GoMiddle Exclusive: Interview with Deputy AD Lee De Leon and AD Chris Massaro
GoMiddle got the opportunity to chat with deputy AD Lee De Leon and AD Chris Massaro
The fall semester at Middle Tennessee State is about to kick off and before you know it, sports will shift into high gear. Activity on the GoMiddle message board has been buzzing, and there are many who have burning questions that they want to be answered by the higher ups at MTSU. We at GoMiddle got the chance to chat with Deputy Athletic Director Lee De Leon, and Athletic Director Chris Massaro.
Let’s dive in!
Lee De Leon:
1. How are you going to try and get fans and students to games?
Increasing attendance is one of our highest priorities because a great home atmosphere gives our teams a competitive advantage and directly helps them win. Our coaches, student-athletes and staff all want to create an environment that make our home venues difficult places for opponents to play.
To get more fans to our games, we are trying to do a better job getting our student-athletes and coaches in the community – making appearances at local events, doing community service, showing up at the Farmer’s Market on the Square, and making better connections with fans (and potential fans). We are also trying to grow our presence on social media by putting out interesting, fan-first content like “Walk and Talks” and “Raider Reports” with Emmy Fazenbaker and Season Preview podcasts with each of our head coaches. A couple of years ago, we started a Fan Experience Committee that has been helpful in giving us feedback and sharing ideas to improve the overall experience of our fans at home athletic events, which will help increase attendance. Many of the recommendations from that committee are now being implemented, and we believe fans will notice meaningful improvements to the overall game-day experience this season. One specific example to drive fans to the first home Football game this year is our new White Out package, where we are taking a new and exciting approach to increase attendance at the home opener. We’ll be announcing additional details soon.
We also want to remind fans that attending a Blue Raider game remains one of the best entertainment values in Middle Tennessee. Our ticket prices are very affordable, concession prices are fan-friendly, and parking is convenient and located just steps from the stadium. We want families to know that coming to an MTSU game is easy, affordable and a great experience.
For students, we recently reverted back (based on feedback from the Student Government Association) to students only needing to show their physical BlueID card to get in free to ALL home athletic events at MTSU. This made it easier for students to come to games without having to download digital tickets ahead of time. We want to make it as easy as possible for students to attend our games!
This year, we are implementing a new structure with the Blue Zoo, our official student section. We’re also introducing Blue Zoo student leaders—our “Zoo Keepers”—who will help organize cheers, engage fellow students and build excitement across campus leading up to home games. We also have a Blue Zoo “Street Team” that is run by our Athletics Marketing department who will be paid an hourly rate to promote athletics home events on campus throughout the week (passing out donuts and flyers, taking student-athletes to the Student Union to interact with other students, etc.).
2. Have there been talks with sponsors about doing a jersey patch similar to Wisconsin and Culver’s agreement?
Yes. Our corporate sponsorship sales team (which we outsource to a company called Van Wagner) is actively pitching jersey patch sponsorships in the business community as we speak. This is one of their top priorities this year. We are looking for a corporate partner who would put their logo on the jerseys of our student-athletes across all 17 sports. Finding the right partner who aligns with the Blue Raider brand is an important priority as we continue to expand our corporate partnerships. If interested, please contact Chris Hill, our Van Wagner General Manager at MTSU, at chill@mtsuas.com.
3. Years ago the “Blue Zoo” became a big part of the fan base in the Murphy Center with a strong fraternity support group. Has there been any talk of working with the on campus fraternities for possibly resurrecting the Zoo once again?
The Blue Zoo has never gone away, but the involvement with fraternities and sororities has decreased dramatically. As we restructure and try to bring new energy to the Blue Zoo (described in Question 1), we need to find ways to better connect Greek Life with the Blue Zoo. Last week, Chris Massaro and I met with MTSU’s new Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. James Bridgeforth, and he was adamant about helping us get more students to our games. He also specifically mentioned the importance of a healthy/thriving Greek Life and his desire to grow our student body’s participation in fraternities and sororities. There’s definitely a natural connection between the Blue Zoo and Greek Life, so we will recommend that as a priority under Dr. Bridgeforth’s leadership.
On a side note, my intern Cam Lacy on the Football team told me that several Football players and coaches (including Derek Mason) are affiliated with fraternities and would love to see a stronger connection between Greek Life and our student-athletes. Let’s make it happen!
4. There’s a strong feeling amongst a large portion of the old school fan base that the traditional MT logo without the addition of the Lightning Pegasus is the preferred logo for the athletic department. It’s understood the current logo is strongly supported by the current administration. Would you be willing to share with the new incoming president many of the fans thoughts on the possibility of a logo change, or see if perhaps an online vote could be created that students & fans could participate with the new president’s approval.
The University’s recently adopted Brand Guide established the official University and Athletics marks, and the MT logo without the Pegasus is no longer an official mark. The Pegasus logo is our primary athletics logo and is now prominently incorporated throughout our facilities and branding, including our mid-court and mid-field logos. Any future decisions regarding institutional branding would ultimately be made by University leadership.
5. If Murphy Center renovations are complete by 2030, would MT offer MC as a place for concerts during Super Bowl week?
Absolutely! We are already working on bringing more concerts to campus, at the Murphy Center and even Floyd Stadium. In fact, we are hoping to do a concert or two before the renovation of the Murphy Center begins. Having more concerts in the Murphy Center is a major priority for Chris Massaro and the University leadership.
6. Thoughts on a possible University name change coming down the pike?
I haven’t been involved in any discussions regarding a possible University name change. My focus remains on providing resources to better support Blue Raider Athletics and creating the best possible experience for our student-athletes and fans.
Chris Massaro:
1. When will the Murphy Center renovations start?
The programming phase has been completed. The next step is the detailed design phase, which is expected to take approximately one year. Construction is anticipated to take about two years after that, although we are still working with our construction team to determine the best approach for phasing the project while minimizing disruptions to our athletic programs and the many other campus users of the Murphy Center.
2. What is the projected finish date to all the Murphy Center work?
The summer of 2029 is currently the projected completion date. This $119 million renovation will transform the Murphy Center into a premier facility for both Athletics and the University.
From an athletics standpoint, the project will modernize the men’s and women’s basketball offices, locker rooms, sports medicine and training areas, while also adding premium seating, improved interior bowl amenities, enhanced fan circulation, new handrails, and other significant upgrades throughout the facility.
The renovation will also address important academic needs by creating exercise science laboratories, enhancing dance studios and infrastructure for dance majors, modernizing classrooms, improving office space for faculty, and updating other shared spaces that will benefit the broader campus community.
3. Any update on the “Lightning Zone” entertainment district? Were Swig and Cledis Burgers part of that plan? Obviously, they are great additions near campus but I am wondering if they were actively involved in those.
The Lightning Zone is envisioned as a destination that will serve not only our students, alumni, and fans, but the entire Murfreesboro community. The long-term vision includes an on-campus hotel and additional commercial development that will enhance the area surrounding our athletic venues while creating new opportunities for the University and the community.
It is my understanding that the agreement for the on-campus hotel at the corner of Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Greenland Drive has been finalized, and progress continues toward construction. Current plans call for a four-story, 120-room hotel.
The Lightning Zone Committee, which includes members of our Board of Trustees, University leadership, local elected officials, and community leaders, meets regularly to help guide the project’s development.
We are excited about partnering with the City of Murfreesboro. Our Campus Planning Office and the City’s Planning and Zoning officials meet regularly to ensure coordination as we weave multiple projects together in a unified effort that benefits both the University and the community.
Swig and Cledis Burgers certainly complement the overall vision for the area, but they were not part of the original Lightning Zone planning process because those projects were already underway before the committee was formed. They are; however, great additions that help build momentum and contribute to the continued growth of the area surrounding campus.
As we continue to attract athletic events, concerts, graduations, and other major gatherings, creating a vibrant entertainment district will further enhance the overall fan and visitor experience.
4. Are there any new renderings to the Murphy Center’s exterior focusing on the walk up ramps? I have seen the new renderings of the proposed interior upgrade but would like to see a rendering if available of what’s being done to improve the awkward staggered steps leading up to the Murphy Center.
Yes. One of the most noticeable exterior improvements will be the removal of the existing stairs on the northeast side of the Murphy Center and the creation of a beautiful new main entrance that will significantly improve accessibility and the overall arrival experience.
Additional renderings and information are available as part of Phase II of the Build Blue Campaign, which highlights the Murphy Center renovation project. While the renderings remain conceptual and are subject to refinement during the design process, they provide an exciting look at the future of one of the University’s most iconic facilities.
5. What do you recognize as MT’s three or four most significant impediments to our success and what you intend to try and do to overcome those impediments. What is your vision for success for Middle Tennessee?
One of our biggest priorities is continuing to generate the resources necessary to invest in our student-athletes and remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape. That includes continuing to grow revenue, enhance facilities, strengthen our fan engagement, and provide an outstanding student-athlete experience.
I prefer to focus on what we have rather than what we don’t. We have an outstanding location in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, a loyal and passionate fan base, dedicated coaches and staff, tremendous University leadership, and student-athletes who represent Middle Tennessee with pride.
As we continue investing in our facilities—including the Murphy Center renovation—and develop the Lightning Zone entertainment district around our athletic venues, we’ll create an even stronger destination for students, alumni, fans, and the entire community.
Our vision is for Middle Tennessee to consistently compete for championships while becoming one of the premier destinations for student-athletes and fans alike.
I am extremely optimistic about our future. Despite the many changes and challenges that have reshaped college athletics since COVID, I believe Middle Tennessee is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.