MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennessee State University has once again claimed victory in the annual “Bleed Blue to Beat WKU” blood drive, keeping the challenge trophy in Murfreesboro. The friendly competition, held each fall ahead of the football rivalry between MTSU’s Blue Raiders and Western Kentucky’s Hilltoppers, is about more than bragging rights—it’s about saving lives.

This year’s three-day drive, held Oct. 27–29, 2025 inside the Campus Recreation gymnasium, brought in 301 units of blood from MTSU donors. That’s nearly 100 more than WKU’s 211 units. Even more encouraging news is that more than 150 of those donations came from first-time donors, a sign that the tradition continues to inspire new participants.

Gene Baker, senior account manager of Donor Services for the American Red Cross of Tennessee, emphasized the impact of the event. “Because this is a competition between MTSU and WKU, we have the ability to collect hundreds of units of blood, potentially saving over 1,500 lives. This is a very important blood drive because we can cover a lot of hospital commitments in one large event.”

For MTSU, this marks the 10th win since the competition began in 2010. Josh Stone, director of Campus Recreation and a member of the blood drive committee, praised the turnout. “It is amazing how many of our students, faculty, and staff show up to participate, and it also speaks volumes to the true giving spirit of the MTSU community,” he said. “The icing on the cake is that we get to take home a trophy that represents this.”

But organizers stress that the real victory is shared. “Everyone’s a winner with this blood drive,” Baker added, noting that both universities contribute to a cause that reaches far beyond campus. He also reminded the community that MTSU hosts nearly 20 smaller blood drives throughout the year, offering plenty of opportunities to give.

For those who missed the rivalry event, the American Red Cross continues to welcome donations year-round. Information on how to contribute can be found at redcross.org or phone 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment to give blood at a time that fits your schedule.