Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MTSU to celebrate ribbon cutting of historic $66M Smith Athletic Performance Center on July 30
6/23/2025 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CT to officially open the new Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center.
The event will take place in the area between the Rose and Emmett Kennon Hall of Fame building and the new Smith Athletic Performance Center (SAPC), located in the north endzone of Floyd Stadium.
The three-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will serve as the new home for Blue Raider Football while also providing premier training, nutrition, and sports medicine amenities for all MTSU student-athletes. It is the centerpiece of Phase I of the Build Blue Campaign, a $25 million private fundraising initiative to transform the athletic facilities at MTSU.
"This facility represents our unwavering commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics," said MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee. "It is an investment not only in our student-athletes' performance but also in their health, well-being, and future success both on and off the field."
"The Smith Athletic Performance Center is the culmination of years of vision and support from our community," added Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "It provides our teams with the resources to train, recover, and compete at the highest level. I would like to thank the many people involved in such a big project."
In addition to housing football operations—including locker rooms, meeting spaces, and offices previously located in Murphy Center—the facility also includes:
"This building is a bold symbol of our momentum," Massaro said. "It honors our past, serves our present, and positions us for a stronger future."
Fundraising for the Build Blue Campaign is ongoing, with the focus now on Phase II – the renovation of the historic Murphy Center. To learn more or to contribute to this campaign, visit MTSUBRAA.com/build-blue.
The ribbon cutting ceremony on July 30 is a free event that is open to the public. The new SAPC will be available afterwards for viewing.
The event will take place in the area between the Rose and Emmett Kennon Hall of Fame building and the new Smith Athletic Performance Center (SAPC), located in the north endzone of Floyd Stadium.
The three-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will serve as the new home for Blue Raider Football while also providing premier training, nutrition, and sports medicine amenities for all MTSU student-athletes. It is the centerpiece of Phase I of the Build Blue Campaign, a $25 million private fundraising initiative to transform the athletic facilities at MTSU.
"This facility represents our unwavering commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics," said MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee. "It is an investment not only in our student-athletes' performance but also in their health, well-being, and future success both on and off the field."
"The Smith Athletic Performance Center is the culmination of years of vision and support from our community," added Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "It provides our teams with the resources to train, recover, and compete at the highest level. I would like to thank the many people involved in such a big project."
In addition to housing football operations—including locker rooms, meeting spaces, and offices previously located in Murphy Center—the facility also includes:
- A state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center open to all student athletes, named in honor of Blue Raider great and NFL Pro Bowler Kevin Byard
- A comprehensive sports medicine and rehabilitation center, open to all student athletes
- A dedicated nutrition station to fuel peak performance, open to all student athletes
- A striking main lobby named after longtime supporters Tommy and Judy Smith
- The third floor club level, named the SRM Concrete Club, featuring premium amenities and views on game day or for special events
"This building is a bold symbol of our momentum," Massaro said. "It honors our past, serves our present, and positions us for a stronger future."
Fundraising for the Build Blue Campaign is ongoing, with the focus now on Phase II – the renovation of the historic Murphy Center. To learn more or to contribute to this campaign, visit MTSUBRAA.com/build-blue.
The ribbon cutting ceremony on July 30 is a free event that is open to the public. The new SAPC will be available afterwards for viewing.
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