Normally, a soccer jock would not be gallivanting around the MPAC stage in white strappy wedges, skin-tight pleather leggings, a bedazzled shirt and dangling jewelry demonstrating the complex relationship between Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber.
But norms did not concern the student athletes while competing on March 22 for the fifth annual Belmont Battle of the Bruins.
For the competition, the athletic teams partnered with the Nashville Special Olympics to spread awareness about disabilities and raise money for a great cause. The teams received scores based on creativity, crowd participation and overall performance.
Between the mens’ sports teams making comedic jabs at their coaches and the women’s’ sports teams dancing to pop music, the Music City Miracle Choir and the Metro Parks Disabilities Program sang and dance for an excited audience.
Halfway through the program, the grumbles of the crowd dissipated when the Music City Miracle Choir stepped on stage.
Singing “Say Something” by A Great Big World, the Music City Miracle Choir called for respect and a resistance to flippant use of the word “retarded.” The group received a unanimous standing ovation.
“I thought the performance was moving and made me think,” said sophomore English education major Zenna Daker.
When it came time for the judges to tally up points, the Belmont volleyball team earned 356 points and placed third with their choreography to a mix of title sequences from cult classic television programs.
In second place with 388 points, just a one point difference from winning, the Belmont cheerleaders danced and played the air trumpet to “Cheerleader” by OMI.
With 389 points, the women’s basketball team won with their dance to a mix of old school pop. The team brought members from the Music City Miracle Choir onstage to end their performance with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston.
Article and media by Courtney Bellush.