MTSU Track Coach Dean Hayes Passes At Age 82

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Middle Tennessee State University track coaching legend Dean Hayes passed away at the age of 82 on Friday (Jan. 7).

Hayes’ career spanned 57 years where he guided the Blue Raiders programs to 29 OVC titles, 19 Sun Belt championships, and 20 NCAA Top 25 finishes. Fifty-three of his student-athletes have earned a total of 125 All-America honors, with five becoming national champions six times and a number of them having gone to compete internationally in the Olympic Games, World University Games, World Championships, Goodwill Games, Pan-American Games, and African Championships.

“Dean Hayes was a champion in so many ways: As a father, mentor and role model, a world-class recruiter, and a winning coach at the highest echelons,” says President Sidney A. McPhee. “Dean was a living legend. I speak for Elizabeth and my family, as well as all Blue Raiders, in expressing our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Jan and all of his family.”

Hayes coached NCAA champions Tommy Haynes (1974) and Barry McClure (1972, 1973), as well as NCAA high hurdle champion Dionne Rose (1994). In 2003, he coached national champion Mardy Scales, who won the 100-meter dash. His most recent national champion was Kigen Chemadi who won the 3000 meter steeplechase in 2021.

In Conference USA, Hayes claimed seven titles, five with the women and two with the men’s team. Most recently, he swept the 2021 men’s and women’s cross country championships. His men’s teams dominated the Ohio Valley Conference, and the women’s teams duplicated that success after Hayes took over the program in 1987. Both squads continued their success in the Sun Belt Conference, capturing 19 of the 51 indoor and outdoor titles for which they were eligible to win.

Hayes added four Conference USA Coach of the Year accolades and 15 Sun Belt Coach of the Year awards to complement his 15 OVC Coach of the Year honors, which included 10 in a row from 1977 to 1986. He was inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

“Words can’t express what Dean Hayes has meant to MTSU, the MTSU track and field program, international track and field, and the thousands of people whose lives he has impacted through his work,” says Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. “He is on the Mount Rushmore of Middle Tennessee, and not just athletics. Coach Hayes was a pioneer and an institution at MTSU. He will be sorely missed by the community, the University, and all of his former and present student-athletes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jan and his daughters Erin and Kara.”

Hayes also coached numerous international teams, whether sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field or an international federation. His international experience began at the first Olympic Sports Festival in Colorado Springs in 1978.

Since then, he coached numerous international teams, including: World University Games in Kobe, Japan (1985); Goodwill Games in Seattle (1990); World Cup in London (1994); World Championships in Athens, Greece (1997); the Goodwill Games in New York (1998); and the Ghanaian International team at the Senior Championships in Durban, South Africa (2016).

Hayes is survived by his wife, Jan; daughters, Erin and Kara; and sister, Judy. A family spokesperson indicated there will be a private funeral for family only; however, plans are underway for a Celebration of Life that will be open to the public. Date and time of the Celebration of Life is to be determined.

Two TSU Football Players To Attend NFL HBCU Combine

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The NFL, in partnership with the Senior Bowl, is hosting the 2022 HBCU Combine. Tennessee State’s Cam Durley and Cory Rahman are among those attending.

Rahman was one of the Tigers best defensive players during the 2021 season. He played in 11 games and had 41 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles, and two interceptions. Rahman was also named to the All-OVC Second Team for his performance this past season.

Durley was instrumental in first year head coach Eddie George‘s offense in 2021, helping Devon Starling to run for  848 yards in 180 attempts. Starling found the end zone three times with an average of 72.73 yards/carry behind Durley and the Tigers offensive line. He was named to the 2019 All-OVC First Team.

The combine is presented by Microsoft Surface, and will be held Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29 at the University of South Alabama Jaguar Training Center in Mobile, Alabama.

NCAA Updates COVID-19 Guidance For Winter Sports

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After multiple event cancellations over the past month, the NCAA has updated its guidance for winter sports competing during the current COVID-19 surge due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.

For the winter guidelines, the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group has developed a definition of “fully vaccinated” that considers both vaccination status and other immunity factors that may impact risks for Tier 1 individuals, including student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials.

“The omicron variant has presented another surge of cases across the country,” says NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline. “This guidance was designed to align with the latest public health directives. Given how the pandemic continues to evolve, it’s important that staff on member campuses continue to work with their local and state health officials on protocols most suitable for their locations.”

Those considered fully vaccinated include people:

  • Within two months of having completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (one dose).
  • Within five months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Pfizer vaccine, or within six months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Moderna vaccine (two doses for both).
  • Who have received a booster vaccine if they are beyond two months of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or beyond five or six months of the mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, respectively.

A person who has had a documented COVID-19 infection in the past 90 days is considered the equivalent of “fully vaccinated.”

The updated guidance also extends to close contacts. Those who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine at home for five days with no participation in athletic activities, followed by masking for five additional days. Participation in athletic activities without a mask can be considered during days six through ten, following a negative PCR/NAAT test or antigen test.

The NCAA guidance was developed in consultation with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Working Group, and Autonomy 5 Medical Advisory Group. They also take into consideration available recommendations from the CDC.

Kylie Wilkerson Named General Manager Of New F&M Bank Arena

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Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment LLC (SS&E) has named Kylie Wilkerson the General Manager of the new F&M Bank Arena.

“We are very excited to name Kylie Wilkerson as the first General Manager of F&M Bank Arena,” says Danny Butler, VP for Predators Holdings, LLC, parent company of SS&E, the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena. “Kylie started with the organization 10 years ago and has grown to be one of our best young leaders. She will bring our ‘One Goal’ philosophy with her to Montgomery County, ensuring that F&M Bank Arena is managed and operated with the same core principles that we utilize at Bridgestone Arena and our Ford Ice Centers. We could not be more pleased that she has accepted this opportunity.”

Wilkerson has worked her way up through the Predators and Bridgestone Arena organizations starting as an intern in 2001 and serving as the Director of Event Services at Bridgestone Arena since February 2021.

“Great things are happening in Montgomery County, and I’m ecstatic to see the growth that will continue with the opening of F&M Bank Arena,” Wilkerson adds. “I’m counting down the days until we get to host our first Austin Peay basketball game, bring more events to Montgomery County and expand hockey into another community.”

The venue has  already began booking events for 2023 and will continue to add staff throughout the year. F&M Bank arena will also contain luxury suites, premium seating, private hospitality space, party rooms and common areas that will have full access to the arena bowl.

The Austin Peay men’s and women’s basketball teams will move their coaches’ offices and training facilities into F&M Bank Arena, which will also house their practice court.

The Montgomery County Arena will hold approximately 6,000 fans for concerts, 5,500 for basketball games and 5,000 for hockey games.

2021 Music City Bowl Shines With Attendance Record

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Photo: Courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics

The 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl was one for the history books–not just for the exciting overtime game between Tennessee and Purdue, but also for the records the event broke.

Nissan Stadium welcomed 69, 489 fans, the most ever to attend a Music City Bowl.

“The passion of our fan base is just not surpassed anywhere in college football,” said Volunteers first year head coach Josh Heupel in a postgame press conference. “They were on fire. Driving up with the buses tonight was a special scene, as good as I’ve ever been a part of. [We] appreciate all of their support tonight and through the bowl season, but really all season long. [We] appreciated them being on this journey with us.”

The intense matchup ended after Purdue kicked a game-winning field goal in the team’s first possession of overtime with a final score of 48-45.

UT redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker had a record-breaking night. He threw for a career-high 378 yards and five touchdowns, completing 26-of-41 passes with no interceptions. With the addition 56 rushing yards, Hooker set the Tennessee bowl record for individual total offense at 434.

Hooker’s five touchdown’s also tied a Music City Bowl record for most touchdown’s thrown in the game’s history.

Junior wide receiver Cedric Tillman broke some records himself with seven catches for 150 yards and a Music City Bowl record three receiving touchdowns. His first-quarter touchdown also set a Tennessee single-season record, becoming the first player in program history to haul in a receiving touchdown in seven consecutive contests.

This season’s Volunteers finished the season with a record of 7-6, and set program records for points scored (511) and touchdowns (67) in a single season.

Tim Corbin Signs Contract Extension With Vanderbilt

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Tim Corbin. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin has signed a contract extension with the Commodores after completing his 19th season in 2021.

“Coach Corbin and the Vandy Boys continue to set an example for what is possible to achieve. They have set the bar high for Vanderbilt Athletics,” says Candice Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “By offering student-athletes a world-class education and an opportunity to learn from one of the best leaders in sports, while competing in the SEC, Coach Corbin has forged college baseball’s preeminent program and a team that we are all proud to call our own.

“The Vandy Boys are responsible for some of Commodore Nation’s greatest memories,” Lee continues. “I appreciate the investment that Tim and his wife, Maggie, have made—and continue to make—in our community. We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting them and the program for years ahead.”

Corbin has turned Vanderbilt baseball to be one 0f the most successful baseball programs in the nation, leading the Commodores to four national championship appearances and two College World Series wins (2014, 2019) in the past eight seasons.

His record of 802-377-1 (.680) is first in wins at Vanderbilt and first in winning percentage for coaches with at least 100 games. Corbin is 908-515-1 (.638) throughout his career as a head coach.

Corbin has led Vanderbilt to 15 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, tied for the longest streak in SEC history.

“I am as grateful today for this position as I was when we began in the summer of 2002,” Corbin says. “This university has been so supportive of our program through the years, and all we want to do is represent Vanderbilt to the best of our ability to show our appreciation. We are extremely thankful to both Candice Lee and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier for their support and friendship.”

Since taking over in 2003, 52 student-athletes have been named All-American, including 17 who received first-team recognition. Corbin has coached 29 freshman All-Americans and 26 future MLB players.

Corbin was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020.

MTSU Defeats Toledo At 2021 Bahamas Bowl

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MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill hoisting the Bahamas Bowl trophy with the team. Photo: Courtesy of Middle Tennessee Athletic Department

Middle Tennessee State University football pulled off a comeback against Toledo to win the 2021 Bahamas Bowl 31-24 at Thomas Robinson Stadium on Friday, Dec. 17.

The Blue Raiders trailed at halftime 17-14 but went on to outscore Toledo 17-7.

“I’m really proud of our team,” MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill shared in a postgame press conference. “The toughness, the guts, the competitiveness, the resilience, the mental toughness they showed today was fun to watch. I told them at halftime that I believed in them and I believed they were made of the right stuff. They were made of the right stuff.”

Middle Tennessee’s freshman quarterback Nicholas Vattiato was named offensive player of the game after completing 23-of-35 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile DQ Thomas earned defensive player of the game, leading the Blue Raiders with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, holding the Rockets to just 4-of-15 on third down.

“It was something that we planned going in,” explained Vattiato. “Me and Mike both knew the game plan and we felt comfortable with it going in. We had practiced it the last two weeks… I think that we both did a great job and it become more comfortable running in and out throughout the entire game, and that benefited our team.”

The win is Middle Tennessee’s first bowl win since their 35-30 win over Arkansas State in the 2017 Camellia Bowl. The win also improves the Blue Raider’s record to 7-6, securing their first winning season since the 8-6 2018 C-USA East Champions campaign.

Thomas Rhett, Mitchell Tenpenny & Walker Hayes To Perform At New Year’s Sporting Events

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Country artists Thomas Rhett, Mitchell Tenpenny and Walker Hayes are headlining two major sporting events over New Year’s: the NHL Winter Classic and the Orange Bowl.

Rhett, an 18x multi-Platinum and Gold-Certified country artist, will perform during the first period intermission at the sold-out Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild. The game will be played outdoors at Target Field, the home of MLB’s Minnesota Twins on Jan. 1.

The 2019 ACM Performer of the Year’s performance will be aired on TNT as part of the Winter Classic Event. The game and concert will air at 6 p.m. CT.

Tenpenny and Hayes will be performing at the highly anticipated 2021 Orange Bowl between Georgia and Michigan on New Year’s Eve.

The “Drunk Me” singer played football in high school and planned to play college football before deciding to pursue a music career. The fan fest will take place in the south lot outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT. Admission to fan fest is free for all fans with a ticket to the game.

“I’ve watched the Orange Bowl ever since I can remember,” says Tenpenny. “I’m so excited to play fan fest and get to see this game live!”

At halftime of the Orange Bowl, Hayes, the 2x Platinum singer of “Fancy Like,” will take the stage to perform the halftime show. The Orange Bowl will air on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. CT.