MT Athletics Collection 

Historical Sketch

A Brief Look at Campus Football from the 1930s to 1960

          The thirty-year period between the 1930s and 1960s was a pivotal time for campus, for it underwent the effects of World War II and several administration stages as it matured from State Teachers College to College status.

          Middle Tennessee State Teachers College suffered a terrible loss during the first half of the 1930s with the death of beloved Frank Faulkinberry, coach of all sports since 1926.  This devastating news undoubtedly affected the morale of the football team; the following two seasons were rather unsuccessful.  In 1934 the Daily News Journal hosted a contest to officially name the campus sports teams, which altered between the names “Old Norm,” “Mid-State,” “State Teachers,” “Teachers,” “Pedagogues,” and “Blue and White” for the previous twenty-three years.  Charles Gene Sarver, a guard on the varsity football team, chose the winning name “Raiders.”  Combined with the team colors, the campus students were officially dubbed the “Blue Raiders.”

Football team, unknown year

          The Blue Raiders, armed with a new name, took to Horace Jones field with renewed inspiration.  Johnny “Red” Floyd returned to Middle Tennessee State to lead the campus’ first undefeated football team to victory during the 1935-1936 season.  In fact, Coach Floyd only had one losing season during his career (1938 with a 2-6 record).    

As World War II developed, activities on campus changed dramatically.  Due to the large number of male students involved in the war effort, men’s athletics were discontinued from 1942 through 1945.  As a result, rivalries developed between the student teams and the military teams temporarily residing on campus.

As the war ended and male students returned to campus, Coaches Midgett and Jordan encounter the largest football squad ever assembled on Jones Field.  It is composed of both youngsters and older veterans taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the Montgomery G.I. Bill.  In the spring of 1947, Midgett voluntarily returned to the classroom as head of the Business Department.  During that year Charles “Bubber” Murphy, versatile athlete during the Floyd regime, was employed to fill the vacancy.

Coach Wink Midgett

Murphy is regarded as one of best football coaches in Tennessee history.  Under his influence, the Blue Raiders experienced amazing success.  He led the Blue Raiders to four undefeated seasons and conference championships in 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1956-1959, 1962, 1964, and 1965.  Murphy’s 155-63-8 record over twenty years as a football coach is unrivaled.  For the first time in MTSC history, the football team participated in a major bowl game in 1959.  On December 31, in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, “Bubber” Murphy led the Blue Raiders to victory over Presbyterian College of Clinton, South Carolina.  The score was 21-12.

For more information on Murphy, please refer to the Gore Center’s Charles “Bubber” Murphy Collection subject guide.