The MTSU Build Blue Campaign, a multi-million-dollar project set to transform the Blue Raider athletics department, is full steam ahead. The campaign seeks to build a hub for MTSU athletics as well as give more resources to all sports programs across the campus.
After years of talks and careful planning, the Build Blue Campaign officially began in November 2021. Today, several of the campaign’s projects have already been completed, including a brand new Golf Performance Center (located at The Grove golf course in College Grove) and upgrades to the softball stadium on campus.
Currently the most visible project in the summer of 2023, the campaign is currently working towards the completion of the new Outdoor Tennis Complex. The $7.1 million facility will provide brand new amenities to players and fans alike, such as eight tennis courts, locker rooms and grandstands for spectators. Completion for this project, near the Murphy Center at the corner of Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Greenland Drive, is currently slated for this November.
Rendering of Student Athlete Performance Center
Earlier this year MTSU broke ground on its biggest project yet, the $66 million Student Athlete Performance Center. This three-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will be on the north end zone of Floyd Stadium and will include many new facilities, not only for the football program but all student athletes. The first floor will feature amenities such as weight rooms, training rooms and a nutrition center. The Student Athlete Performance Center will serve as the new headquarters for Blue Raider Football and will house facilities like locker rooms, coaches’ offices and more.
The top floor of the building will be a club level viewing area overlooking Floyd Stadium, intended for fans and corporate sponsors. This multipurpose area will operate similarly to a high-end sports bar, with food and drink services.
Lee De León, deputy athletic director at MTSU, expects completion of the Student Athlete Performance Center in time for football season 2025.
Among the sports centers and facilities, one of the Build Blue Campaign’s other projects includes the construction of a hotel on campus. The hotel will serve fans, recruits and visiting teams and will fill the need for a hotel near campus. Currently, there are two potential locations for the hotel. One location is right beside the new Outdoor Tennis Complex and Murphy Center.
The other possible location is across the street within the southwest corner of the intersection of Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard. The process for the construction of the hotel is just now beginning, with members of the Build Blue Campaign taking bids from hotel companies interested in the project.
“I think this is really gonna elevate our athletics department,” De León said. “It will be a source of pride for not only our student athletes and coaches, but our community as well.”
De León came to MTSU in 2021 and has since been a big part of the Build Blue Campaign. He works on the fundraising side of the project by reaching out to potential individual and corporate donors. His passion for the project stems from his love of sports and competition.
“I think the Build Blue Campaign will lead to more wins, more championships, both conference and national. We’re gonna position ourselves to compete at the highest level,” he said in the weeks leading up to the 2023 football season.
Although some other planned parts of the campaign could take up to 10 years before reaching full completion, each piece should add to the Blue Raiders athletics experience.
“Our student athletes, our coaches, and our fans deserve these facilities,” De León said.
For more information on the Build Blue Campaign or to donate, visit buildbluenow.com or contact lee.deleon@mtsu.edu.
