Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
The Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center, commonly known as the Murphy Center, is the home of the Blue Raider athletic department at Middle Tennessee State University. Opening its doors on December 11, 1972, the building is named in honor of Charles M. Murphy, the former director of athletics. He was a standout athlete in the 1930s and also served as the head coach of MTSU football (1947–1968), basketball (1948–1949), and baseball (1951, 1953–1955) programs.
Situated on the northwest edge of campus, adjacent to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, the Murphy Center houses most of the university’s athletics offices, several classrooms, multiple practice gymnasiums, training rooms, locker rooms, weight rooms, dance studios, racquetball courts, and notably, the 11,802-seat multi-purpose Monte Hale/Jimmy Earle Arena.
Known as the “Glass House,” the Murphy Center is the home of Middle Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball. It has hosted numerous events, including multiple conference tournaments, an NCAA Regional, MTSU indoor track and field, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s boys and girls Division I state high school basketball championships, commencement ceremonies, and various concerts. Renowned artists such as Elvis Presley, Bon Jovi, KISS, The Judds, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Elton John, U2, Diana Ross, Jack Harlow, and more have graced its stage.
Scheduled upgrades and revitalization are planned for the entrance and seating bowl of the Murphy Center, ensuring it remains an ideal venue for hosting events. Future projects include a grand, fan-friendly entrance, a large interior atrium, a ticket office, and state-of-the-art training and skills center for both basketball programs.
In the spring of 2025, MTSU installed a new $1.5M sound system by Spectrum. The company used Martin Audio's Wavefront Precision loudspeakers, which are designed to enhance audio coverage and clarity using advanced digital signal processing. The scalable resolution features allow for variable vertical coverage and the patented Hard Avoid technology, which minimizes reflections from surfaces like scoreboards and walls. This ensures improved sound intelligibility and consistency for various venue scenarios, providing an exceptional listening experience. The previous system covered about 70% of the audience area; however, the new system ensures there isn't a bad seat in the house.
