Special Journey to Captiol Hill

Summer is a time when most of the Blue Raider Football team is going to summer school and training in preparation for the 2009 season. However, for walk-on Sherman neal his summer plans just got a lot more busy. Neal has decided to work in Washington, D.C. for 2 weeks for Congressman Bart Gordon at the House of Representatives and then travel to Virginia for a 10-week officers training camp for the U.S. Marine Corps. Sherman plans to accomplish this whirlwind tour just in time to return to Murfreesboro in time for football practice convenes August 9th. This type of summer is no challenge for Neal who spent last summer in Florida State's Summer Law program.

"Sherman is a good person, a good student, and has really helped us on the football team," said Stockstill. "I tell guys on the team all the time to get as much as they can out of the four or five years they are here. I tell them to use Middle Tennessee and not to let Middle Tennessee use them. Get to know professors, get to know people who can help you once you graduate, and get involved in summer internships. He is a very focused young man, a very goal-oriented young man and I think he is going to be very successful because he is not waiting until after he graduates to take action."

Read more about Neal's story by Sarah Fryer on www.GoBlueRaiders.com

Camps completed

What a whirlwind last week was with three camps in a 7 day period. The MT Football program held two Elite camps and their annual Youth camp during the first summer camp period. Word about the Blue Raiders is definitely spreading as our Elite Camp had campers from all over the southeast from GA, TN, AL, KY and even FL. Attendance was also better than ever as over 800 campers were on the campus of MTSU in the past week.

Youth Camp was a blast for all the coaches as they had the opportunity to teach the fundamentals of football to over 100 young men. Campers spent 3 days learning about offensive and defensive positions, competed in a skills competition and played the always popular "Raider Ball". Youth camp was highlighted with a day long "Raider Ball" tournament in Floyd Stadium. The MT football coaches even challenged the "Raider Ball" All-Stars to a game, the outcome of which is shrouded in controversy. Pictures will follow soon!