3rd Annual MT-WKU Blood Drive set for Oct. 29-31

MURFREESBORO - Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky will continue their nearly century-old football rivalry in Bowling Green on Thursday, Nov. 1, but another rivalry between the two Sun Belt Conference schools will also share the spotlight that week.

The Blue Raiders and the Hilltoppers have played each other in football 62 times, with MTSU holding a slight 32-29-1 edge. But the two schools will go head-to-head for the third time in a competitive blood drive for the American Red Cross.

Middle Tennessee won the inaugural drive, the brainchild of Blue Raider Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, in 2010 and also took the title in 2011.

Diane Turnham, associate director of athletics for the Blue Raiders, and Dr. Gloria Bonner, assistant to the president for community engagement, will spearhead the drive locally. And while they both know that the competitive drive between the two schools is intense, they say the real winner is the Red Cross. Last year's drive netted 1,059 pints of blood, with 589 donated at Middle Tennessee.

"That's what it is all about," Turnham pointed out. "While it is always great to compete against Western on the field, it is also satisfying to help others. And we can do both with this blood drive."

The blood drive will be held on both campuses Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Oct. 29-31. The Middle Tennessee drive will be held in the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center, and parking will be reserved for blood donors.

Turnham also noted that donation appointments can be made online to avoid waiting. Middle Tennessee supporters can visit www.redcrossblood.org/MTSUWKU for the details.

On Monday, the opening day, the blood drive will start at noon and conclude at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, the blood drive will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday's donation times will be 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The drive is open to all Middle Tennessee students, administrators, faculty, staff and alumni. Turnham also invited everyone in Murfreesboro and surrounding communities to come give blood.

"It is a competition that almost everyone can get involved in, and we hope they will," she said.

The winner will be announced at the MT-WKU football game on Nov. 1. Kickoff for the Thursday night game will be at 8:15 p.m.; the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

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