Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
BRAA recognizes annual award winners at Donor Celebration
8/21/2026 12:00:00 PM | General, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The MTSU Blue Raider Athletic Association celebrated another successful year of supporting Middle Tennessee State University Athletics while recognizing several outstanding members and supporters during its annual Donor Celebration on Aug. 13 at Hollingshead Aviation in Smyrna. The BRAA is extremely grateful to Hollingshead and its hospitality over the past four years for serving as hosts.
"We're so grateful for all the loyal supporters of the BRAA, and we had a great time celebrating the generosity of our membership and honoring our outstanding award recipients," said Darryl Keckler, Associate AD for Development.
The annual event brings together Blue Raider supporters to celebrate the impact of the BRAA and recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, loyalty and leadership on behalf of MTSU Athletics.
This year's honorees included Jeff Nebel, Ray Bonner, Jerry White, Stan McNabb, Randy Cornwell and John Floyd.
Doug Young Impact Award — Jeff Nebel
Named in memory of Doug Young, the Doug Young Impact Award recognizes a young philanthropist who chooses to support the BRAA early in his or her professional career and takes an active role in investing in the future of MTSU Athletics.
This year's recipient, Jeff Nebel, is a local business and community leader who serves on the BRAA Board and has partnered with several Blue Raider student-athletes through NIL agreements. A passionate supporter of MTSU Athletics, Nebel attends every home women's basketball game and regularly supports Blue Raider teams by hosting watch parties, selection shows and fundraisers at his two restaurants, The Boulevard and Two J's.
Nebel also frequently provides meals for MTSU athletic teams and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the Blue Raider community.
The award was presented by Tommy Campbell and his wife, Milbrey, representing the Young family. Campbell was a loyal Blue Raider and fraternity brother of Doug Young.
Roxie McHenry Loyalty Award — Ray Bonner
Presented in memory of longtime MTSU Athletics secretary and loyal Blue Raider Roxie McHenry, the Roxie McHenry Loyalty Award recognizes a member whose dedication and loyalty to MTSU Athletics and the BRAA exemplifies what it means to be True Blue.
This year's recipient is a Blue Raider legend who has made an extraordinary impact on MTSU Athletics both as a student-athlete and coach.
Ray Bonner was one of the first two African-American student-athletes signed to football scholarships by legendary MTSU coach Charles "Bubber" Murphy in 1969. Bonner started at cornerback for four years and established himself as one of the nation's outstanding punt returners.
Since 2013, Bonner has continued to serve MTSU as an assistant coach with the men's and women's track and field programs. Along with his wife, Gloria, Bonner has remained a loyal and generous BRAA member and a tremendous ambassador for the Blue Raiders.
Jeff Hendrix Business Person of the Year — Jerry White and Stan McNabb
The Jeff Hendrix Business Person of the Year Award honors the memory of Jeff Hendrix, a loyal donor and friend of Blue Raider Athletics. The award recognizes business leaders who exemplify commitment, generosity and True Blue support of the BRAA's mission both personally and professionally.
This year's award was presented to two longtime business leaders from the automotive industry: Jerry White of Al White Motors and Stan McNabb of Stan McNabb Automotive.
White and McNabb have generously provided courtesy vehicles to numerous MTSU Athletics coaches and staff members for many years. Both have been longtime supporters of the Blue Raiders and have continually helped promote MTSU throughout the Coffee County communities of Manchester and Tullahoma.
Liz Rhea Member of the Year — Randy Cornwell
The Liz Rhea Member of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of Dr. Liz Rhea, a philanthropist and beloved friend of MTSU and Blue Raider Athletics. The award recognizes a BRAA member who embodies Dr. Rhea's exceptional commitment, generosity and True Blue spirit.
This year's recipient, Randy Cornwell, lives in Nashville but makes every effort to attend as many MTSU home athletic events as possible while continuing to support the Blue Raiders unconditionally.
Cornwell serves on the BRAA Board and is currently president of the MTSU National Alumni Association. He is also a proud member of the Sapphire Circle and provides financial support to multiple MTSU athletic programs.
Bill and Theresa Ketron Lifetime Leadership Award — John Floyd
The Bill and Theresa Ketron Lifetime Leadership Award recognizes an individual whose longtime leadership, service and commitment have made a lasting impact on MTSU Athletics and the Blue Raider Athletic Association.
This year's recipient was John Floyd, who was presented the award by Bill Ketron. Floyd is a longtime BRAA member who was one of the early leadership donors for the Build Blue Campaign, contributing to the "Ole South Atrium" in the upcoming Murphy Center renovation. He is an avid women's basketball supporter and a current member of the MTSU Board of Trustees.
The BRAA extends its appreciation to all of this year's honorees for their continued investment in MTSU Athletics and their unwavering commitment to the Blue Raider family.
The annual Donor Celebration serves as a reminder of the important role BRAA members and supporters play in providing resources and opportunities for MTSU student-athletes while helping advance the future of Blue Raider Athletics.
"We're so grateful for all the loyal supporters of the BRAA, and we had a great time celebrating the generosity of our membership and honoring our outstanding award recipients," said Darryl Keckler, Associate AD for Development.
The annual event brings together Blue Raider supporters to celebrate the impact of the BRAA and recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, loyalty and leadership on behalf of MTSU Athletics.
This year's honorees included Jeff Nebel, Ray Bonner, Jerry White, Stan McNabb, Randy Cornwell and John Floyd.
Doug Young Impact Award — Jeff Nebel
Named in memory of Doug Young, the Doug Young Impact Award recognizes a young philanthropist who chooses to support the BRAA early in his or her professional career and takes an active role in investing in the future of MTSU Athletics.
This year's recipient, Jeff Nebel, is a local business and community leader who serves on the BRAA Board and has partnered with several Blue Raider student-athletes through NIL agreements. A passionate supporter of MTSU Athletics, Nebel attends every home women's basketball game and regularly supports Blue Raider teams by hosting watch parties, selection shows and fundraisers at his two restaurants, The Boulevard and Two J's.
Nebel also frequently provides meals for MTSU athletic teams and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the Blue Raider community.
The award was presented by Tommy Campbell and his wife, Milbrey, representing the Young family. Campbell was a loyal Blue Raider and fraternity brother of Doug Young.
Roxie McHenry Loyalty Award — Ray Bonner
Presented in memory of longtime MTSU Athletics secretary and loyal Blue Raider Roxie McHenry, the Roxie McHenry Loyalty Award recognizes a member whose dedication and loyalty to MTSU Athletics and the BRAA exemplifies what it means to be True Blue.
This year's recipient is a Blue Raider legend who has made an extraordinary impact on MTSU Athletics both as a student-athlete and coach.
Ray Bonner was one of the first two African-American student-athletes signed to football scholarships by legendary MTSU coach Charles "Bubber" Murphy in 1969. Bonner started at cornerback for four years and established himself as one of the nation's outstanding punt returners.
Since 2013, Bonner has continued to serve MTSU as an assistant coach with the men's and women's track and field programs. Along with his wife, Gloria, Bonner has remained a loyal and generous BRAA member and a tremendous ambassador for the Blue Raiders.
Jeff Hendrix Business Person of the Year — Jerry White and Stan McNabb
The Jeff Hendrix Business Person of the Year Award honors the memory of Jeff Hendrix, a loyal donor and friend of Blue Raider Athletics. The award recognizes business leaders who exemplify commitment, generosity and True Blue support of the BRAA's mission both personally and professionally.
This year's award was presented to two longtime business leaders from the automotive industry: Jerry White of Al White Motors and Stan McNabb of Stan McNabb Automotive.
White and McNabb have generously provided courtesy vehicles to numerous MTSU Athletics coaches and staff members for many years. Both have been longtime supporters of the Blue Raiders and have continually helped promote MTSU throughout the Coffee County communities of Manchester and Tullahoma.
Liz Rhea Member of the Year — Randy Cornwell
The Liz Rhea Member of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of Dr. Liz Rhea, a philanthropist and beloved friend of MTSU and Blue Raider Athletics. The award recognizes a BRAA member who embodies Dr. Rhea's exceptional commitment, generosity and True Blue spirit.
This year's recipient, Randy Cornwell, lives in Nashville but makes every effort to attend as many MTSU home athletic events as possible while continuing to support the Blue Raiders unconditionally.
Cornwell serves on the BRAA Board and is currently president of the MTSU National Alumni Association. He is also a proud member of the Sapphire Circle and provides financial support to multiple MTSU athletic programs.
Bill and Theresa Ketron Lifetime Leadership Award — John Floyd
The Bill and Theresa Ketron Lifetime Leadership Award recognizes an individual whose longtime leadership, service and commitment have made a lasting impact on MTSU Athletics and the Blue Raider Athletic Association.
This year's recipient was John Floyd, who was presented the award by Bill Ketron. Floyd is a longtime BRAA member who was one of the early leadership donors for the Build Blue Campaign, contributing to the "Ole South Atrium" in the upcoming Murphy Center renovation. He is an avid women's basketball supporter and a current member of the MTSU Board of Trustees.
The BRAA extends its appreciation to all of this year's honorees for their continued investment in MTSU Athletics and their unwavering commitment to the Blue Raider family.
The annual Donor Celebration serves as a reminder of the important role BRAA members and supporters play in providing resources and opportunities for MTSU student-athletes while helping advance the future of Blue Raider Athletics.
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