‘Winner’s Circle’ Homecoming Events Await MTSU Students, Alumni

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

The Student Government Association and Alumni Association are collaborating with a number of special events, all around 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 Homecoming game that has a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

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

Ginger Freeman, Alumni Relations director, said “homecoming is a time to celebrate the past, present and future. 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,” SGA Homecoming Director Kimmie Garvey said. “This year’s goal is to bring back the involvement and energy I experienced years ago.”

Since March, the 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.”

Something for everyone

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

Freeman said the Alumni Association is pleased to invite all to watch the parade at 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 it reaches Faulkinberry. Entry information here.

For those who can’t attend in person, a livestream of the Homecoming Parade will air on MTSU’s Facebook page, True Blue TV and mtsu.edu/live.

The third annual MTSU Black Alumni Society Party, 8 p.m. Friday at the Walnut House, 116 N. Walnut Street in downtown Murfreesboro, continues to grow in popularity. Tickets are required. RSVP here.
MTSU partner Textbook Brokers, 1321 Greenland Drive, has an alumni appreciation night from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Discounts, games, giveaways and more.
Student events Thursday, Oct. 12, include a Derby Picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Student Union Commons and the 8 p.m. homecoming concert, sponsored by Student Program and Raider Entertainment, in the Student Union Ballroom.

Golden Raiders, Distinguished Alumni

Golden Raiders (Classes of 1972 and older) gather for a reunion starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 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., also in Ingram, the 2022-23 MTSU Distinguished Alumni will be formally recognized. They include the Distinguished Alumni (Katie Vance) and Young Alumni (Tay Keith) award recipients, 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.