Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Soccer Welcomes Southern Indiana for first exhibition tomorrow!
8/7/2023 5:53:00 PM | Football, General, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Come on out to Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium this week, as MTSU begins the 2023 season with an exhibition match against Southern Indiana this Tuesday, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m.
While technically the second event of the fall season after Sunday's Blue-White scrimmage, Blue Raider fans will now get their first chance to see Head Coach Aston Rhoden's squad in action against another opponent ahead of the official start of the regular season next Thursday against Louisiana.
Speaking of the Blue-White game, Assistant Coach Hannah Hoefs' Team White triumphed over Assistant Coach Zak Davis' Team Blue 1-0 on Sunday in a scrimmage that the soccer staff has made an event with draft days before the game and a cup going to the winning squad.
Volleyball experiences one of the best days on the Athletic Department calendar
Monday marked report day for Blue Raider Volleyball and with it one of the most exciting moments for student athletes here in Murfreesboro: Equipment Day!
Or as I often refer to it: "Nike Christmas"
Our equipment staff, led by Larry Maples, does such a great job outfitting all of our teams here at MTSU, but there's something special about a team getting to see their uniforms, practice gear and everything else that comes with being a Division-I athlete. Head Coach Chuck Crawford talked about that moment earlier this summer on the Coaches Check-In Podcast.
"You watch an 18-year-old freshman walk into their locker room and see their locker completely decked out with their gear," Crawford said. "It's fun for them. You look at the memories they're going to have and that's one of their first team, collegiate memories. They'll have that memory with them for the rest of their life."
MTSU Volleyball starts the 2023 season on August 15 with their annual Blue-White scrimmage.
Second Blue Raider Family Fun Night set for Friday in Smyrna!
Join MTSU Athletics at Lee Victory Park in Smyrna for a FREE night of family fun on August 11!
The Blue Raiders will have inflatables, face painting, balloon artistry and giveaways, while Kona Ice will give out free cups to the first 200 fans in attendance!
Check out the fun that was had earlier this month at Murfreesboro's Strike and Spare!
CUSA WAC Challenge Set for both men's and women's basketball
The matchups have been set for the inaugural CUSA/WAC Challenge, with the Blue Raiders and the Lady Raiders both hosting Stephen F. Austin at the Murphy Center, while the men will travel to Southern Utah and the women will travel to Grand Canyon.
Each school in the CUSA is guaranteed one home game and one away game for both basketball teams as part of the scheduling imitative, with the goal of matching up programs similarly situated in their respective conferences. MTSU's women, the reigning CUSA Champions, will face off against the reigning WAC Champion Stephen F. Austin.
Men's Basketball prepares for Italy Trip
I enjoyed stopping by the Blue Raiders' practice in the Alumni Memorial Gym last week ahead of their trip to Italy in the coming days, where Jared Coleman-Jones, Elias King and Head Coach Nick McDevitt all had positive vibes about the cohesion of the 2023-24 roster before the Blue Raiders travel to Southern Europe.
One comment that wasn't on these videos that stood out to me about the logistics of these overseas tours is how many little things have to be taken care of by the players and staff. Associate Head Coach Wes Long reminded the team, for instance, to call their banks to let them know they'll be in Italy and to get bank cards to help with monetary exchanges once they're there.
Join Chip Walters on WGNS Media Day at Blue Raider Football Camp
This has been in the works for a little bit, but I'm excited that MTSU Football will have a radio row from Fall Camp on Wednesday, August 9, and that I get to play a small part in it!
I'll be on with Voice of the Blue Raiders Chip Walters on WGNS (FM 101.9 | AM 1450 Murfreesboro, FM 100.5 Smyrna) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, breaking down some of the early storylines from the first week of practice at MTSU.
Weather and Schedule permitting, the following radio/broadcast programs are also expected to broadcast live from the Practice Field outside of Floyd Stadium on Wednesday.
102.5 The Game
104.5 The Zone
The George Plaster Show
Main Street Sports Today with Maurice Patton and Chris Yow
Full Ride Sirius XM84
Group of Five Guys
Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Revealed!
The Blue Raider Athletics Class of 2023 wrapped up its announcements last week, welcoming six new Hall of Famers: Anne Marie (Lanning) Brentz from Women's Basketball, Anthony DeLuise from Men's Tennis, LaRon Dendy from Men's Basketball, Melanie (Manley) Durham from Softball, Jeff Littlejohn from Football and Janet Ross from women's basketball!
The Hall of Famers will be inducted on September 23 ahead of MTSU's football game against Colorado State.
What's Happening in the 'Boro – presented by Ole South@MT_Soccer has two more exhibition matches before the regular season gets started, including a home match on Tuesday at 5 PM!
— Middle Tennessee Athletics (@MTAthletics) August 7, 2023
⚽️🎟 FREE #BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/0NSpwGRIIi
While technically the second event of the fall season after Sunday's Blue-White scrimmage, Blue Raider fans will now get their first chance to see Head Coach Aston Rhoden's squad in action against another opponent ahead of the official start of the regular season next Thursday against Louisiana.
Speaking of the Blue-White game, Assistant Coach Hannah Hoefs' Team White triumphed over Assistant Coach Zak Davis' Team Blue 1-0 on Sunday in a scrimmage that the soccer staff has made an event with draft days before the game and a cup going to the winning squad.
Volleyball experiences one of the best days on the Athletic Department calendar
Monday marked report day for Blue Raider Volleyball and with it one of the most exciting moments for student athletes here in Murfreesboro: Equipment Day!
Or as I often refer to it: "Nike Christmas"
All smiles for new gear! 🤩#BLUEnited | #BetterInTheBoro pic.twitter.com/oC3Gkg3Rhc
— Middle Tennessee Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) August 7, 2023
Our equipment staff, led by Larry Maples, does such a great job outfitting all of our teams here at MTSU, but there's something special about a team getting to see their uniforms, practice gear and everything else that comes with being a Division-I athlete. Head Coach Chuck Crawford talked about that moment earlier this summer on the Coaches Check-In Podcast.
"You watch an 18-year-old freshman walk into their locker room and see their locker completely decked out with their gear," Crawford said. "It's fun for them. You look at the memories they're going to have and that's one of their first team, collegiate memories. They'll have that memory with them for the rest of their life."
MTSU Volleyball starts the 2023 season on August 15 with their annual Blue-White scrimmage.
Christmas came a little early for us this year 😏#BLUEnited | #BetterInTheBoro pic.twitter.com/mUkg4Ghweb
— Middle Tennessee Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) August 7, 2023
Second Blue Raider Family Fun Night set for Friday in Smyrna!
Join MTSU Athletics at Lee Victory Park in Smyrna for a FREE night of family fun on August 11!
The Blue Raiders will have inflatables, face painting, balloon artistry and giveaways, while Kona Ice will give out free cups to the first 200 fans in attendance!
Check out the fun that was had earlier this month at Murfreesboro's Strike and Spare!
It was a great night at Strike & Spare for our 3rd Annual Family Fun Night! 🎳
— Middle Tennessee Athletics (@MTAthletics) August 4, 2023
📸 Full photo gallery: https://t.co/wchY19XThM#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/UOlFO3ZvcX
CUSA WAC Challenge Set for both men's and women's basketball
The matchups have been set for the inaugural CUSA/WAC Challenge, with the Blue Raiders and the Lady Raiders both hosting Stephen F. Austin at the Murphy Center, while the men will travel to Southern Utah and the women will travel to Grand Canyon.
Each school in the CUSA is guaranteed one home game and one away game for both basketball teams as part of the scheduling imitative, with the goal of matching up programs similarly situated in their respective conferences. MTSU's women, the reigning CUSA Champions, will face off against the reigning WAC Champion Stephen F. Austin.
Showdowns with a couple WAC opponents on the horizon...#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/YuVL8YVhiM
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) August 3, 2023
CUSA/WAC Challenge 🔜 #BLUEnited | #TrueBlue pic.twitter.com/Q1CQwArf5D
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) August 3, 2023
Men's Basketball prepares for Italy Trip
I enjoyed stopping by the Blue Raiders' practice in the Alumni Memorial Gym last week ahead of their trip to Italy in the coming days, where Jared Coleman-Jones, Elias King and Head Coach Nick McDevitt all had positive vibes about the cohesion of the 2023-24 roster before the Blue Raiders travel to Southern Europe.
Jared Coleman-Jones on the '23-24 Blue Raiders' work ethic:#BlueRaiders | @JaredJones1_ pic.twitter.com/36a2n7ORwR
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) August 4, 2023
Elias King on how the Blue Raiders have come together during their extra practices ahead of the trip to Italy:#BlueRaiders | @Eliasking15 pic.twitter.com/5LUij28Qf4
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) August 4, 2023
Coach McDevitt on the importance of the Blue Raiders' upcoming trip to Italy:#BlueRaiders | @MTCoachNick pic.twitter.com/MWGKkKWGJG
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) August 4, 2023
One comment that wasn't on these videos that stood out to me about the logistics of these overseas tours is how many little things have to be taken care of by the players and staff. Associate Head Coach Wes Long reminded the team, for instance, to call their banks to let them know they'll be in Italy and to get bank cards to help with monetary exchanges once they're there.
Join Chip Walters on WGNS Media Day at Blue Raider Football Camp
This has been in the works for a little bit, but I'm excited that MTSU Football will have a radio row from Fall Camp on Wednesday, August 9, and that I get to play a small part in it!
I'll be on with Voice of the Blue Raiders Chip Walters on WGNS (FM 101.9 | AM 1450 Murfreesboro, FM 100.5 Smyrna) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, breaking down some of the early storylines from the first week of practice at MTSU.
Weather and Schedule permitting, the following radio/broadcast programs are also expected to broadcast live from the Practice Field outside of Floyd Stadium on Wednesday.
102.5 The Game
104.5 The Zone
The George Plaster Show
Main Street Sports Today with Maurice Patton and Chris Yow
Full Ride Sirius XM84
Group of Five Guys
Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Revealed!
The Blue Raider Athletics Class of 2023 wrapped up its announcements last week, welcoming six new Hall of Famers: Anne Marie (Lanning) Brentz from Women's Basketball, Anthony DeLuise from Men's Tennis, LaRon Dendy from Men's Basketball, Melanie (Manley) Durham from Softball, Jeff Littlejohn from Football and Janet Ross from women's basketball!
The Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is set! Join us on Friday, Sept. 22 for the induction ceremony! pic.twitter.com/T8NqLTQ0Rg
— Middle Tennessee Athletics (@MTAthletics) August 6, 2023
The Hall of Famers will be inducted on September 23 ahead of MTSU's football game against Colorado State.
True Blue Testimonials - Yana Yordanova MTSU Soccer Midfielder - Presented by MMC
Thursday, September 25
Blue Raider Notebook Presented by TOA - September 22nd
Monday, September 22
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/22/25
Monday, September 22
MTSU Football vs Marshall post-game conference - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
