“Raidercade,” a throwback to arcade games, pinball machines and more, will be the MTSU Student Government Association theme for the 2018 homecoming events this week.

Students, alumni and university friends will celebrate homecoming, which culminates at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, when the Blue Raiders face the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in a Conference USA football game in Floyd Stadium.

Homecoming is a way for everyone connected to the university to celebrate the decades of traditions — food, fun and fellowship at various activities — leading to the game.

For alumni events, visit https://tinyurl.com/y9h74rz9. For SGA-related events, some of which are open to the community, go to www.mtsu.edu/sga/homecoming-events.php.

Most events are free. There’s a charge for the homecoming tailgate lunch, so you’ll need to make your reservations before the event sells out. A ticket also is required to attend the game.

“Homecoming is a celebration of what MTSU means to its students, alumni and community,” said Rhonda King, an assistant director in the Office of Alumni Relations.

MTSU alumni and friends celebrate during a recent homecoming parade. The university will observe its 2018 homecoming Saturday, Oct. 20. (MTSU file photo by Kimi Conro)

“It’s important to celebrate the people you met and the relationships you made through the university,” she added. “Homecoming gives everyone a chance to enjoy themselves as part of the Blue Raider family and get their True Blue on.”

Students will participate in “Rollercade” at the Campus Recreation Center from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. The annual Chili Cook-Off will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18.

For alumni, key events include:

• Golden Raiders Reunion and Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 1968, 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in the Sam Ingram Building MT Center, 2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
• Distinguished Alumni recognition, 4 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Sam Ingram Building MT Center.
• Mixer on Main Parade Watching Party, starts at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20 on the President’s Lawn.

Eddie Gossage, center, 2017-18 MTSU Distinguished Alumnus, waves to the crowd during the homecoming game in October 2017 against Florida International. Brian Walsh, left, is the 2017-18 National Alumni Association president. At right is Susan Young, the widow of Doug Young, who received a posthumous True Blue Citation of Distinction for Service to Community. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

A highlight for everyone is the Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of East Main Street and Maney Avenue. The parade goes down East Main and turns left onto North Baird Lane.

“The Alumni Association is pleased to invite all to watch the parade on the President’s Lawn at Mixer on Main,” King said. “It’s a great family-friendly annual event that is the gathering place for multi-generations of Blue Raiders.”

For more information, call 615-898-2922 or go online to www.mtalumni.com.

2018-19 Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Nic Dugger of Nashville, Tennessee, who has enjoyed an extensive career in the broadcasting field since he was 12 years old.

The Young Alumni Achievement Award, given to a graduate age 35 or younger making a positive impact in the world, goes to Casey Pash of Columbia, South Carolina, who has consistently embodied leadership and service from her time as a student to the present day.

True Blue Citations of Distinction honorees include:

• Achievement in Education (MTSU faculty) — Frank Michello of Murfreesboro, who has excelled at teaching, research and service in a 30-plus-year career at MTSU.
• Achievement in Education (non-MTSU) — Mark Hall of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who is one of the nation’s leading scholars in the areas of health care, public policy and bioethics at the Wake Forest University School of Law.
• Service to the University — Tom and Martha Boyd of Lebanon, Tennessee, who established the Tom and Martha Boyd Endowed Lecture in Ethical Leadership at MTSU in 2011.
• Service to the Community — Whit Turnbow of Murfreesboro, former senior associate athletic director and golf coach, who founded the “True Blue Turnbow Project” to provide winter coats for children.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

An entire family represents True Blue pride at homecoming in October 2017. (MTSU file photo by Eric Sutton)

Alumni, family and friends enjoy the festivities surrounding the 2017 MTSU homecoming and pregame activities. (MTSU file photo by Eric Sutton)