By Ronan Summers, Staff Writer
Sports are often a big part of the college experience, so knowing what to expect when it comes to men’s and women’s collegiate sports can be helpful.
Murray State’s mascot is a bit unconventional. The mascot was the “Thoroughbreds” until 1961, when the University rebranded to the “Racers.” Thoroughbreds was too long to write out in its entirety in newspapers, so it is believed the switch to the Racers was to shorten the nickname.
There are 15 D1 sports on the University’s campus. Of the 15 sports played, six are men’s and nine are women’s. There is tons of action all year round in both men’s and women’s sports.When students first get to Murray State in the fall, there are plenty of sports getting started. Men’s and women’s cross country, men’s football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball are all played in the fall.
The cross country teams travel all season long, while the soccer team plays on Cutchin Field. Carlisle Cutchin coached Murray State’s football team from 1925-1930 and the basketball team from 1925-1940. The soccer field is honored after him and his accomplishments. The volleyball team plays in Racer Arena, located on the east side of the Carr Health building on campus, where the basketball teams played from 1954-1998.
The Racers soccer team made it all the way to the Missouri Valley Championship in 2022 but lost the matchup. They made it to the second round of the MVC tournament last year before losing in penalty kicks. The volleyball team has remained competitive since joining the MVC in 2022, where they made an appearance in the postseason tournament. The football team plays in Roy Stewart Stadium, otherwise known as “The Stew.”
There are also sports that start in the fall and continue year-round. The men’s and women’s golf teams play at Miller Memorial Golf Course, while the rifle team hosts their matches at Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, located under Roy Stewart Stadium. The rifle team has won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship four straight times in the past four years and 18 times overall.
Winter
Once it starts getting colder out and winter is around the corner, Murray State’s most popular sport is in season: basketball.
Both the men’s and women’s teams play in the CFSB Center, also known as “The Bank.” The CFSB Center was used in 2010 to host games for the NCAA Tournament.
The men’s team, led by Racers head coach Steve Prohm, made it to the NCAA Tournament in the 2021-22 season before getting eliminated in the Round of 32. This past year, the Racers went 12-20 and were eliminated in the first round of the MVC Tournament.
The women’s team is coached by a longtime high school coach whose success in the area is well known. Rechelle Turner and her team most recently went 20-12 and made it to the second round of the MVC Tournament. The Racers also qualified for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) this past season.
Spring
Track and field, baseball, softball and tennis all start up in the spring semester, while golf and rifle finish up their seasons during this time of year.
Marshall Gage Track is the home of the track and field team. It surrounds the football field in Roy Stewart Stadium. They host one track meet per year, and Murray State hosts just a womens track and field team.
Johnny Reagan Field sits right next to the football stadium and is home to the baseball team, while the softball team plays on Racer Field right across from the football stadium.
The tennis team hosts matches at the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts next to Cutchin Field. The tennis team won the MVC this year but lost to Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA.
Admission is free as long as you bring your school ID.