[122a] MTSU students, alumni await Sept. 28-Oct. 3 homecoming events

MURFREESBORO — MTSU students and alumni are preparing for a New Orleans-style homecoming.

While the Blue Raiders football focus will be on Illinois Saturday, Sept. 26, and then on visiting Vanderbilt for the 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Homecoming Game, students and alumni have a feel of the Big Easy and Crescent City — Mardi Gras beads and masks and the party atmosphere of Bourbon Street — on their minds.

For decades, MTSU students, alumni and friends of the university have a longstanding tradition of homecoming events leading up to the big game. Campuswide, homecoming becomes a unifying way of having food, fun and fellowship around the game and events leading to the game.

“Homecoming is a celebration of what MT means to its students, alumni and community,” Alumni Relations assistant director Rhonda King said. “It’s important to reflect and appreciate our past, while reveling in the present. Homecoming gives everyone a chance to enjoy themselves as part of the Blue Raider family and get their True Blue on.”

“Big Blue Easy” is the theme for Homecoming 2015. Most student activities will begin Monday, Sept. 28, and continue throughout the week. Visit http://www.mtsu.edu/sga/homecoming-events.php for the complete list.

For the alumni schedule and details about the change to the parade route, visit www.mtalumni.com/ and click on the featured items related to homecoming.

For MTSU senior Amanda Pierce of Murfreesboro, the Student Government Association homecoming director, she “literally get the chills when I think about homecoming. It’s my favorite time of year and I am blessed to have this chance to share my love and passion to the MTSU community.”

“I am extremely excited about all the new events that SGA is hosting this year,” she added. “We are excited to kick off the week at Floyd Stadium (with the Chili Cook-off). Not only are the events new on the football field, we are also hosting all new competitions, campus rec is offering multiple new events (bubble balls, water wars and a ‘Canstruction’ event (using up to 100 cans to build a structure representing a homecoming theme) that gives back to the local community.

“After three days of excitement and competition, the MTSU student body as a whole will have the opportunity to take part in the first big-name concert being brought to campus that is completely free.”

Swedish duo Icona Pop will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Murphy Center.

Distinguished Alumni will be recognized at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in the Sam Ingram Building’s MT Center. Golden Raiders features the Class of 1965.

The Alumni Association will provide the start to Homecoming Day with its Mixer on Main Party at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3. All are invited to watch the parade on the president’s lawn.

Other student, alumni and departmental activities — plus tailgating — will lead up to the game.

To find parking and event and building locations, a printable campus map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking2015-16.