A charitable event that has become a popular tradition 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. 12 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Wiley is a co-organizer of the “Bleed Blue, Beat WKU” 2019 blood drive, which was held Nov. 18-20 in the Campus Recreation Center at 1848 Blue Raider Drive.

The blood collected at MTSU by Rutherford County’s Heart of Tennessee chapter of the American Red Cross was to be distributed to hospitals across Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.

The annual competition between MTSU and Western Kentucky University, which began in 2010, focuses on which university can collect the most blood donations during a three-day drive.

The blood drive winner will be announced Nov. 30 during halftime at the football game between the Blue Raiders and the Hilltoppers in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

“The students and the faculty and staff here on our campus are very giving people,” Wiley said. “We live in the Volunteer State for a reason. I think it’s just kind of ingrained in people to realize and recognize that we are blessed. … It’s our civic duty to give back.”

All blood donors were to receive free pizza, a T-shirt, a gift e-card and four tickets to the Nov. 23 MTSU home football game against Old Dominion University.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.