MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The October episode of “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s television program, looks ahead to MTSU’s 2026 Homecoming, explores the university’s growing Esports program and new Level Up Arena, and showcases an international musical collaboration with the University of The Bahamas.

This month’s episode highlights plans for 2026 Homecoming, set for Nov. 6–7 with the theme “Blue Raider Country,” including the return of familiar traditions and a new concert at Murphy Center. It also takes viewers inside the new Esports Level Up Arena in the Student Union, where students can compete, play casually and connect with the campus gaming community.

The episode closes with a special performance featuring the Coral Ensemble from the University of The Bahamas and MTSU’s Schola Cantorum, followed by a conversation about the connections created through music.

This month’s guests and features were interviewed or presented by program host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the Division of Marketing and Communications.

October’s highlights include:

• Ginger Freeman, director of MTSU’s Alumni Relations, previews this year’s Homecoming activities, including the new Live at MTSU concert featuring Bailey Zimmerman and Waka Flocka Flame, the Golden Raiders gathering, alumni awards, the Homecoming parade, Party in the Grove, Raider Walk and the Blue Raiders’ matchup with Western Kentucky. She also discusses how the Alumni Association keeps graduates connected through events, webinars, career programming, the Middle Minute e-newsletter and other opportunities throughout the year.

• Karli Sutton, reporter for True Blue TV, takes viewers inside MTSU’s new Esports Level Up Arena in the Student Union. With more than 90 members and teams competing in 11 gaming titles, the program brings together students interested in competitive gaming and the broader gaming community. The new arena includes spaces for competitive teams and casual play, while also offering opportunities to explore careers in areas such as media, advertising and production.

• The Coral Ensemble from the University of The Bahamas joins MTSU’s Schola Cantorum for a special performance filmed in Hinton Hall inside the Wright Music Building. The visit, made possible through an invitation from MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and financial support from MTSU Board of Trustees member John Floyd, gave students from both universities an opportunity to perform and learn together. Following the performance, faculty members discuss how music created a shared experience between students from different countries.

You can watch the full episode below:

Ways to watch, listen

• “Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

• It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; WNPX “The Spot – Nashville 28” at 4:30 a.m. on Saturdays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

• It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.

— Karli Sutton ([email protected])