MTSU students, alumni await ‘Blue Raider Rodeo’ Homecoming events

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students, faculty, staff and alumni are making final preparations for events leading up to this year’s Homecoming Game in Floyd Stadium.

The Blue Raiders’ game against the Duke University Blue Devils will have a 3 p.m. kickoff Saturday, Sept. 21, and air on ESPNU. It was originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, but moved to accommodate the ESPNU broadcast.

Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue entertained spectators along Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 23, for the 2023 Homecoming Parade. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — Middle Tennessee State University’s Band of Blue entertains spectators along Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in September 2023 during the MTSU Homecoming Parade. The band again will perform Saturday, Sept. 21, at the parade, Raider Walk and throughout the game between the Blue Raiders and visiting Duke Blue Devils from the Atlantic Coast Conference. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

With the Western theme of “Blue Raider Rodeo,” the MTSU Alumni Association and Student Government Associationare collaborating on numerous special events leading up to Homecoming Day when everyone gathers to reminisce and enjoy the fun activities available to all ages.

Beth Dye, MTSU Alumni Relations assistant director — Beth Dye

SGA 2024 Homecoming Anna Jacobellis — Anna Jacobellis

“It’s a big event,” said SGA Homecoming Director Anna Jacobellis, adding the theme is “a little bit of country, a little bit of Western and a whole lot of Nashville”

Beth Dye, assistant director of Alumni Relations, said they can’t wait to welcome our alums and their families back to MTSU. “It’s always a very special time of year. I’ve met some alumni that haven’t been back on campus since they graduated.”

Leading up to the game, gameday activities will include:

• The annual Mixer on Middle Parade Watching Party at 9:30 a.m. at The Alumni House, 2259 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

• The Homecoming Parade, featuring students’ floats, the Band of Blue and more at 10 a.m., beginning on East Main Street at Maney Avenue, continuing on East Main, turning left on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ending before Greenland Drive. The True Blue TV channel will rebroadcast the parade at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22.

Middle Tennessee State University students, alumni, faculty and staff tailgate during Homecoming Day activities in September 2023, in Walnut Grove on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Tailgating and the increasingly popular first-year Party in the Grove, this time featuring country-rock band The Cadillac Three, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in Walnut Grove. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

• Alumni tailgate barbecue lunch in Walnut Grove near the observatory from noon to 2 p.m. (reservation deadline ended Sept. 12).

• Party in the Grove in Walnut Grove from noon to 3 p.m.

• Raider Walk at 12:45 p.m. in Walnut Grove near Peck Hall.

“We are excited to offer our co-sponsored Alumni and Blue Raider Athletics Association tailgate this year in Walnut Grove,” Dye said. “We’ll be in the center of all the action for Raider Walk and ‘Follow Me to Floyd,’” — the walk through campus to the stadium for the game.

This file photo shows the traditional Raider Walk by members of Middle Tennessee State University's Blue Raider football team in front of Peck Hall in the Walnut Grove area on the west side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU has launched an enhanced pregame experience at home football games this fall with the new Party in the Grove featuring live music, food trucks, tailgating and more. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli) — This file photo shows the traditional Raider Walk by members of Middle Tennessee State University’s Blue Raider football team in front of Peck Hall in the Walnut Grove area on the west side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU has launched an enhanced pregame experience at home football games this fall with the new Party in the Grove featuring live music, food trucks, tailgating and more. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Earlier in the week, SGA and alumni events will include:

Monday, Sept. 16, SGA Swag Wagon around campus.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, Skate Night at the Rec (Campus Recreation Center).
Wednesday, Sept. 18, Country Chili Cookoff in the Floyd Stadium concourse and Homecoming Games in Floyd Stadium.
Thursday, Sept. 19, Country in the Commons on the Student Union Commons.
Friday, Sept. 20, National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show in the Student Union Ballroom.

Members of the Middle Tennessee State University softball team pose for a photo in September 2023, during the Homecoming Parade along Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Sept. 21, will begin at 10 a.m., starting at East Main Street and Maney Avenue, continuing on East Main, turning left on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ending before Greenland Drive. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Golden Raiders, Distinguished Alumni

• Golden Raiders from the Classes of 1974 and earlier will gather for a reunion starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the Sam H. Ingram Building’s MT Center. They take a bus tour of campus, return for noon luncheon and induction ceremony led by university President Sidney A. McPhee, who awards them a special lapel pin and honorary diploma.

• At 4 p.m. Friday, also in Ingram, the 2024-25 MTSU Distinguished Alumni will be formally recognized.

They include the Distinguished Alumni (Peggy Chabrian of Port Orange, Florida) and Young Alumni Achievement (Lexie Phillips of Estill Springs) award recipients, plus four individuals who are True Blue Citations of Distinction recipients: Leah Lyons of Murfreesboro, Judy Goodwin of Murfreesboro, Kristen Gallant of Knoxville, Tennessee, and David Ogg of Murfreesboro. They will also be recognized at halftime during the game. Read more about this year’s recipients.

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