Meet the Staff

Russell Grimm

Russell Grimm

Executive Director of the Bruin Club

615.460.5668
russell.grimm@belmont.edu

Russell Grimm was promoted to Executive Director of the Bruin Club in May 2022.

Hired as Director of Athletic Fundraising in 2016, Grimm has spearheaded a 1,700 percent increase in giving to athletics and 300 percent increase in annual fund giving over the last six years.

Grimm oversees all aspects of Belmont University athletic development, including the Bruin Club, the newly created Athletic Excellence Initiative, endowed athletic scholarships, The Betty Wiseman Mission Fund, facility projects, donor relations, hospitality, the Bruin Club Golf Classic and other special events.

“Russell has been an incredible asset to Belmont Athletics,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics Scott Corley. “Through his dedication and hard work, our athletic fundraising has reached historic levels. The future of the Bruin Club is very bright under Russell’s leadership; I am excited for him on this well-deserved promotion.”

Added Vice President of University Advancement, Perry Moulds “Russell has grown all aspects of Athletic development, from significantly increasing Bruin Club membership and revenue to raising much needed support for Belmont’s transition to the Missouri Valley Conference. He is a steadfast leader in both the Departments of Athletics and Development. I could not be more happy to see Russell serve as the first Executive Director of the Bruin Club, and I look forward to seeing even greater success under his leadership.“

Grimm led gift conversations resulting in over 50 major gifts to Belmont Athletics and the creation of more than 25 new endowed scholarships.

Grimm previously served in athletic development roles at VCU, Boston College and Michigan.

The Franklin, Tennessee native graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2007 with a B.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media. Following his time in Knoxville, he moved back home to Nashville to pursue his Masters of Sport Administration from Belmont, graduating from the University’s MSA Program in 2009. 

Russell and his wife Erin live in west Nashville with their dogs, Jackson & Franklin. 

Collin Sonderman

Collin Sonderman

Assistant Director of Athletic Development

615.460.5051
collin.sonderman@belmont.edu

Belmont Athletics is pleased to announce the hire of Collin Sonderman to the position of Assistant Director of Athletic Development.

Reporting to newly elevated Executive Director of the Bruin Club Russell Grimm, Sonderman will support all aspects of Belmont University athletic fundraising, including the Bruin Club, the newly created Athletic Excellence Initiative, endowed athletic scholarships, The Betty Wiseman Mission Fund, facility projects, donor relations, hospitality, the Bruin Club Golf Classic and other special events.

“We are thrilled for Collin to join the Belmont Bruin family,” Grimm said. “Collin’s experience will prove valuable to his transition to Belmont. His friendly, easy-going nature, passion for college athletics, confidence in his ability to get the job done and clear desire to be at Belmont shone through in the interview process. Additionally, his impeccable references spoke to his ability and readiness to take the next step and advance his career in athletic development here at Belmont.”

Sonderman spent the past year as a Development Assistant for Membership Services for The Rams Club at the University of North Carolina, part of a team that raised over $500 million for the Campaign for Carolina Athletics and $12.5 million for the Rams Club Annual Fund.

His responsibilities extended to donor relations, football and men’s basketball pre-game hospitality, student worker management, data analysis and digital media. Sonderman was also a ticket and donor relations advocate during North Carolina’s March Madness run to the National Championship game.

“Collin’s appointment is a clear nod to the positive trajectory Belmont Athletics—and more specifically the Bruin Club—continues to follow under the leadership of President Greg Jones, Director of Athletics/Vice President Scott Corley and Vice President of Advancement Perry Moulds. I am appreciative of their efforts to help us grow the Bruin Club staff as we aim to support our student-athletes and coaches at a higher level than ever before.”

Sonderman also spent three years working for the Seahawk Club at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Of note, Sonderman helped raise $1.09 million for scholarships at UNCW in 2020-21, the second-highest total in Seahawk Club history.

A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Sonderman earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing strategy. Sonderman’s first day at Belmont was June 6, 2022