Students, alumni await ‘A True Boo! MTSU Homecoming’ Oct. 25-30

With a special annual university event happening around Halloween this year, the Student Government Association crafted “A True Boo!” MTSU Homecoming theme as the Blue Raider community anticipates resuming the in-person tradition of the Homecoming Parade.

SGA and the Office of Alumni Relations are preparing for an extra-special Homecoming 2021 for the week of Oct. 25-30 for students, staff, faculty and alumni, who are awaiting a return to some in-person events this year after COVID-19 put a damper on things in 2020.

The MTSU Band of Blue marches north on Middle Tennessee Boulevard from East Main Street while performing at the 2019 MTSU Homecoming. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Rhonda Wright King, assistant director, Office of Alumni Relations

Rhonda King

Homecoming is a way for everyone connected to the university to celebrate the decades of traditions, including food, fun and fellowship at various activities, leading to the Blue Raiders game against Southern Mississippi. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in Floyd Stadium.

To find Alumni Relations events, visit www.mtalumni.com or call 615-898-2922. Information on SGA-related events is available here.

Masks are still required inside all MTSU buildings as a COVID-19 precaution.

“After last year’s homecoming was mostly virtual activities, this year is special as we welcome alumni and friends back to the university,” said Rhonda King, assistant director of alumni relations.

“Homecoming is a celebration of what MTSU means to its students, alumni and community. 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 and get their True Blue on.”

A stuffed animal version of MTSU mascot Lightning stands on a scaled-down replica of a Homecoming Parade float with True Blue pom-poms and MT football — one of about five dozen entries submitted by Blue Raider faithful for the virtual “MTShUbox Parade” in early October 2020. True Blue TV will broadcast this year’s rundown of entries at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25. (Submitted photo)

A stuffed version of MTSU mascot Lightning stands on a scaled-down replica of a Homecoming Parade float with True Blue pom-poms and MT football, one of about five dozen entries submitted by Blue Raider faithful for the virtual “MTShUbox Parade” in October 2020. True Blue TV will broadcast this year’s rundown of entries for the newly renamed “MTShUbox Showcase” at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25. (Submitted photo)

Homecoming highlights

Game day events on Oct. 30 will include the return of an in-person parade. The annual Mixer on Middle Parade-Watching Party begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 10 a.m.

A tailgate luncheon, sponsored by the MTSU Alumni Association, Blue Raider Athletic Association and First Horizon Bank, will follow the parade, along with a College of Basic and Applied Sciences tailgate — all on Saturday before kickoff.

WATCH: For those who can’t attend the Homecoming Parade in person, it will be available to watch live on True Blue TV, the MTSU livestream and the MTSU Facebook page.

The week also will feature the return of the virtual “MTShUbox Parade” float entries, now called the “MTShUbox Showcase,” which kicks off Homecoming Week activities at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, airing on True Blue TV.

The university’s homecoming events also include :

• Alumni Halloween Virtual Trivia at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26.

• MTSU College Panhellenic’s annual Trick-or-Treat on Greek Row, set from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27.

• The Golden Raider Reunion for the Classes of 1970 and ’71 on Friday, Oct. 29. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will be congratulate them at the induction ceremony.

The 2021-22 MTSU Distinguished Alumni Award recipients also will be recognized during the parade and game. Their Friday, Oct. 29, awards presentation is invitation-only as a COVID safety precaution,but will be live-streamed.

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

Because of COVID-19, socially distanced members of the MTSU Band of Blue wore masks as they performed during the first half of the 2020 Homecoming Game in October 2020 in Floyd Stadium. MTSU’s Blue Raiders will face Southern Mississippi at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Homecoming Game to conclude “A True Boo MTSU Homecoming” week. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Socially distanced members of the MTSU Band of Blue wear masks as they perform during the first half of the university’s October 2020 Homecoming Game in Floyd Stadium. MTSU’s Blue Raiders will face Southern Mississippi at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, to conclude the 2021 “True Boo MTSU Homecoming” week. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Along with the MTSU Creamery cow, a group of children enjoy chocolate milk during the “Moo-ving Happy Hour” homecoming event in early October 2020 in the Greenland Drive parking lot adjacent to Murphy Center. For this year’s “True Boo MTSU Homecoming” events, visit www.mtalumni.com or call 615-898-2922. For SGA events, go here. Masks are required inside all MTSU buildings as a COVID-19 precaution. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

A group of children enjoy chocolate milk with the MTSU Creamery cow in this file photo from the October 2020 “Moo-ving Happy Hour” homecoming event in the Greenland Drive parking lot adjacent to Murphy Center. For this year’s “True Boo MTSU Homecoming” events, visit www.mtalumni.com or call 615-898-2922. For SGA event information, visit www.mtsu.edu/sga/homecoming.php. Masks are required inside all MTSU buildings as a COVID-19 precaution. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)