‘MTSU On the Record’ rolls up its sleeves for annual ‘Bleed Blue’ blood drive

The annual competition between two fierce Conference USA rivals was the focus of a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Ray Wiley

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Ray Wiley, associate director of campus recreation, first aired Nov. 7 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Wiley is one of the organizers of the seventh annual “Bleed Blue” blood drive pitting MTSU supporters against Western Kentucky University backers.

The public is always encouraged to join the campus community in donating blood to the American Red Cross at MTSU’s Campus Recreation Center Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 13-15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

While walk-ins are welcome, donors can save time — and move to the head of the line — by making an appointment at the Red Cross website.

“These blood drives will never stop,” said Wiley. “They need to be ongoing, and they need to be supported. They need to be annual just so that we can keep up with the demand.”

MTSU supporters are four-time champs in the “Bleed Blue, Beat WKU” challenge, helping to collect more than 6,800 total pints of blood with WKU since 2010.

Because each unit of blood can aid three different patients, the friendly competition has so far helped more than 20,500 people across Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.