Middle Tennessee Athletics will once again have the sound of cheering fans in the stands at indoor events as doors re-open this week to a limited number of fans, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro announced Saturday evening.

"We're very excited to have our season ticket holders back at Blue Raider sporting events," Massaro stated. "Their support means the world to all of us, but especially to our student-athletes and coaches, and we've missed their presence greatly. Quite simply, all of us have missed our fans."

The re-opening of Murphy Center for sporting events will be limited to 10 percent, and will include only season ticket holders and MTSU students. Fans are reminded that masks must be worn at all times and seating will be socially distanced.

MT's indoor sports that will now be open to limited fan attendance include men's and women's basketball inside Murphy Center, men's and women's tennis at the Adams Tennis Complex, and volleyball matches at Alumni Memorial Gymnasium.

"I'm ecstatic to have fans return to Murphy Center," Head Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell exclaimed. "Our team is number one, and our fans are number two. We have to take care of them and that's what we're going to do. We're thankful university administration is allowing fans to come back this year and see us play."

"Our university administration has always maintained that the health and safety of our student-athletes and our fans will continue to be at the forefront," Head Men's Basketball Coach Nick McDevitt added. "We are fortunate to now be in a position to welcome our True Blue supporters back to the Murphy Center! They will make a difference for us."

With four home games remaining for both men's and women's basketball, and those four games representing approximately 25 percent of their home schedules, fans will have the opportunity to receive a 75 percent refund on their 2020-21 season tickets and will receive correspondence on doing so from the Blue Raider Ticket Office.

A decision on the attendance policies for MT's outdoor spring sports - baseball, softball and soccer - will be announced at a later date.