Blue Raiders experience solar eclipse

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee sat perfectly in the path of totality for Monday's solar eclipse, and Blue Raider student-athletes and coaches were among hundreds who took in the sights on the lawn of the university's new Science Building.

The eclipse was the first total solar eclipse over Murfreesboro in over 500 years, and another won't happen until the year 2566.

The truly once-in-a-lifetime event captured the minds and imaginations of all present, and while patrons waited on the moon to cross over the sun's path they were treated to live music, educational discussions and other fun-filled activities.

See some of the comments from Blue Raider student-athletes, coaches and administrators below about the eclipse and the event.

Chris Massaro, MT athletic director:
"Man, that was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. It just shows the campus really does great projects together, with the astronomy group and the media arts group that televised it and put it all on the big screen. We all knew exactly what was happening, so this was one of the best events I've ever been to.

"I've seen a partial eclipse, but not totality. That was really neat to see the diamond ring and shadow snakes on the concrete. All of that was really, really special."

Taylor Hatch, sophomore forward on the MT soccer team:
"The sunset was so cool! I did not expect all of that to happen. I wish it lasted longer – I tried to get a picture, and then it was going back."

Jon Carrothers, redshirt sophomore linebacker on the MT football team:
"Just walking around is good; we love the vibe and we love to see everybody coming out and supporting. Coach Stock was up there trying to get everybody to come out to our first football game, and it was just a really cool event and a family fun time where everybody can see what Murfreesboro's really about."

Precious Birdsong, outfielder on the MT softball team:
"Things like this kind of catch my interest a lot. I like how they've tried to actually make this an event for people to come out and have a good time. Playing music and whatnot and the fun and games until the event comes, I like that."

D.J. Sanders, senior linebacker on the MT football team:
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. I've never seen anything like this, and never really knew it existed, to be honest.

"In the middle of the day and it's getting dark, it's really kind of unbelievable."

Sydney Navarro, junior defender on the MT soccer team:
"I think it's awesome that our school even has something like this. It brought all of these people together, and I think it's a really cool thing. I'm glad to be a part of it."

Tony Foti, MT softball pitching coach:
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was fortunate to be in the 1979 one – I'm sort of showing my age – but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just to see something you only read about and heart about. We're so lucky."

Sally Gill, senior midfielder on the MT soccer team:
"I didn't realize how big it was. I didn't know it was going to be that extreme."

Walter Brady, redshirt junior defensive end on the MT football team:
"It's a great event right here for the community. We've got a lot of people out here on campus getting ready to enjoy something that won't happen for another 500 years here. It's great to have everybody out here on Middle Tennessee's campus, and it shows just how big our community is and how fast it's growing out here."

Middle Tennesee State University Athletics

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