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MTSU Sidelines Editorially independent, student-run publication at Middle Tennessee State University Even comments on the operations of the paper still ring true.

Sidelines focuses much of its coverage on campus-related news but does report on current events involving the Middle Tennessee area. Reports on student government and athletics have dominated the paper since its origins. While under the supervision of the Public Relations office for many years, the paper's content is now under the control of its editorial staff. The paper's tone is also closer to

the objectivity expected from a major newspaper. However, the articles in a current issue of Sidelines are often remarkably similar to those of an issue from 40 years ago. A 1951 issue featured a complaint about the lack of student involvement in the Associated Student Body. Many issues from the 1970s had articles debating allowing alcohol on campus and the legalization of ma*****na. The Greenland Drive parking lot and the possibility of cable television in dorm rooms were first mentioned in the early 1980s. An editor in the Sept. 26, 1940, issue of Sidelines bemoaned the lack of student involvement in the paper. Another column from that period suggests that the best time to write an article is at 2 a.m., a situation familiar to any past or present staff member. While "the more things change, the more they stay the same," is a cliché, it has more than a note of truth when applied to the newspaper and its relationship to the campus community. A number of locally and nationally known figures have worked for the paper in the past. The newsrooms of The Tennessean and The Daily News Journal are filled with Sidelines alumni. Long-time state Rep. John Bragg and award-winning WTVF-Channel 5 reporter Phil Williams were editors-in-chief, and other staffers have gone on to work for the Associated Press and USA Today. As a community news source and historical record, Sidelines has been a key part of MTSU for decades. Though often functioning with a small staff and smaller funding, the paper continues to report on the news and issues that affect our campus. (Note: much of the information in this article was obtained from The First Fifty Years, a history of MTSU by Homer Pittard.)

SideView is out now! The first episode of our weekly podcast that summarizes the week’s stories is on Spotify. Check out...
06/02/2023

SideView is out now! The first episode of our weekly podcast that summarizes the week’s stories is on Spotify.

Check out the link in our bio to give it a listen and keep an eye out each Monday for new episodes!

MTSU Sidelines is looking for students to work as writers, photographers, and an assistant sports editor! If you’re inte...
18/01/2023

MTSU Sidelines is looking for students to work as writers, photographers, and an assistant sports editor! If you’re interested, DM or show up to our weekly meeting in the CIM in the College of Media and Entertainment on Friday at 11:30am.

A bill that would criminalize drag shows in public areas was introduced in the Tennessee state senate on Nov. 9. State S...
18/11/2022

A bill that would criminalize drag shows in public areas was introduced in the Tennessee state senate on Nov. 9. State Sen. Jack Johnson’s , R-Brentwood, bill would expand the definition of “adult cabaret performances” to include drag and would outlaw such performances on public property.

The bill’s introduction comes on the heels of a number of controversial drag shows that took place in Tennessee this year.

Story by Stephanie Hall

Read the full story on Sidelines’ website.

A bill that would criminalize drag shows in public areas was introduced in the Tennessee state senate on Nov. 9. State S...
18/11/2022

A bill that would criminalize drag shows in public areas was introduced in the Tennessee state senate on Nov. 9. State Sen. Jack Johnson’s , R-Brentwood, bill would expand the definition of “adult cabaret performances” to include drag and would outlaw such performances on public property.

The bill’s introduction comes on the heels of a number of controversial drag shows that took place in Tennessee this year.

Story by Stephanie Hall

See the rest of the article on the Sidelines website.

Incumbent Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee celebrated a landslide re-election over Democratic opponent Dr. Jason Martin.“Being th...
09/11/2022

Incumbent Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee celebrated a landslide re-election over Democratic opponent Dr. Jason Martin.

“Being the governor of this state has been the honor of my life,” Lee said. “And I want to thank you and the people of this state who have given me and Maria the opportunity to serve again.”

Keep an eye out for the full article forthcoming on Sidelines.

Story and Photos by Matthew Giffin

Wynonna Judd announced another concert, “The Judds, Love is Alive: The Final Concert,” set for November 3 at MTSU’s Murp...
26/10/2022

Wynonna Judd announced another concert, “The Judds, Love is Alive: The Final Concert,” set for November 3 at MTSU’s Murphy Center. The concert is a tribute to her mother, near the 31st anniversary of her final show with her mother Naomi who passed away in April. Wynonna Judd announced another concert, “The Judds, Love is Alive: The Final Concert,” set for November 3 at MTSU’s Murphy Center. The concert is a tribute to her mother, near the 31st anniversary of her final show with her mother Naomi who passed away in April.

MTSU turned the Hurricanes over on their first two offensive drives, capped off with a pick-6 from defensive lineman Zay...
26/09/2022

MTSU turned the Hurricanes over on their first two offensive drives, capped off with a pick-6 from defensive lineman Zaylin Wood to take 17-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 24-10 lead at halftime.

“We set the tone early on defense,” said Stockstill. “I’m really proud of our team. We never flinched. That’s what I’m proud of, we knocked these suckers off.”

MTSU returns home to Floyd Stadium to take on UTSA in the annual Blackout Game on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on the CBS Sports Network and the Blue Raider Radio Network.

Read the full article on our site.

“We will not have family housing as an option when Womack Lane goes away – at least that is not the plan. We only have 1...
09/09/2022

“We will not have family housing as an option when Womack Lane goes away – at least that is not the plan. We only have 12 apartments left of Family Housing at this point,” said Director of Housing at MTSU, Michelle Safewright.

There are no notes of any kind of daycare facility on the 2016 campus masterplan, so family on-campus housing is surely to be effected by these demolitions.

“A financial feasibility study is currently underway for the first phase. If construction is feasible within the budget constraints, project completion is estimated in 2025,” said Waits.

On-campus housing has been a controversial topic since MTSU was founded, and the rate of students living on campus has dropped in recent years, possibly contributed to COVID-19 and a drop in general college attendance by Tennesseans over the past few years, a study from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission shows.

Read our full article on the site.

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