This Week in Blue Raider Athletics

FREE CLINICS OFFERED BY TENNIS TEAMS: The Middle Tennessee tennis teams will offer a pair of free clinics this fall at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center, beginning Wednesday, September 14.

The free clinic will begin at 7 p.m. and last 90 minutes, with head women's coach Alison Ojeda and head men's coach Dale Short coordinating the event. All age groups are invited to what Ojeda hopes is just the beginning in getting to know the Murfreesboro community and surrounding areas.

"I'm new here and so are most of our women's players, so we want to get acquainted with the community," Ojeda said. "This is an opportunity for tennis fans in the area to get a free lesson and also get to know all of the men's and women's players and the coaching staffs."

The clinic on September 14 precedes the men's fall invitational set for September 16-18, while the second clinic is set for Wednesday, October 5, at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center, and precedes the women's fall invitational on October 7-9.

Also, tennis fans don't forget the 19th Annual Wally Tidwell Pro-Am Classic on September 9-10. There will be men's and women's divisions with a doubles round robin format. All amateurs will be teamed with a current or former Middle Tennessee tennis team member or an area teaching pro.

A dinner party, tennis clinic and exhibition featuring current and former tennis greats will be held Friday, September 9. The doubles round robins will take place followed by a lunch and award ceremony on Saturday, September 10.

The event is the only fundraiser for the Middle Tennessee tennis program during the academic year. Anyone interested in participating as a player or sponsor should contact Director of Tennis Dale Short at 615/898-2957.

Those who cannot participate may still donate. A minimum donation of $100 to the tennis program receives an official Middle Tennessee Tennis Hat and t-shirt along with BRAA membership credit. Please make checks payable to Middle Tennessee Tennis. Please mail donations to: MTSU Attn. Coach Short, Box 465, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

ALUMNI TAILGATE AT ALABAMA: The Middle Tennessee Alumni Association is hosting a tailgating party in Tuscaloosa prior to the Alabama contest on Saturday, September 3. Activities begin at 3 p.m. in the Friedman Hall lot under the tent on Thomas Circle on the Alabama campus. The location is near the corner of University Blvd. and Campus Drive in Tuscaloosa. Blue Raider cheerleaders, Lightning and the Band of Blue will all make their way to the tailgate before heading to the game at 6 p.m. Fans will also be able to register for giveaways and prizes during the pre-game party. Johnny Ray's BBQ will be served at $5 per person, and reservations MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE to reserve food. The menu will include pulled pork, BBQ chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and a beverage. Reservations may be made at www.mtsu.edu/~alumni/bama_rsvp.htm, with complete driving directions coming soon to the link. Fans may also call the Alumni Office at 615/898-2922 or check www.mtalumi.com for more information or to make a reservation.

BLUE RAIDER BLAST: The final Blue Raider Blast will be held in Downtown Murfreesboro on the square, Thursday, August 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This event is geared toward Blue Raider fans, alumni, and supporters in Rutherford County and surrounding areas and all interested parties are encouraged to attend and meet Middle Tennessee players, coaches, athletic administrators and University administrators as the athletic department gears up for the start of the 2005-06 school year. Admission to the "Blue Raider Blast" is free; however, food provided by Whitt's Barbecue will be available for $5 per plate. The blast will include music, inflatables, face painting and a special guest appearance by Middle Tennessee mascot, Lightning, to entertain the youngsters. Sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Alumni Office, the Blue Raider Athletic Association and the Middle Tennessee Athletic Department, the Blue Raider Blasts are designed to give fans an opportunity to meet with student-athletes, coaches and administrators and to officially start getting geared toward the beginning of all sports. Middle Tennessee also will be hosting the Sun Belt Conference men's and women's basketball tournament, the conference volleyball tournament and the men's and women's indoor track and field championships in 2005-06. For more information, contact the Alumni Office at 615/898-2922.

FAN/MEDIA DAY: Middle Tennessee's annual Fan/Media Day is scheduled for August 20 at Noon in Floyd Stadium. There will be free hot dogs and cokes given away while supplies last, games for the kids, and various drawings. Also, tickets will be on sale as well as this year's football media guide. As always, fans can get player autographs and photos so make plans now to check out this year's team as they prepare for the season-opener on Sept. 3.

FENTON PAYNE AND FRED 5K: On Saturday morning, Aug. 20, the second annual Fenton Payne and Fred 5K Run/Walk to take place on the campus of Middle Tennessee. The event will get underway at 7:30 AM with registration at Peck Hall. The cost is $25 with cash prizes going to the winning male and female and the overall masters (40 years and over). There will also be awards to the top three finishers in all divisions, male and female, 9 and under, then 5 year age groups through 80 and over. For more information, contact Mark Hardison at 615/848-9063.

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.

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.

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