City of
Nashville Nashville: Music City USA
Middle Tennessee thrives in the radiant glow of Nashville’s exponential growth. Some major metropolitan areas overshadow their neighbors, but Nashville provides unprecedented economic and media support. The relationship between Davidson County and Rutherford County is akin to a big brother looking out for the up-and-coming sibling. Davidson County saw a nearly 14% population growth from 1990 to 2002, and Rutherford County boomed with a 62% increase. (Regional Profile, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, 2003) Living up to the title of Music City U.S.A. requires a morethan-impressive collection of media outlets, coverage, and support. The Tennessean, Nashville Business Journal, and the City Paper each provide superior coverage, and eight local television stations and 29 radio stations never miss a moment of news, weather, and sports action in and around Davidson County. The Sun Belt Conference and its members have access to and are able to draw from the seemingly limitless resources offered by Middle Tennessee’s proximity to Nashville.
Blue Raiders Reach Davidson County alums
Middle Tennessee has more than 13,000 alumni in greater Davidson County and the Blue Raider athletic department has a far-reaching impact into the Nashville area. The Blue Raiders regularly play football games in Music City in order to help reach more of their vast, growing fan base. Middle Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in 2001, 2002, and 2005, and the Blue Raiders played host to Big East foe Louisville at LP Field in 2006, marking the first time the football program has played a home football game in Nashville as a Division I-A member. The game was televised nationally on ESPN2 and drew a record home crowd for the Blue Raiders. While Middle Tennessee, a mere 32 miles from Nashville, reaches into Davidson County to provide followers with a high-level of Division I college competition, Music City also provides plenty of professional flair. Football, baseball, and hockey are all covered by the Titans, Sounds and Predators.