For old and young alike, MTSU Homecoming 2016 featured lots of fun pregame events Oct. 15, including the annual parade down East Main Street, children’s activities and plenty of food and drink at tailgating, alumni and departmental lunches.
Fans, cheerleaders and the Band of Blue greeted the Blue Raiders during the Raider Walk.
Surrounded by previous recipients, the 2016 homecoming king and queen, Denarius Stinson and Megan Berry, were crowned during halftime festivities.
Conference USA rival Western Kentucky played the role of spoiler, emerging with a 44-43 double overtime victory in a game decided by a missed extra point.
MTSU cheerleaders and the Band of Blue lead fans in cheering on the Blue Raiders during their walk in Walnut Grove as they head for the stadium. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)
Mixer on Main on the President’s Lawn provided a perfect place to view the annual MTSU homecoming parade, plus enjoy lunch with other alumni and friends.(MTSU photo by Kimi Conro)
Megan Berry and Denarius Stinson celebrate after they were named 2016 homecoming queen and king during MTSU’s 2016 homecoming halftime festivities. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
MTSU students are in a festive mood as they tailgate in Walnut Grove before the MTSU-Western Kentucky homecoming game. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)
MTSU fans get their homecoming ‘game’ on for activities [+VIDEO]
Playing off the popular Monopoly board game, “Raideropoly … This is How We Roll” is the 2016 MTSU homecoming theme.
Following fall break for students and faculty, homecoming week events kick in Wednesday, Oct. 12, and conclude with the 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, game against Conference USA rival Western Kentucky in Floyd Stadium.
In this 2015 file photo, MTSU students, alumni and fans gather in Walnut Grove to tailgate during last year’s homecoming day activities. MTSU celebrates homecoming Saturday, Oct. 15, with numerous activities. (MTSU file photos by J. Intintoli)
There are numerous events for students, alumni and friends of the university as homecoming — an annual rite of autumn in the middle of the semester — is celebrated. They include:
- Chili Cook-off — 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in Floyd Stadium.
- Pep rally — 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in the Student Union Commons.
- Golden Raiders Society featuring Class of 1966 — 10 a.m. Oct. 14 in the Sam Ingram Building MT Center (RSVP to 615-898-2922).
- Distinguished Alumni introduction — 4 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Sam Ingram Building MT Center.
- National Pan-Hellenic Step Show — 7 p.m. Oct. 14 (ticket required).
- Mixer on Main Parade-Watching Party — 9 a.m. Oct. 15, on the President’s Lawn.
- Homecoming Parade — 9:30 a.m. (parade route goes down East Main Street, crosses Middle Tennessee Boulevard and turns left onto Baird Lane).
- Homecoming Tailgate Lunch — on the President’s Lawn following the parade (reservations required).
Various departmental pregame tailgates also will be held. For complete schedules and more information, visit www.mtalumni.com and http://www.mtsu.edu/sga/homecoming.php.
“Homecoming is a celebration of what MT means to its students, alumni and community,” said Rhonda King, alumni relations assistant director. “It’s important to celebrate the people you met and the relationships you made through the university. Homecoming gives everyone a chance to enjoy themselves as part of the Blue Raider family. We want you to return to campus and see what MTSU is today.”
“Whether you graduated five months ago or are celebrating your Golden Raider 50th Reunion, it’s time to come home to Middle Tennessee,” King added.
Student Government Association homecoming director Abbi Tabor said she wanted to “bring creativity and excitement to the homecoming theme.” Hence, “Raideropoly.”
“‘Raideropoly’ has been such an exciting thing to plan and I am so excited to see everyone’s hard work pay off,” Tabor said. “Homecoming has always been my favorite time of the year. I love being a Blue Raider and homecoming just lets me express that.”
In this October 2015 file photo, MTSU students follow a truck-driven float during last year’s parade. This year’s parade, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15, goes down East Main Street and turns left onto Baird Lane.
The student kickoff event will be a first-time event — a glow paint dance party starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the MTSU RV Park near Greenland Drive.
“The music, lights, and paint flying around is going to be insane,” Tabor said. “I am so excited for this event and I can’t wait to be covered in paint.”
Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland (Class of 197) will lead Saturday’s parade as grand marshal.
Calling the parade at the MTSU Alumni Association’s 11th annual Mixer on Main will be Chip Walters (Class of ’85), the voice of the Blue Raiders, and Beverly Keel (Class of ’88), recording industry chair and music industry insider.
Open to all, Mixer on Main will be a family-friendly place to watch the parade. Souvenir photos and children’s activities are planned, along with refreshments and music.
Because of the Middle Tennessee Boulevard redesign project, MTSU officials urge attendees to exercise caution when crossing at intersections and while standing on the sidewalks, which are part of the construction zone, during the parade.
The coronation of the 2016 Homecoming Queen and King will take place on the field. Past alumni recipients will join them.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
Featuring “Raideropoly” as part of the theme, board games will be utilized during part of MTSU homecoming week activities and among many events leading to the Blue Raiders football game against Western Kentucky at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15. (Submitted graphic)
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