Midstate community invited to series
of Labor Day weekend events
MURFREESBORO,
Tenn. — The Midstate community is invited to welcome back Middle Tennessee
State University students Sept. 2-4 during #TrueBlue Weekend, a series of
family friendly events over the Labor Day break that includes great music, the
kickoff of Blue Raider football and some good old fashion fellowship.
“As a
community, this weekend is about more than just a football game or series of
community events,” said the Rev. James McCarroll, pastor of First Baptist Church
on East Castle Street and chair of MTSU’s Community Engagement Council.
“It is
an opportunity for us, as a community, to prove the vast life-giving potential
that we have when we decide to come together. By showing community-wide
support, we remind one another that it is our togetherness, not our division,
that really positions us to do those great things that make a significant
difference in the lives of those that exist alongside us. I challenge the
entire community to participate.”
Friday Night Live
Things
kick off with the free Friday Night Live Concert on Friday, Sept. 2, from 6:30
to 9:30 p.m. on the Square in Murfreesboro’s historic downtown. This edition of
the annual summer concert series, presented by Main Street Murfreesboro,
features music from The O’Donnells.
“I think
people absolutely love the concert series because it offers a very real sense
of community,” said Kathleen Herzog, executive director of Main Street
Murfreesboro. “What a fun and fantastic way to make the town-and-gown
connection on True Blue Weekend!”
Herzog
noted that her organization’s collaboration with the university goes back
decades, with Main Street partnering with MTSU’s Center for Historic
Preservation since 2006 in its location at the Heritage Center on College
Street.
For
Friday Night Live, many local shops and restaurants will be open to serve the
crowd and a few food vendors will also be on hand for the concert-goers’
convenience, she added.
Ready for MTSU football
#TrueBlue
Weekend fun continues the next day when head coach Rick Stockstill and the Blue
Raider football team carry high expectations into the 2016 campaign by taking
on the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at
Floyd Stadium.
During
the game, MTSU will be recognizing local public servants by naming them as
honorary team captains. Honorees will include all of the county and municipal
mayors from Rutherford and Bedford counties as well as the leaders of local law
enforcement and fire and rescue departments.
Also, combined
music ministries from the First Baptist churches on East Castle and Main Street
will sing the national anthem before the game.
“This
weekend is a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the
tremendous community support for our athletic programs while also saying thank
you to some of our dedicated public servants,” said Chris Massaro, director of
MT Athletics. “We’re looking forward to seeing our loyal Blue Raider fans and a
host of new ones pack Floyd Stadium to cheer on our team.”
A
special $8 group ticket rate for the game is available by calling 615-898-5198
or email trevor.selby@mtsu.edu.
#TrueBlue Sunday
The
weekend wraps up with #TrueBlue Sunday during which area churches are being
asked to recognize their MTSU students during their services. Some local
churches, such as First Presbyterian Church, already have deep ties to the
university through alumni, donors, employees and youth ministries.
First
Presbyterian member and Murfreesboro City Councilman Bill Shacklett, an MTSU
alumnus, said his church will be holding a “Raider Rally” breakfast that Sunday
in support of the Presbyterian Student Fellowship ministry that has served MTSU
students for years.
“I
really hope True Blue Weekend becomes an annual tradition,” Shacklett said.
“It’s a time to recognize and appreciate the tremendous impact and continued
blessing MTSU has been to our community.”
“MTSU’s
impact on this community is immeasurable,” added fellow City Councilman and
alumnus Ron Washington. “Our city’s growth and increasing quality of life are
directly connected to not only the university’s presence, but its willingness
to be so actively involved in practically every aspect of our community.”
Gloria
Bonner, assistant to the president in the Office of Community Engagement and
Support and key organizer of the weekend’s activities, urges local residents to
heed the call.
“Bring
your family and your friends. Let us remind the rest of the
nation that Murfreesboro is not just another city,” Bonner said. “It's OUR
TOWN. And MTSU is not just a college team in the city, it's OUR
TEAM.”
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