MTSU alumnus Kris Thomas sings the national anthem before the Sept. 14 Blue Raiders football game against the University of Memphis. Thomas, who competed on NBC’s “The Voice” reality show last spring, also was welcomed back to campus at a reception hosted by the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

All eyes were on an MTSU alumnus — for about two minutes — during Saturday’s “Battle of the Blue” game that saw the Blue Raiders defeat the University of Memphis Tigers 17-15 .

Memphis native Kris Thomas, a 2008 MTSU graduate with a degree in psychology, sang the national anthem before the 6 p.m. kickoff Sept. 14 inside Floyd Stadium.

The Conference USA game aired on the CSS network and was part of a “Hall of Fame Weekend” that included a special pregame induction ceremony for the five newest Blue Raiders Hall of Fame members.

Thomas, 27, spent an eight-week run on NBC’s “The Voice” last spring, earning repeated praise for his “incredible” vocal performances and reaching the top 10 before he was eliminated from the show on May 21. More than 50,000 people auditioned for the reality singing show.

Before his special pregame appearance, Thomas was welcomed back to campus at a reception inside the Wood-Stegall Center hosted by the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Thomas minored in industrial and organizational psychology and management at MTSU and performed in talent showcases during his school years. A piano player since age 5, his musical foundation came from singing in his father’s church.

He began work on an MBA degree at MTSU but decided that music was his true goal. He landed a brief record development deal after graduation but changed course and had almost decided to join the U.S. Navy before “The Voice” called.

He’s already released a well-received single, “Balloons,” and is working on his first independent studio album. You can learn more about Thomas at his website, http://kristhomasmusik.com.

College of Behavioral and Health Sciences Dean Terry Whiteside, left, welcomes MTSU alumnus Kris Thomas to campus Sept. 14 with gifts that included an autographed football signed by MT football coach Rick Stockstill. The college held a reception for Thomas, a psychology major, in the Wood-Stegall Center before he sang the national anthem at the MTSU-University of Memphis football game. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

MTSU alumnus Kris Thomas, left, sings “I’ll Stand by You” on the May 21 episode of NBC’s “The Voice” as his celebrity coach, Shakira, listens approvingly. (File photo courtesy of NBC.com)