Operation "Full House" Leader Dies

After a three year battle with a brain tumor, Aaron Todd passes away.

Murfreesboro- MTSU professor Aaron Todd succumbed to his long battle with a brain tumor on Thursday. The brain tumor was the cause of his death, but it may have been the reason that spurned him to one of his greatest accomplishments, Operation "Full House".

Todd was a highly respected professor at Middle Tennessee. He co-authored one of the most widely used physical science textbooks in the country and he was very big supporter of the Blue Raider athletic programs. It was after his diagonis of a brain tumor that he gained his biggest notoriety. According to Todd, he made a list of five things that he wanted to accomplish. One of those was to see MTSU return to the glory days. He wanted people to support the athletic programs as they had supported them in days gone by. Thus, Operation "Full House" was born.

Dr. Aaron Todd hit the airwaves. He spoke in business meetings and at civic clubs. No matter who he saw, where he saw them, or what they were doing, Dr. Todd invited them to the Feb. 26, 2004 basketball game against Western Kentucky. Dr. Todd had a goal to break the MTSU single game attendance record and he became an one man marketing machine.

Feb. 26, 2004 was a magical night. The Middle Tennessee community responded to Dr. Todd's pleas and they showed up in droves. There was absolutely no more room in the student section as the student showed up to pay tribute to a very well-respected and well-liked professor. The Blue Raiders set a new Murphy Center attendance record at 11,807. The Blue Raider basketball team also responded by beating their long-time rival Western Kentucky 73-59. Operation "Full House" was a success.


Dr. Todd is a man that taught us how to fight. He fought his brain tumor very valiantly. Though doctors told him he may not live to see the start of the 2005 basketball season, Dr. Todd fought on. He battled and battled and he lived to see the end of the 2007 season.

Dr. Todd taught us how to live. He lived each day as though it may be his last, because in reality he didn't know if it would be...but neither do we. Dr. Todd taught us what a difference one motivated man can make on his community.

Dr. Todd has been an inspiration to this community and his spirit will live way past the time that his body left this world. Rest in peace Dr. Todd, you will be missed.