Murray State University Athletics
From The Stables - Notes From the Desk of Director of Athletics Nico Yantko
9/6/2024 9:49:00 AM | General
Racer Nation,
There is nothing like summer time in Murray, Kentucky, and I hope that you were able to get out and enjoy the many activities that our community has to offer. Marnie, the kids, and I were fortunate enough to get out to the lake and enjoy some beautiful days on the water!
With our first home football game and the kickoff of our 100th season of football and the Jody Wright era just a few days away, I wanted to recap some of our incredible accomplishments from the last year and fill you in on some of the things that you have to look forward to over the next 365 days.
DILL FAMILY GIFT
On Tuesday, August 20, we announced that Murray State Athletics received a seven-figure commitment, THE LARGEST GIFT IN SCHOOL HISTORY, from the Dill Family.
The record-shattering investment made by the family, which also stands as the lead gift in the University's Be Bold: Forever Blue & Gold Centennial Campaign, marks a record sixth seven-figure gift given to Racer Athletics this calendar year.
🤝 Murray State Athletics receives the 𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗜𝗙𝗧 in 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 from the Dill Family!
— Murray State Racers Athletics (@MSURacers) August 20, 2024
We cannot thank the Dill Family enough for their incredibly generous support!
🔗: https://t.co/FKuTVSCwao#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/lIcmLcn2fc
We are beyond grateful for the Dill Family and their unwavering support of Racer Athletics!
HOOPALOOZA/JA MORANT HALL OF FAME
On Saturday, July 27, we welcomed home Ja Morant for his induction into the Murray State Hall of Fame as part of our annual Hoopalooza celebration. It was an incredible evening with more than 700 people and numerous former players from across all eras of Racer basketball in attendance.💙💛 A Racer forever.
— Murray State MBB (@RacersHoops) July 28, 2024
Congrats @JaMorant!#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/IPLX0z2qqn
We are incredibly grateful for everything that "12" has done for Murray State, and it was an honor to celebrate his legendary career with him.
𝟭𝟮. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿.#GoRacers🏇 | @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/NzJ4RqbTsX
— Murray State MBB (@RacersHoops) July 29, 2024
You can relive the entire event from start to finish by clicking HERE.
ACADEMIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE SUCCESS
For the 40th consecutive semester, our student-athletes earned an overall GPA above 3.0 and had the highest overall GPA in SCHOOL HISTORY at 3.34 in the Spring of 2024! Additionally, each one of our programs had a team GPA of 3.0 or higher, the first time that this has happened in SCHOOL HISTORY, and eight teams picked up a GPA above 3.5.We are so proud of each of our more than 400 student-athletes and cannot thank our coaches and academic staff enough for continuing to prioritize success in the classroom.
📚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗣𝗔 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆!
— Murray State Racers Athletics (@MSURacers) May 31, 2024
🔗: https://t.co/zfao4xVSHp#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/HIEd419jkT
Our student-athletes also broke a school record for community service, recording 1,281 hours
DENNIS JACKSON LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SUCCESS
It has been a little over a year since we launched the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program (DJLP), and we could not be happier with the impact it has had on our student-athletes.Over the last year, our department has put on more than 20 different sessions based on the program's five pillars, including sessions on NIL readiness that have allowed Racer student-athletes to maximize NIL and career opportunities through strategic relationships with The Brandr Group, INFLCR, the Blue & Gold Standard and others throughout the community.
Guest speakers for these events included a representative who works with collegiate and professional sports organizations who spoke on sports betting education, Dr. Lori Robinson, the Player Engagement Manager for the Baltimore Ravens who spoke on character and values, and Timothy Warnock, a Mental Health Advocate and Educator, among others.
Dennis Jackson Leadership Program Propels Murray State to Record-Setting Year 👏
— Murray State Racers Athletics (@MSURacers) June 3, 2024
🔗: https://t.co/ecsj1CIzqJ#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/SMtQpZMLJC
We cannot wait to continue put an emphasis on this important program and further serve our student-athletes and elevate their experience, from recruitment through retirement.
FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS/RENOVATIONS
We recently announced more new facility progress around our athletics footprint, including progress in multiple team locker rooms, in the Weaver Academic Center and the Roy Stewart Weight Room.
- Men's Basketball Locker Room
- Football Locker Room
- Football Team Spaces
- Roy Stewart Stadium Weight Room
- Miller Memorial Golf Course Bunker Project
We cannot wait to share more soon about upcoming projects!
BLUE & GOLD STANDARD
Backed by the success of the DJLP, we have continued to make tremendous strides in regards to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and how it will impact our student-athletes and our entire department.We have worked closely with our partners at the Blue & Gold Standard, the official NIL entity of Murray State Athletics, to come up with a plan to allow us to maximize the ability to provide direct support to our student-athletes. Over the next year, we will be partnering with the collective on events and other initiatives that will allow us to lead the way in providing a world-class experience.
To learn more about The Blue & Gold Standard, its mission to support Murray State's student-athletes, and how you can get involved, visit www.blueandgoldstandard.com.
ALCOHOL PILOT PROGRAM AT FOOTBALL
In early August, the Department of Athletics, in conjunction with local and state officials and Sodexo partners, announced that we will begin a pilot program for the sale of select alcoholic beverages at Racer football home games beginning in the 2024 athletic season.This means that you will have the opportunity to purchase beer, seltzers, and other similar offerings at select concessions stands throughout the Roy Stewart Stadium concourse.
Murray State Athletics Announces Pilot Program for Alcohol Sales at Football Home Events
— Murray State Racers Athletics (@MSURacers) August 2, 2024
🔗: https://t.co/FvyapWQhxI#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/G2OBMx2QGP
You can read more about this exciting new addition to our football game day experience HERE.
WOMEN'S TENNIS - MVC CHAMPIONS!
I join all of Racer Nation in once again congratulating head coach Jorge Caetano, our women's tennis student-athletes and everyone involved with the program, on securing Murray State's first Missouri Valley Conference championship! The team went PERFECT in MVC play on their way to winning the regular season title and then swept the tournament to earn the tournament championship crown.𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐌𝐕𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆👑#GoRacers🏇 pic.twitter.com/9KdGBh5PDv
— Murray State Tennis (@RacersWTennis) April 28, 2024
The team earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2015 when they were tasked with playing No. 16 Tennessee in Knoxville. We are so proud of how our tennis team represented Murray State and are so excited about the future of the program!
As we continue to get this new athletic year started, there is so much we have accomplished together in the two years that I have been privileged to serve as your Director of Athletics. We are going to continue to push Murray State forward, and we cannot wait to continue to do it alongside you!
The BEST is yet to come!
Go Racers
Nico Yantko
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