Murphy Memories

MTSU celebrates arena’s 50th anniversary with throwback game

Fifty years before, the 1972–73 Blue Raider basketball team entered from the underground tunnel from Alumni Memorial Gym for its game to christen Murphy Center, having never even practiced with goals in place in the sparkling new 11,500-seat arena.

“When we came to the tunnel, we really didn't know what to expect—actually like going into an opposing gym, until you got out there and saw the crowd,” said Chester Brown, the team’s senior center.

On this night, in December 2022, these alumni returned to celebrate the half-century of competitions, concerts, and ceremonies that made the “Glass House” a landmark location—not only for MTSU but the whole middle Tennessee region. Four of the five starters accompanied current Blue Raiders during introductions, and the team met at midcourt during halftime with some members of the opposing Vanderbilt team they played on Dec. 11, 1972.

“That was a thrill coming back up that ramp and walking into the arena—almost like that night. It gave you chills,” Jim Drew recalled from his senior season in 1972. “As the fans saw us come to the gate to enter the arena, I thought the top was going to come off the place. . . . The windows almost broke from the roar that night. It was the thrill of a lifetime for all of us.

At the 50th anniversary celebration, the current MTSU team donned throwback uniforms and warmups, while replica rally towels and commemorative buttons, tickets, and programs were given to fans. Music throughout the night focused on star acts that performed in Murphy Center, the a go-to place for concerts in the Nashville area before Bridgestone Arena was built.

“I was just impressed with the vision that the college had of it,” said Mason Bonner, a junior guard 50 years ago.

When I was recruited, the first thing that they shared was that we have a vision of a coliseum, and it’s going to be a nice facility for you guys to end your career.

With all new automatic tinting windows already installed Blue last year, Murphy Center will undergo a transformation as Phase II of MTSU Athletics’ three-phase, $100 million facility upgrade plan and Build Blue fundraising campaign.

“I can’t put it into words,” said Jimmy Powell, whose 19 points led the Blue Raiders’ Murphy Center debut. “It’s just an emotional rush to actually come back 50 years later and see the place standing just as strong as ever.”