Murray State Completes Phase Two of Football Locker Room, Team Space Enhancements

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

Murray State Completes Phase Two of Football Locker Room, Team Space Enhancements

6/4/2024 6:46:00 AM | Football, General

Racers continue to prioritize student-athlete experience through much-needed modernization of facilities

After making the first significant enhancements to the football locker room and team spaces in nearly 20 years over the last few months, Murray State has completed the second phase of updates in these areas behind a continued push to bolster the student-athlete experience.

The continued investment in the modernization of these important spaces has been made possible through the private support of multiple generous investors and former football student-athletes.

"We cannot thank our football investors enough for their incredible support and for their continued belief in the plan we have set for the program that includes these significant enhancements to our football team spaces," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "A lot of planning went into the upgrades that we have just completed, and it is exciting to see how much of an impact that they will have on each of our football student-athletes and staff."

As part of the second phase, the lockers within the space have been outfitted with custom, branded and cushioned pads on the interior of the locker, providing an extra level of comfort for each student-athlete. The locker face will also feature new name plates to celebrate the individual player.

The locker room also includes the nearly 10-foot tall backlit logo that is suspended from the ceiling, a center piece that boldly displays the proud history of Murray State, and a mirrored logo in the carpet. Under the lockers, new LED lighting was installed to illuminate the entire locker room and further showcase the ceiling logo.

"The facility renovations that have taken place show the level of commitment Murray State has to compete and win in the best FCS conference in the nation in the Missouri Valley Football Conference," said Coach Jody Wright. "The continued vision of Athletic Director Nico Yantko for Racer football along with the continuous support from Racer Nation will allow us to make Murray State a premier destination for recruits."

Other branding additions include a massive fight song wall that now greets the team before they leave the locker room and a state of Kentucky logo boasting the primary Murray State mark that is displayed on the wall near the tunnel to celebrate the Commonwealth.

Additionally, the locker room will see the installation of new digital displays and has already received new paint and other cosmetic upgrades.

This marks the latest phase in a series of investments that will impact Racer Football, including the recently announced addition of the Draffen Family Performance Center and the upgrades to the program's team meeting space, coaches suite and shower facilities.

Murray State football will now begin it's 2024 season on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m. against the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri. The matchup is set to air on the SEC Network and will officially begin the Coach Jody Wright era and 100th season of Racer football. The full 2024 schedule can be found here.

Returning season ticket holders can renew their tickets now at GoRacers.com/FBRenew or by calling the Murray State Ticket Office (270) 809-3000 to purchase tickets. New season tickets for the 2024 campaign are also available for purchase at GoRacers.com/FBSeasonTix.

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