‘Winner’s Circle’ homecoming events await MTSU students, alumni

MTSU students, alumni and Blue Raider fans are preparing for mid-October homecoming festivities.

The MTSU Student Government Association and Alumni Association are collaborating with a number of special events, all with the theme of “MTSU Winner’s Circle.”

Homecoming-related events will be held the week of Oct. 10-16 with the primary activities occurring Friday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15, when the Blue Raiders host Western Kentucky in the 2:30 p.m. homecoming game.

MTSU sorority sisters take a selfie under a tent during the rain that did not dampen spirits for tailgating during the 2021 homecoming activities before the game. This year's main activities will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14-15, and other days and times throughout the week. Homecoming Day will be Oct. 15. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli) — MTSU Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters take a group selfie under a tent during the rain thats dampened tailgating, but not spirits, during 2021 homecoming pregame activities in this file photo. Primary activities for homecoming 2022 will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14-15, with other events scheduled throughout the week. Homecoming day is Oct. 15. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Homecoming is a special time when everyone connected to the university — students, alumni, fans and friends from the community — comes together to celebrate the decades of traditions — tailgating food and fun, Homecoming Parade, Raider Walk and more — leading to the game.

SGA events can be found at www.mtsu.edu/sga/homecoming-events.php. Alumni Association events can be found at https://bit.ly/3ygFCBy.

Ginger Freeman, director, MTSU Office of Alumni Relations — Ginger Freeman

“Homecoming is a time to celebrate the past, present and future,” Alumni Relations Director Ginger Freeman said. “It is a celebration of what MTSU means to alumni, students and the community. Homecoming gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy themselves as part of the Blue Raider family. It is a great time to show you are True Blue.”

“Our hope is that this is a homecoming students, alumni and community will remember for a long time,” added SGA Homecoming Director Kimmie Garvey. “This year’s goal is to bring back the involvement and energy I experienced years ago.”

Since March, the MTSU Homecoming Committee has been “brainstorming, creating and planning everything for the week of homecoming,” Garvey added.

“They gathered students’ opinions on events, what attractions to bring at the events and accommodations for different students’ needs. … Homecoming brings everyone back together to celebrate a family of True Blue and love for MTSU.”

MTSU students walk with their float they created for the 2021 Homecoming Parade down Middle Tennessee Boulevard in front of The Alumni House. Rain did not dampen the spirits of those attending the annual event. This year’s Homecoming Day events, including the parade, will be Saturday, Oct. 15. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli) — Rain dampened activities but not the spirits of those attending MTSU’s 2021 homecoming, including students walking under umbrellas with the float they created for the Homecoming Parade down Middle Tennessee Boulevard in front of the Alumni House. This year’s homecoming events will build toward the big final day of Saturday, Oct. 15, which will feature the parade, tailgating and a 2:30 p.m. football kickoff against Western Kentucky. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Something for everyone

Homecoming Day features the parade, a Mixer on Middle parade-watching party, tailgating in the Walnut Grove and nearby spots around Floyd Stadium and more.

Freeman said the Alumni Association is pleased to invite everyone to watch the parade at the Mixer on Middle at the Alumni House, 2259 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

“It’s a great family-friendly annual event that is the gathering place for multi-generations of Blue Raiders,” she said.

The parade begins on East Main Street at Maney Avenue, continues down East Main, turns left onto Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ends about the time it reaches Faulkinberry Drive. Freeman said the best viewing will be before the parade gets to Faulkinberry. You can find parade entry information here..

For those who can’t attend in person, a recorded replay of the Homecoming Parade will air later Saturday on MTSU’s True Blue TV. (Editor’s note: The parade will not be livestreamed as originally posted.)

• The third annual MTSU Black Alumni Society Party, set 8 p.m. Friday at the Walnut House, 116 N. Walnut Street in downtown Murfreesboro, continues to grow in popularity. Tickets are required, and you can RSVP here.

• MTSU partner Textbook Brokers, 1321 Greenland Drive, has an alumni appreciation night from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and will be offering discounts, games, giveaways and more.

• Student events on Thursday, Oct. 12, include a Derby Picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Student Union Commons and the 8 p.m. homecoming concert, sponsored by Student Programming and Raider Entertainment, or SPARE, in the Student Union Ballroom.

MTSU students cheer on the Blue Raiders in Floyd Stadium on in October 2021. MTSU’s Blue Raider host rival Western Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in this year’s Homecoming Game.(MTSU file photo by Creative Marketing Solutions) — MTSU students cheer on the Blue Raiders in Floyd Stadium in this October 2021 file photo. MTSU’s Blue Raider host rival Western Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in this year’s homecoming game.(MTSU file photo by Creative Marketing Solutions)

Golden Raiders, Distinguished Alumni

• Golden Raiders, featuring the Class of 1972 and preceding classes, will gather for a reunion starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in the Sam H. Ingram Building’s MT Center. They plan to take a bus tour of campus, then return for a noon luncheon and induction ceremony led by university President Sidney A. McPhee, who will present the 50th anniversary graduates with a special lapel pin and diploma.

• At 4 p.m., also in Ingram, the 2022-23 MTSU Distinguished Alumni will be formally recognized. They include the Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni award recipients — Katie Vance and Tay Keith — plus five individuals who are True Blue Citations of Distinction recipients: Ed Arning, Alanna Vaught, Jackie Morgan, Elveta Cooper and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert Powell. Read more about this year’s recipients here.

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