Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
BRAA welcomes new president Womack, six new board members for 2022-23
8/9/2022 10:01:00 AM | BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Six individuals have been voted onto the Blue Raider Athletic Association Board of Directors and Dana Womack has been named the BRAA Board President, it was announced by MTSU Athletics and the BRAA.
Womack takes over for Past President Dr. Walter Chitwood, who served as BRAA President since 2020.
"As a long time supporter of Blue Raider Athletics, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as the Blue Raider Athletic Association President," said Womack. "The University and Athletic Department as a whole are venturing into exciting times. We are fundraising, competing, and recruiting at extremely strong levels moving into the 2022-2023 year and I look forward to being a part of this progression. I also look forward to assisting the team with growing the BRAA membership and helping our student athletes excel."
The new members elected to the Board are Brad Hopkins, Bryan Nale, Dejuan Buford, Jonathan Harmon, Kristen Keene, and Steve Ruckart.
Alongside these new members, the full lineup for the board includes: Andy Jones (4th year), AE Johnson (3rd year), Bill Marbet (4th year), Brad Lamb (Final Year), Hopkins (1st year), Nale (1st year), Chase Salas (Final Year), Col. Wayne Dillingham (Final Year), Dale Patterson (3rd year), Dana Womack (President, 2022-2024), Danny Page (Final Year), David McKnight (3rd year), David Urban (4th year), Buford (1st year), Drew Shea (3rd year), Harmon (1st year), Justin Few (Final Year), Keene (1st year), Larry Beaty (Final Year), Leigh Ann Slate (Final Year), Marshall Campbell (4th year), Matt King (3rd year), Michael Wade (Final Year), Ramsey Hassan (3rd year) and Ruckart (1st year).
Additionally, McKnight was named First Vice President, Salas was named Second Vice President and Johnson was named Secretary/Treasurer at this week's board meeting.
They are joined by Ex-Officio members Chris Massaro (Director of Athletics), Lee De Leon (Deputy Athletics Director), Hans Malebranche (Associate Athletics Director), Dr. Walter Chitwood (Immediate Past President), and Sawyer Roberts (Blue Zoo President).
"Our loyal members were also steadfast during the pandemic, continuing their support with their contributions and purchase of season tickets," said Immediate Past President Chitwood. "Blue Raider fans are indeed the best! Thank you again for allowing me to serve, it was indeed a huge honor."
MTSU Athletics and the Blue Raider Athletic Association raised a record $8.9 million in cash gifts in the 2022 fiscal year. Overall, the department saw an increase in giving of over 300 percent.
It was the largest fundraising year ever for the department, eclipsing the $3.5 million that was raised in 2011.
In all, the Build Blue campaign has raised over $15.3 million in donor cash, donor pledges and additional funds secured towards the over $100 million in transformational changes to the facilities landscape in Murfreesboro. The project impacts all 17 sports sponsored by the Blue Raiders.
The fundraising success comes on the heels of April's announcement of the modernization of the BRAA and an impressive 2021-22 sports season that saw the program finish atop Conference USA in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup rankings.
Comprehensive support of MTSU Athletics donors through the modernized structure of the BRAA has focused on rewarding donors through broadened membership opportunities, priority points and benefits.
Instead of focusing primarily on annual membership contributions, donors now have eight different ways in which they can support MTSU Athletics through Annual Giving and Legacy Giving, including the Champions Annual Fund. All individuals that donate to any area of the Blue Raider Athletic Association at the $100 level or higher are considered members of the BRAA; previously, only donations to the Champions Annual Fund counted towards BRAA membership. Members also receive priority points for any gift to the Blue Raider Athletic Association. Complete details on the modernization of the BRAA can be found in the BRAA Giving Guide.
Individuals wishing to join the BRAA and impact the student-athlete experience can contact the BRAA offices for additional information at (615) 898-2210 or BRAA@mtsu.edu.
Womack takes over for Past President Dr. Walter Chitwood, who served as BRAA President since 2020.
"As a long time supporter of Blue Raider Athletics, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as the Blue Raider Athletic Association President," said Womack. "The University and Athletic Department as a whole are venturing into exciting times. We are fundraising, competing, and recruiting at extremely strong levels moving into the 2022-2023 year and I look forward to being a part of this progression. I also look forward to assisting the team with growing the BRAA membership and helping our student athletes excel."
The new members elected to the Board are Brad Hopkins, Bryan Nale, Dejuan Buford, Jonathan Harmon, Kristen Keene, and Steve Ruckart.
Alongside these new members, the full lineup for the board includes: Andy Jones (4th year), AE Johnson (3rd year), Bill Marbet (4th year), Brad Lamb (Final Year), Hopkins (1st year), Nale (1st year), Chase Salas (Final Year), Col. Wayne Dillingham (Final Year), Dale Patterson (3rd year), Dana Womack (President, 2022-2024), Danny Page (Final Year), David McKnight (3rd year), David Urban (4th year), Buford (1st year), Drew Shea (3rd year), Harmon (1st year), Justin Few (Final Year), Keene (1st year), Larry Beaty (Final Year), Leigh Ann Slate (Final Year), Marshall Campbell (4th year), Matt King (3rd year), Michael Wade (Final Year), Ramsey Hassan (3rd year) and Ruckart (1st year).
Additionally, McKnight was named First Vice President, Salas was named Second Vice President and Johnson was named Secretary/Treasurer at this week's board meeting.
They are joined by Ex-Officio members Chris Massaro (Director of Athletics), Lee De Leon (Deputy Athletics Director), Hans Malebranche (Associate Athletics Director), Dr. Walter Chitwood (Immediate Past President), and Sawyer Roberts (Blue Zoo President).
"Our loyal members were also steadfast during the pandemic, continuing their support with their contributions and purchase of season tickets," said Immediate Past President Chitwood. "Blue Raider fans are indeed the best! Thank you again for allowing me to serve, it was indeed a huge honor."
MTSU Athletics and the Blue Raider Athletic Association raised a record $8.9 million in cash gifts in the 2022 fiscal year. Overall, the department saw an increase in giving of over 300 percent.
It was the largest fundraising year ever for the department, eclipsing the $3.5 million that was raised in 2011.
In all, the Build Blue campaign has raised over $15.3 million in donor cash, donor pledges and additional funds secured towards the over $100 million in transformational changes to the facilities landscape in Murfreesboro. The project impacts all 17 sports sponsored by the Blue Raiders.
The fundraising success comes on the heels of April's announcement of the modernization of the BRAA and an impressive 2021-22 sports season that saw the program finish atop Conference USA in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup rankings.
Comprehensive support of MTSU Athletics donors through the modernized structure of the BRAA has focused on rewarding donors through broadened membership opportunities, priority points and benefits.
Instead of focusing primarily on annual membership contributions, donors now have eight different ways in which they can support MTSU Athletics through Annual Giving and Legacy Giving, including the Champions Annual Fund. All individuals that donate to any area of the Blue Raider Athletic Association at the $100 level or higher are considered members of the BRAA; previously, only donations to the Champions Annual Fund counted towards BRAA membership. Members also receive priority points for any gift to the Blue Raider Athletic Association. Complete details on the modernization of the BRAA can be found in the BRAA Giving Guide.
Individuals wishing to join the BRAA and impact the student-athlete experience can contact the BRAA offices for additional information at (615) 898-2210 or BRAA@mtsu.edu.
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