MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) – Middle Tennessee State University will officially open the doors to the new Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. 

The event will be held between the Rose and Emmett Kennon Hall of Fame building and the newly constructed facility, located in the north end zone of Floyd Stadium.

Spanning three stories and 85,000 square feet, the Smith Athletic Performance Center (SAPC) is the new headquarters for Blue Raider Football and a key hub for all MTSU student-athletes. It features state-of-the-art training, nutrition, and sports medicine facilities, and serves as the cornerstone of Phase I of the university’s $25 million “Build Blue” fundraising campaign aimed at upgrading athletic infrastructure.

The SAPC consolidates football operations—previously spread across the Murphy Center—into one location, including locker rooms, meeting rooms, and staff offices. Beyond football, the facility supports all student-athletes with a variety of high-performance amenities, including:

• A cutting-edge strength and conditioning center named in honor of MTSU alumnus and NFL Pro Bowler Kevin Byard

  

• A full-service sports medicine and rehabilitation center

• A dedicated nutrition station to support athletic performance

• A welcoming main lobby named for longtime donors Tommy and Judy Smith

• The third-floor SRM Concrete Club, offering premium seating and event space with prime stadium views

The Smith Center marks a major milestone in MTSU’s ongoing athletic expansion and modernization efforts. With Phase I complete, attention now shifts to Phase II: the planned renovation of the historic Murphy Center.

The July 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new facility following the event.

For more information or to contribute to the Build Blue Campaign, visit MTSUBRAA.com/build-blue. 

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