at basketball games – to pass the torch on to current M.O.B. president Kingston Gardner (senior, Creative Entertainment Industries and Social Media Management). "We have seen a lot of success over the past two years, and the goal is to see that grow well past our time at Belmont,” Gardner said.
"When you have a great student presence at games, anything becomes possible."
Impact and Traditions
Over the years, the M.O.B. has been instrumental in creating a vibrant and energetic environment at Belmont's athletic events. The group is known for its traditions, which include pre-game rallies, themed game days and other activities that boost engagement among students and fans.
"The M.O.B. gave Belmont a homecourt advantage, with always added emotion,” Jones said. “The student-athletes fed off the vibe and responded to the M.O.B. It became a symbiotic relationship and it transferred from Belmont's NAIA days when Brack Buckles led the cheers through to the present day. When you have a great student presence at games, then anything becomes possible. Belmont has grown immensely, and the on-campus experience is more crucial each day.”
Growth and Adaptation
As Belmont’s athletic programs have grown, so has the M.O.B. The group has embraced new methods like social media (@belmontmob) to engage with fans and alumni, ensuring that the spirit of the M.O.B. reaches beyond the campus. (There is no formal process to join this student group.)
“There are many traditions that have been passed down to us that we have loved,” Gardner said. “From singing ‘Happy Together’ to Crunch Time, we have been sure to build on the path that was set before us. We have tried to create new traditions throughout the year (pre-game tailgates, Swag Surfing and other chants) and will hope that they keep going!”
Looking ahead, the M.O.B. is focused on increasing student involvement and aims to continue its legacy of support and spirit, even as it adapts to the changing landscape of collegiate athletics and student interests.
"It's important that every new year of the M.O.B. takes ownership of their own legacy,” Jones said. "It doesn't matter what they come up with from a year-to-year perspective – as long as they do it together, support each other and above all, have fun. It seems to me that the M.O.B. represents more than a spirit group for athletics. They seem to go to each other's concerts, plays, productions, events. That's what you want in a student body."
