Belmont's Chase Brookshire Pitches the Importance of SAAC

As a freshman pitcher in 2010, Chase Brookshire got off to a good start and hasn't looked back. He recorded a career-high seven strikeouts in his first career start, and at season's end was tied for the team high with 13 starts. He received Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team accolades after recording a team best six wins with a 6-2 record with an ERA of 6.26. His 83.1 innings pitched and 52 strike outs were also the most on the squad.

Last season Chase earned the victory in Belmont's first ever NCAA Regional win, striking out six while allowing one earned run on two hits in eight innings pitched against Oklahoma State. He earned NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team accolades for his performance. He was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament Team after pitching a one-run complete game against Kennesaw State, and garnered several other accolades throughout the season including All-Atlantic Sun Second Team honors, and A-Sun Pitcher of the Week (3/7). Brookshire set a career record with nine strikeouts in a 4-3 win vs. Kennesaw State (3/11) and pitched a total of three complete games including two conference match ups. Once again he led the team with 102.2 innings pitched and 72 strikeouts and finished the year with a record of 6-4, an ERA of 3.33 and an opponents' average of .265. His 15 starts tied the most in a single season at Belmont.

Today Chase Brookshire discusses why he feels the voice of student-athletes via the Student-Athlete Advisory Council is crucial in order to positively impact campuses and communities.

A-Sun: Why do you work with SAAC?
CB: I was selected to be the SAAC representative midway through my sophomore year. I had the opportunity to attend a leadership conference in Orlando, Fla. hosted by the NCAA during the fall of my sophomore year. I attended with a softball player and SAAC rep, and we came back with a lot of ideas we wanted to implement at Belmont. After this was when I was given the opportunity to join SAAC and I have loved it ever since. It is refreshing to know that the student-athletes really do have a voice in what happens, and I have enjoyed being a part of that process.

A-Sun: What is SAAC’s role on campus?
CB: Our SAAC has become more involved this year than ever before on campus. Obviously, we each represent our teams if anything is to be brought up. We also have worked hard to change certain events like our annual welcome-back dinner at the beginning of the year and put on new events like a Talent-Show to raise money for Special Olympics Nashville.

A-Sun: What is the most rewarding community service project you have done with SAAC?
CB: This past fall, Michael Graffin helped to put on a Fall Festival out at our new Rose Park Complex for Halloween. This was a great community event that kicked off our facility at Rose Park, and it gave our athletes a chance to really get to know the people of the Edgehill community, where we spend so much time.

A-Sun: Why did you choose to attend Belmont and to play for an A-Sun team?
CB: Belmont was a great fit for me personally. It gave me the opportunity to attend a great school and get a great education. I love being in Nashville and all of the opportunities that come with that. Also, playing Division I baseball in a competitive conference like the Atlantic Sun was a big reason why I was drawn to Belmont.

A-Sun: What is a typical day for you as a Belmont Bruin entail?
CB: A typical day as an athlete at Belmont can be extremely busy. Classes are predominately scheduled in the morning, anytime from 8:00-1:00 so that we can grab some lunch and be out at the field in the afternoon for practice. We schedule our weight workouts after practice, so we rush from the field back to the weight room. By that point on a typical weekday, we grab some dinner and take the rest of the night pretty easy, working on any homework needing to take care of or watching a movie with some of the guys.

A-Sun: What was it like leading the Bruins to their first NCAA Regional win/ School’s first ever NCAA win?
CB: It really didn't sink in until the summer and over into the fall when we got back onto campus. I knew what we had accomplished as a team, and I was extremely proud to be able to help us achieve that goal. The regional went by so fast and after it was over, everyone went their own way back home or straight off to play summer ball. Getting back on campus this past fall was great because we received some recognition for our achievements, and that's when it really hit me what we had accomplished. That is a memory that I can truly say I will never forget.

A-Sun: How do you envision SAAC’s role in the Nashville community in the future?
CB: The short time I have been a part of SAAC, I have already seen our outreach grow tremendously. With the other student-athletes, faculty advisors, and grad assistants, we have all worked extremely hard to promote what SAAC is and to increase our role on campus and in the community. I can only see this growing in the future. We have already worked this year in the Edgehill community trying to boost our relationship with them, and we are currently in the process of putting on a Belmont Student-Athlete Talent Show raising money for Special Olympics Nashville.

A-Sun: What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
CB: I love to play golf, especially in the spring and summer. There is nothing that can compare to getting away from everything for three hours, enjoying the weather, and spending time with some buddies.