As publisher of BlueRaiderZone.com I wanted to take a rare opportunity to publish some thoughts.
We are approaching our one year anniversary since joining the Scout network. In this season of Thanksgiving I can't help but to reflect on the past year from the perspective of a Blue Raider fan.
As Blue Raider fans we have so much to be thankful for over the past year. It was just a year ago that many of us were starting to make plans to attend the Motor City Bowl. What a wonderful time we had!! I think we all got a taste of what participating in a bowl game is all about and we are yearning to make it happen again. The 2006 season ended a magical ride as Rick Stockstill completed his inaugural season as Middle Tennessee's head coach.
This brought on the basketball season. Coach Rick Insell and his Lady Raiders gave us something to cheer for during the winter months. Who would have seen a 30-4 record coming? Players like Chrissy Givens, Krystle Horton, and Amber Holt gave Blue Raiders some great memories.
Coach Kermit Davis' squad won their first two games of the Sun Belt tournament and came within 7 points of defeating the eventual Sun Belt Champion.
Coach Matt Peck and his volleyball squad just wrapped up another Sun Belt Championship. Let's not forget Dec. 1 when these ladies upset Louisville in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
I am also thankful for Coach Steve Peterson. He has worked so hard and been so successful at Middle Tennessee. I am very thankful that he is getting his new stadium.
Thank you Chris Massaro. The Blue Tube has really added to the basketball and football experience. Also, the upcoming home football games against Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Memphis, and others are something to which we all are anticipating. If the atmosphere is anywhere close to that of the Virginia game, it is going to be awesome!
There are many other things for which I am thankful....
I'm glad we have two capable quarterbacks.
Each and every Blue Raider athlete. On and off the field they have made all Blue Raider fans proud.
The Band of Blue...there is not another band in the country who comes close to comparing to these guys. I still get chills every time I hear the Tennessee Waltz.
The Blue Raider Athletic Association employees. You are the ones who ensure that we have the financial means to provide scholarships for our athletes.
Sidney McPhee. I am glad we have a president who understands that the athletic department is the window to which the world is introduce to Middle Tennessee State.
We are very lucky at Middle Tennessee to have so many successful athletic programs. Lest we forget about our golf, soccer, and track teams. All three of these are very competitive and are coached by good, quality individuals.
Sometimes it's easy to focus on what we have not accomplished or what games we did not win. I think sometimes it's good to focus on what we have accomplished and to be thankful for a great year.
Lastly, I would like to focus on the BlueRaiderZone. I would like to thank each and every individual member of BlueRaiderZone.com. When we started this site we had you in mind. We were looking for a place where Blue Raider fans could come together and express their joys, concerns, enthusiasm, and heartbreaks as a Blue Raider fan. I must say that you have really taken this site to heart. You are the ones who make this site the best place to discuss Middle Tennessee athletics. Thank you!!
I also want to take the time to thanks those who have helped run this site over the past year. Wesley Mize, Jay Brantley, and Tyler Jamison who have contributed to the front page content on a regular basis. Also, thanks to the people who have contributed in a more sparringly role, Lib McClanahan, Ryan Ritz, Brandon Cox, Dusty Gray, John Hyland, Aaron Casey, Bobby O'Shea, Cyle Baker, and Brandon Ross. All of you have provided valuable information to the Blue Raider faithful.
Thanks also goes to the guys who help moderate the message board and they keep discussion going, MBCRaider, KAjunRaider, Jfh2c, and MToWho. You guys do a lot of unheralded work behind the scenes.
It has been a wonderful year and I truly believe next year is going to be even better. I want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Always remember to be thankful for being a Blue Raider, after all, you could have been born in Bowling Green.