If a title of 'Mr. Belmont' were to be assigned, Ron Bargatze would be a leading candidate.

Ron Bargatze was the ultimate Belmont two-sport athlete in the early 60’s, excelling in both baseball and basketball where he earned All-VSAC honors in both sports. A utility player in baseball and point guard for the basketball team, Ron was a leader both on and off the playing field.  He was a member of the historic 1965 basketball team under Coach Wayne Dobbs that upset Western Kentucky University in year two of E. A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky.

Early on as a player it was clear that Ron had a “coach’s mentality” and was a leader on the hard-court.  He would later enter the coaching ranks as Head Coach at Austin Peay and Trevecca University and Assistant Coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores, and later head coach of the minor league professional Music City Jammers.

A prominent sports figure and radio commentator through the years in Nashville and middle Tennessee, Ron continues to be a faithful supporter of Belmont Athletics.

Bargatze also received the Chaney Memorial Award in 1987.