Nashville Sounds, MTSU honor Armed Forces, raise money for veterans [+VIDEOS]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Sounds baseball club is again auctioning specialty game-worn military jerseys to benefit the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University.

The game-worn jerseys debuted Sunday, May 17, during the team’s Salute to Armed Forces Day and True Blue Day at First Horizon Park, sponsored by MTSU and the Daniels Center.

The auction will run through Monday, July 13. Fans can place bids, which typically start at $100, online at http://www.mtsu.edu/sounds. Proceeds from the jersey sales are donated by the Sounds to the Daniels Center.

Watch a short sizzle reel about the jersey auction:

“The Daniels Center is again grateful to the Nashville Sounds for supporting our mission to serve all veterans and military-connected students and families and helping them succeed academically, professionally and personally,” said Keith M. Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general.

The Sounds have raised over $10,000 annually for the Daniels Center from military jersey auctions in the past three seasons.

Mark Byrnes, provost at Middle Tennessee State University, throwing first pitch from the mound at First Horizon Park. — Mark Byrnes, provost at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., throws out the first pitch at the Nashville Sounds’ Salute to Armed Forces Day and True Blue Day held Sunday, May 17, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. The event was sponsored by MTSU and its Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Woman singing national anthem on baseball field with camera operator in the foreground. — Savannah Spann, a recent songwriting alumna from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., sings the national anthem to open the Nashville Sounds’ Salute to Armed Forces Day and True Blue Day game held Sunday, May 17, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. MTSU and its Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center sponsored the event. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Sunday’s game featured University Provost Mark Byrnes throwing out the ceremonial first pitch; recent songwriting alumna Savannah Spann singing the national anthem and “God Bless America”; and pre-game recognition of Huber by Sounds Chief Operating Officer Adam English and Rick Sweet, the team’s manager.

Watch a video recap of the activities:

The Daniels Center, located in Keathley University Center in the heart of campus, assists approximately 1,300 student veterans and military-connected members annually. Celebrating its 10th year of service, the center is being renovated and expanded from 3,200 to almost 4,100 square feet; work will be finished before the start of the Fall 2026 semester.

The center’s mission is to provide transition services for veterans and their families as they return to civilian life after military service. It is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus and serves all veterans and military-connected families, regardless of affiliation with MTSU.

For more information about the Daniels Center, visit https://www.mtsu.edu/military/ or call 615-904-8347.

The Sounds offer military family discounts for every game at First Horizon Park. A $2 discount on single-game ticket prices is available for any reserved-section seat, subject to availability. The offer is valued for up to four tickets per government-issued military ID presented at the ticket office.

The Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. For more information on single-game tickets and hospitality options for the remainder of the 2025 season, call 615-690-4487 or email tickets@nashvillesounds.com.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)