James Tillman is a name associated with Belmont Athletics from the 1960s, when he dominated the mound on the baseball field, and from 1988-1993 when he returned to Belmont in the Office of Development and later served as Athletics Director from 1994-96. 

Tillman was a standout pitcher for the Rebels in 1961-1962. Tillman’s name still graces the baseball record books where his career earned run average of 2.45 still ranks sixth in school history. In 1962, he was drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates, becoming the first Belmont baseball player to be drafted into the Major Leagues.

A popular guy both on and off the playing field, Tillman was the consummate teammate and friend.