This Week in Blue Raider Athletics

MASSARO PASSES ALONG THANKS: Athletic director Chris Massaro wants to pass along his thanks to everyone involved in the Paint the 'Boro activities on Saturday, July 23. A group of fans and alumni teamed with Middle Tennessee football players to pass out season posters to area businesses. If you see a poster hanging around town, this group is more than likely responsible. The group canvassed the county, including stops in Smyrna and LaVergne, in the day-long project, hitting as many Blue Raider supporters as possible. Many thanks from Massaro and the entire athletic department to all of those involved on a very successful endeavor.

RAIDER RELAY SET FOR VANDY GAME: The Student Government Association is putting together the traditional Raider Relay to carry a football from Floyd Stadium to Vanderbilt on Saturday, October 1, prior to the Blue Raiders and Commodores football game. The SGA is teaming up with the Alumni Association and Athletic Department, hoping to attract a cross-section of both students and alumni to carry the ball from Murfreesboro to Fannie Mae Dees Park in Nashville. An all-day event, approximately 36 runners are needed to complete the run, with each participant carrying the football one mile apiece. Students will have an opportunity to sign-up at the first two home football games, September 10 against North Texas and September 17 versus Akron, and in the SGA office the week between the two games, with a drawing to select the lucky students to run. Alumni wanting to take part in the event should contact Michelle Stepp in the Alumni Office at 615/898-2922 or mstepp@mtsu.edu.

FOREMAN NAMED ASSISTANT AT FSU: Former Middle Tennessee tennis player Oliver Foreman was named an assistant for the women's tennis program at Florida State this week. Foreman most recently worked as a volunteer assistant coach at the Ali Hamadeh Tennis Academy in Memphis in 2004. During his brief stint in Memphis, he coached four juniors to the Super Nationals Tournament and also aided in generating a prestigious junior development program with over 40 juniors. Foreman played on the ATP Tour from 2002-04, where he was the Irish National Open singles and doubles champion in 2002. Foreman twice earned All-OVC honors and was voted All-Sun Belt his final two seasons as at Middle Tennessee. As a senior the Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, native was ranked in the Top 100 in singles and in the top five in doubles. Foreman also qualified for the NCAA Tournament from 2000-02 and reached the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American Championships in 2002. Foreman graduated from Middle Tennessee in 2002, earning a bachelor's in Wellness and Exercise Science with a minor in Athletic Coaching.

RODRIGUEZ NAMED VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT: Luis Rodriguez has been named the volunteer assistant coach for the Blue Raider baseball program for the upcoming season after spending eight years at Western Kentucky as both a player and coach. Rodriguez was a four-year starter at shortstop for longtime WKU coach Joel Murrie before serving as a student assistant for one season and as the volunteer assistant for the last three years. The Puerto Rico native played in 193 contests in his four seasons, amassing 153 hits with 64 walks and 73 runs scored. Rodriguez has worked with the middle infielders and served as the team's first base coach the last three seasons. Head coach Steve Peterson also announced that Chris LeGuenec will serve as a student assistant for the 2006 campaign. LeGuenec was a four-year letterwinner for the Blue Raiders who eligibility was exhausted at the end of this past season.

VOLLEYBALL STARTS FALL CAMP: Middle Tennessee head coach Matt Peck and his volleyball squad reports to campus on Friday, August 5, to begin preparation for the 2005 season. The Blue Raiders will have initial meetings and gather for a team picture in the afternoon. The squad boasts four Murfreesboro natives on the squad, including junior Hannah Randolph, sophomore Lindsay Sisco, redshirt freshman Megan Carter and freshman Ashley Asberry. The Blue Raiders open the season at home with the Middle Tennessee Invitational on August 26-27, welcoming Alabama A&M, UTEP and Tennessee State. Middle Tennessee wraps up the opening weekend by traveling to Athens to take on Georgia on August 28. The Blue Raiders will also be hosting the Sun Belt Championships, November 17-19, at Alumni Memorial Gym, the first of three SBC Championships being contested on the Middle Tennessee campus during the 2005-06 academic year.

BASEBALL WORK SET TO BEGIN: Construction on Phase I in the renovation of Reese Smith Field is set to begin Monday, August 8. Work will include the destruction of the existing outfield wall and the installation of a new, eight-foot wall all the way around the outfield fence. A 24-foot batter's eye will also be part of the outfield wall in centerfield. Also included in the month-long project will be the installation of new lights, a much-needed upgrade for the facility. Construction should be completed by the middle of September for the Blue Raiders fall practice.

BRAA BUS TRIP TO ALABAMA: The BRAA will sponsor a bus trip to the Alabama contest, Saturday, September 3 in Tuscaloosa. The trip will depart the Greenland Drive parking lot at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and return on Sunday, September 4. The cost of the bus trip is $130 per person, which includes hotel and transportation or $180 per couple, which includes hotel and transportation. This does NOT include cost of ticket for the game. Cost of game tickets is $30. The BRAA will also sponsor a trip later in the season to Vanderbilt at a cost of $25. Tickets for the Vandy game are $20 and may be purchased at the ticket office. The Alumni Association will also be coordinating a tailgate event for all Middle Tennessee alumni and fans traveling to these away games. The BRAA will also be checking into bus trips to North Carolina State and Troy University. To make reservations for the BRAA bus trips, please call the BRAA office at 615/898-2210. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.

SPIRIT PACKS AVAILABLE: The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce is again pleased to announce their endorsement and sale of Middle Tennessee Spirit Packs for the 2005 season. These Spirit Packs are an ideal way for local businesses to support Middle Tennessee athletics and help to "Paint the Town Blue" for all Blue Raider sporting events. The Spirit Packs come in two sizes, priced at $55 and $80, and include blue and white pennant strings, blue and white pom-poms, Middle Tennessee static window clings, car-size magnet and flags. To purchase a Spirit Pack, please visit the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce or contact 615/893-6565. Spirit Packs are also available for sale at the Blue Raider Marketing office located in the Kennon Hall of Fame building on the Middle Tennessee campus. For more information please contact Jodi Greeson in Blue Raider Marketing at 615/494-8951. Spirit Packs will be available beginning June 6 while supplies last.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.