by Chip Walters, Voice of the Blue Raiders

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - As 2025 comes to a close, Middle Tennessee State University Athletics can look back on a year defined by championship success, major facility investments, academic excellence, and significant transition across several programs.

The year opened with familiar expectations, and several Blue Raider teams delivered. Women’s basketball once again set the standard within Conference USA, capturing another league championship and reinforcing its reputation as one of the conference’s premier programs. Men’s tennis continued its remarkable dominance, claiming a sixth consecutive Conference USA championship — a streak unmatched by any program in league history.

Overall, six MTSU teams reached postseason play in 2025, including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country. Six individual student-athletes also advanced to NCAA postseason competition, highlighting the department’s depth and consistency across sports.

Men’s basketball provided some of the year’s most memorable moments, including an unforgettable triple-overtime thriller against Chattanooga in the National Invitation Tournament. On the court, Kamari Lance delivered a career performance in a one-point victory over Kennesaw State, while the Blue Raider women closed the year with a gritty 46–45 road win at Wichita State. The women also earned a signature nonconference victory over Memphis inside Murphy Center, one of the program’s standout wins of the season.

Women’s basketball navigated injuries and a challenging SEC-heavy schedule but continued to show resilience, punctuated by late-season success and a breakout year from freshman Macy Pfeiffer, who earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors.

Away from competition, 2025 marked one of the most significant facility expansions in MTSU Athletics history. The Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center officially opened on July 30. The $66 million, 85,000-square-foot complex immediately became the centerpiece of the Bill Blue Campaign, providing state-of-the-art resources for Blue Raider student-athletes. Floyd Stadium also received a new, modern turf system in June, further upgrading the football program’s infrastructure.

Football, however, experienced a challenging and turbulent season. Head coach Derek Mason’s first full year included growing pains, late-season staff changes, and a difficult loss to FIU that raised questions about the program’s direction. In response, Mason reshaped the offensive staff, hiring Anthony Scelfo as offensive coordinator and Christopher Brown to lead the offensive line, as the Blue Raiders look toward a reset heading into 2026.

Track and field and cross country continued their tradition of excellence, with multiple athletes earning weekly Conference USA honors and strong performances at early-season meets.

Academically, MTSU Athletics reached new heights. The department posted a 94 percent graduation success rate, the highest in Conference USA, with seven programs recording a perfect 100 percent score. Football’s 92 percent graduation success rate ranked first in the conference and tied for 15th nationally, serving as a major point of pride during a challenging on-field year.

Financially, the Bill Blue Campaign continued to exceed expectations, reaching $22.7 million raised toward its revised $25 million goal. The momentum in fundraising, facilities, and competitive achievement underscores a department investing heavily in its future.

As the calendar turns, MTSU Athletics closes 2025 having laid a strong foundation. Through championships, modernization, and academic success, the year stands as one of transition and investment — setting the stage for the next era of Blue Raider athletics in 2026.