Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
MT Athletics unveils new and improved Blue Raider Softball Field
2/8/2021 5:00:00 PM | Softball
University, athletic department officials cut ribbon on upgraded facility
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Blue Raider Softball Field has officially become one of the best softball diamonds in the region, as Middle Tennessee State University and athletic department officials held a ribbon cutting at the updated stadium on Monday.
"Coach Breeden and his staff have worked diligently to build a successful program," MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee said as he opened Monday's ribbon cutting event. "This new addition to our facility will position our coaches and our team to continue their excellence."
The latest project, which began in the late summer of 2020 and concluded early in the winter, was a total cost of $500,000. The old bleachers were removed and replaced with a total of 470 bench backs, 86 chair backs and seven ADA seating placements to make up a seating capacity of 563.
Also in the newest project plan was an installment of new walkways behind both dugouts as well as a fan-friendly brick entryway.
"Over the last three years with the new padded walls, the video board and now the chair back seats with the new bleachers, we have made games so much more enjoyable to watch," MT Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "As you can see, it truly takes a village. I wish our team and future student athletes nothing but success in this fabulous facility."
Bill Marbet along with Jim and Beth O'Brien were the donors that made the latest set of renovations possible. Marbet and the O'Briens have been longtime supporters of Blue Raider Athletics and longtime friends of MT softball Head Coach Jeff Breeden.
"Today means a lot, and it's been a long time coming," Jim O'Brien said. "Our program has moved up each level, and it's come a long way. … This whole thing is about recruiting, and when you have better players, it just raises the whole program up."
Monday's ribbon cutting ceremony marked the end of MT's third set of upgrades to Blue Raider Softball Field since it opened in 1994. In 2006, a $500,000 upgrade included a concession stand, public restrooms, two camera decks, new dugouts and a landscaped entryway.
The 2020 season saw the second round of upgrades to Blue Raider Softball Field. Padded outfield walls and an LED video board became the latest stadium enhancement. MT's new video board stretches 27-feet wide by 14-feet tall and displays 16:9 LED video.
"Eight years ago, when I took this job, I had some ideas about what I wanted things to be like here. I wanted to compete for championships — and we did that in '18 — and put us on the national stage, and we've done that," MT Head Coach Jeff Breeden said.
"All the stuff we've done in the last three years really takes our facility to a new level, and that's something that we can be very proud of. … All 28 teams that have come before us have had a big part in [where we are today.]"
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
"Coach Breeden and his staff have worked diligently to build a successful program," MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee said as he opened Monday's ribbon cutting event. "This new addition to our facility will position our coaches and our team to continue their excellence."
The latest project, which began in the late summer of 2020 and concluded early in the winter, was a total cost of $500,000. The old bleachers were removed and replaced with a total of 470 bench backs, 86 chair backs and seven ADA seating placements to make up a seating capacity of 563.
Also in the newest project plan was an installment of new walkways behind both dugouts as well as a fan-friendly brick entryway.
"Over the last three years with the new padded walls, the video board and now the chair back seats with the new bleachers, we have made games so much more enjoyable to watch," MT Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "As you can see, it truly takes a village. I wish our team and future student athletes nothing but success in this fabulous facility."
Bill Marbet along with Jim and Beth O'Brien were the donors that made the latest set of renovations possible. Marbet and the O'Briens have been longtime supporters of Blue Raider Athletics and longtime friends of MT softball Head Coach Jeff Breeden.
"Today means a lot, and it's been a long time coming," Jim O'Brien said. "Our program has moved up each level, and it's come a long way. … This whole thing is about recruiting, and when you have better players, it just raises the whole program up."
Monday's ribbon cutting ceremony marked the end of MT's third set of upgrades to Blue Raider Softball Field since it opened in 1994. In 2006, a $500,000 upgrade included a concession stand, public restrooms, two camera decks, new dugouts and a landscaped entryway.
The 2020 season saw the second round of upgrades to Blue Raider Softball Field. Padded outfield walls and an LED video board became the latest stadium enhancement. MT's new video board stretches 27-feet wide by 14-feet tall and displays 16:9 LED video.
"Eight years ago, when I took this job, I had some ideas about what I wanted things to be like here. I wanted to compete for championships — and we did that in '18 — and put us on the national stage, and we've done that," MT Head Coach Jeff Breeden said.
"All the stuff we've done in the last three years really takes our facility to a new level, and that's something that we can be very proud of. … All 28 teams that have come before us have had a big part in [where we are today.]"
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
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