Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) officially cut the ribbon on the Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center on July 30 - a state-of-the-art, $66 million, 85,000-square-foot facility that marks a new era for Blue Raider Athletics.

The center, named in honor of Stephen and Denise Smith of Ravenswood Farm in Brentwood, Tennessee, reflects the couple’s unwavering support for the university and its student-athletes. Both owners and breeders of Tennessee Walking Horses, the Smiths are longtime leaders in the equine industry. He is a two-term president of TWHBEA, a Master Breeder, and currently serves as chairman of MTSU’s Board of Trustees. He also remains an active member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Foundation Board of Directors.

“This facility is a fitting tribute to the many contributions of Steve and Denise Smith,” said MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee. “Their leadership and generosity continue to shape the future of our university and our athletic program.”

The new complex serves as the home of MTSU Football and provides a centralized hub for performance, preparation, and recovery for all 17 of the university’s teams.

Steve and Denise’s commitment to MTSU is evident in every corner of the new facility, an enduring legacy of their dedication to excellence, community, and the next generation.