Wednesday, September 14, 2011

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – For the second year in a row, the Belmont women's basketball team took time out of its busy preseason conditioning schedule to give back to the community. The Bruins kicked off their 2001-12 community service initiative on Saturday, September 10 at the annual Tennessee Kidney Foundation's Gift of Life Walk held at the River Park in Brentwood.

In addition to participating in the walk, the Bruins volunteered in the youth activity area, playing games and taking them through fun basketball drills. The team also signed autographs, posed for pictures with the youth in attendance and encouraged the walkers.

"What a wonderful way to spend a gorgeous Saturday morning with our team. We are flattered and honored that the Tennessee Kidney Foundation (TKF) again requested our presence at the Gift of Life Walk in Brentwood," said Head Coach Brittney Ezell. "Our team did a fantastic job of connecting with all of the participants and they was tremendous ambassadors for Belmont University."

"Members of our program do not have much free time in the fall but it is heart-warming to know that our players choose to use their time to uplift others. Their display of a selfless attitude is what the TKF Gift of Life Walk is all about and I have no doubt that our players made Belmont Bruin fans extremely proud today," Ezell said.

The Gift of Life Walk is one of the signature fundraisers for the Tennessee Kidney Foundation whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans affected by kidney disease, by facilitating, advocating and encouraging, education, prevention, detection and treatment along with promoting organ donation throughout the state.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an NCAA Division I league with 10 member institutions committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun meets the challenge of maintaining the highest standards in academic and athletic achievement with a true balance between student and athlete. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.