MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two Middle Tennessee State University seniors stepped into leadership roles as volunteers for the annual Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and banquet held Saturday, July 19, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. Emily Chubb, a Tourism and Hospitality Management program major and Genesis Sanchez Maldonado, a Business Management major, represented MTSU as part of a cohort of college students from across the state who were chosen to help with the event that inducted 20 hall of famers for the Class of 2025.

“There were many incredible athletes being inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame,” said Chubb, of Smyrna, Tennessee. “It was an amazing, memorable, and rewarding evening. Being part of such a prestigious event and supporting these incredible athletes as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame was truly an honor.”

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of sports in the state.

Each volunteer was assigned an inductee to assist throughout the evening’s events.

Chubb was partnered with collegiate basketball player Bob Brown. Maldonado was assigned to collegiate quarterback Andy Kelly.

Maldonado said it was a unique experience she will never forget and helped with her self-confidence as an international student.

“It’s something I usually don't do, so I decided to volunteer to make something unusual of my routine,” said Maldonado, a native of La Ceiba, Honduras. “I got to meet great people as the other volunteers and to see life from another perspective. And it was a way to challenge myself to do new and different things.”

Later that evening, the students assisted the inductees with a red carpet event where media outlets were invited, followed by the banquet and induction ceremony.

“Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of Reed Blankenship as the Professional Athlete of the Year. It was especially exciting to see a former MTSU athlete receive such an honor, knowing that he once walked the same campus halls,” Chubb said.

Blankenship was a five-year, standout starter for the Blue Raiders football team. Though undrafted, he now is the starting safety for the Philadelphia Eagles and was part of team’s Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year. Although Blankenship was unable to attend the ceremony, the award was accepted on his behalf by MTSU Athletics Director Chris Massaro.