#MyMTStory

What is your favorite Murphy Center memory?

Murphy Center, MTSU’s multipurpose arena with magical memories of graduations and games, in its heyday also hosted such heart-stopping acts as Olivia Newton-John’s Let Get Physical concert.

Olivia Newton-John's Lets Get Physical tour

Photo by Jack Ross

From an opening game with Vanderbilt and the first show with Bob Hope to Elvis live five times. U2’s Joshua Tree and Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA tours. Wrestling and the circus.

Volunteer Jam II, Johnny and Waylon, Willie, Hank Jr., Dolly, Garth, and The Judds’ Farewell. Stevie, Tina, Whitney, Hammer, and Luther. The Who, New Kids on the Block, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, and Boyz II Men.

We asked MTSU alumni to tell us about special times they shared at the Glass House the past half-century—concerts, commencement, games, or other events.

Marion Southall-White (’88)

Working all the concerts at Murphy Center while I was a student, and I got a chance to meet & take pics with Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie’s All Night Long Dancers in 1983/84.RIP Shabba Doo. Secondly, watching my Roommate HOF Lady Raider Tawanya Mucker Wilson play Basketball. Thirdly, graduating in August 1988. #iamtrueblue

Lisa McGrath (’82)

Getting my degree/diploma is a given! But there was also presiding over TO’s All-Sing and 3rd row center tickets for The Eagles-The Long Run (camped out overnight for those babies)!

Rob Boudreau (’94)

I was almost kicked out of a women’s basketball game. The Tech coach went down on one knee while watching the game and I yelled “Praying won’t help, coach. God hates Tech, too!”

Steven Fulks (’94)

MTSU victory over Austin Peay in the mid ’70s – and the concerts! Crosby Stills and Nash, Mountain, The Who, Elton John - such an incredible four years there! And my graduation with Senator Sasser speaking and Johnny Cash attending.

Eric Wimsatt (’96)

Win over Vandy ’95 and camping out for Pearl Jam concert ’94

Regina Petty (’07)

Playing in back-to-back State Tournaments in high school. Growing up going to individual and team balls camps every summer. Taking college PE courses, and eventually walking the stage at Murphy Center when I graduated. Murphy Center has been a part of my life for 40 years. Garth Brooks, The Judds’ Farewell concert, etc.

Shannon Burnette Brown (’02)

Journey – first concert ever! A friend of my dad snuck in a camera!

Claudia Spivey House (’89, ’95)

Sleeping outside waiting for Billy Joel tickets to go on sale in the ’80s

Russ Fulbright (’91)

Old school registration where we had to run around and collect computer punch cards to get the classes we wanted.

Ashlee Hover (’02, ’06, ’09)

It’s where I met my husband AND where we got engaged!

Tammy Duffy (’81, ’97)

Elvis 3 nights in a row

Ashley Johnson (’12, ’19)

My graduations in 2012 and 2019...then in 2021, when my daughter was on the floor with the newest freshman class!

Shirley Farris Jones

I was there when we played our first game in Dec. 1972 against Vanderbilt in our brand-new glass house. So very many thrilling games over the years! But, the year we were down 10 points with a minute to go and came back to defeat Austin Peay in 1975?? was certainly one of the most memorable. And, on April 27, 1975 I touched ELVIS in Murphy Center!!!!!

Nick Shelton (’04)

I rode my skateboard down the big ramp and survived I’d only been a skateboarder a few months I also worked the Spin Doctors show at the MC

Marcia Kelley Stephens (’95)

Elvis and when my boyfriend (husband now for 45 years) rode his bike down the concrete side of the steps. The last thing did not end as planned.

Murphy Center has hosted collegiate indoor track meets.

Chuck M. Treadway (’83)

One day there was an indoor track meet and I decided to go check it out. I walked inside a door at track level and hadn`t been standing there 20 seconds when Herschel Walker came speeding by within 3 feet of me in the outside lane. Can`t even imagine trying to tackle that guy on a football field.

Barbara McGee Standifur

My Freshman Year I saw U2 November 1987!!! The Joshua Tree Tour

Shelia Bedwell (’75)

Chicago — 1973 homecoming

David Huff (’76)

Linda Ronstadt in 1976 came out on the stage and said Hello Vanderbilt lol. Got some boos.

Don King

Paying general admission for Nine Inch Nails then jumping over the railing to get to the mosh pit on the floor.

Ric Chambers (’72)

I was at the Grand Opening, with Bob Hope.

Willie Nelson

Bill Neal (’75)

MTSU men’s basketball beating UT and Georgia in back to back games. Seeing Magic Johnson play in the NCAA tournament.

Gregg Payne (’90)

Camping out there in the late ’80s for U2 tickets on the coldest night in years!

John Atkinson (’94)

I have three from the early 90s.

1. Flashing Garth Brooks a peace sign and having him reciprocate.

2. Being a seat filler for The Judds final concert. It was filmed.

3. Being on stage in drag for a fraternity All Sing competition. Though I've really tried to forget this one

Debbie Roth (’80)

I saw Bruce Springsteen there and graduated in that very same place in 1980.

Ashley Carson Jones (’96)

The Judds last concert!

Keath Brown

As much as I love the Murphy Center, I hate those steps… Didn’t matter if I was walking up the hill or down the hill, I would fall EVERY TIME.