Monday, January 6, 2025

Question: What is the mascot of Middle Tennessee State University?

Answer: The Blue Raiders. The nickname dates back to 1934 when the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal hosted a contest to name Middle Tennessee State University’s athletic teams. Charles Sarver, a football player at the time, won $5 for his entry, inspired by Colgate’s “Red Raiders,” swapping red for MTSU’s blue.

Initially, the Blue Raiders had an unofficial mascot, “Ole Blue,” a cartoonish bluetick hound. On January 17, 1998, the university introduced its current mascot, “Lightning,” along with a bold new logo, debuting at a basketball game in Murphy Center.