MTSU Sidelines

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.)

MTSU’s new craft room has “a little bit of everything for everybody.”Read more at the link in our bio! Story by Bridget ...
09/10/2026

MTSU’s new craft room has “a little bit of everything for everybody.”

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Bridget Cullen and TJ Miller

Photo by Bridget Cullen

Graphic by Jaeda Jackson

Rutledge Hall, one of the five original buildings on campus, re-opened its doors Sept. 9 to Middle Tennessee State Unive...
09/10/2026

Rutledge Hall, one of the five original buildings on campus, re-opened its doors Sept. 9 to Middle Tennessee State University students, faculty and staff.

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Zoe Kuhn

Photo by Nick Snipes

Graphic by Jaeda Jackson

The rapid installation of Flock Safety’s AI-powered cameras around the U.S. has sparked controversy in recent months – n...
09/09/2026

The rapid installation of Flock Safety’s AI-powered cameras around the U.S. has sparked controversy in recent months – no less within MTSU’s community.

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Lily Agee

Photo Screenshotted from Reddit

Graphic by Maddy Couey

Students and faculty weigh in on generative AI’s place on campus. Read more at the link in our bio! Story by Logan Bowma...
09/09/2026

Students and faculty weigh in on generative AI’s place on campus.

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Logan Bowman

Photo by Jesse Ammons

Graphic by Maddy Couey

09/09/2026

Sidelines Newsletter Recap! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with all things Features, News, Sports and more!

Subscribe at the link in our bio!

Video by Halle Ledbetter

The best photos from MTSU’s weather-shortened win against Murray State.Photos by Joey AlekseyGraphic by Jaeda Jackson ...
09/09/2026

The best photos from MTSU’s weather-shortened win against Murray State.

Photos by Joey Aleksey

Graphic by Jaeda Jackson



Roman Gagliano (16) scores a MTSU touchdown off a QB scramble Floyd Stadium Sept. 5, 2026.

MTSU long-snapper, Henry Hamlin (59) gets some reps in before kickoff at Floyd Stadium, Sept. 5, 2026.

MTSU mascot, Lighting, wears D. Parton jersey in honor of Dolly Parton at season opener in Floyd Stadium, Sept. 5, 2026

Cam’ron Lacy (3), takes big strides on his way into the end zone for a MTSU touchdown at Floyd Stadium, Sept. 5, 2026.

Garret Austin (76) sets up block for, Cam’ron Lacy (3) for a MTSU touchdown at Floyd Stadium Sept. 5, 2026.

09/08/2026

Want to catch up on all of MTSU‘s news, features and sports from this week? Tune into WMTS 88.3 at 6 p.m for MTSU Sidelines radio station, Between the Headlines

Video by Brett Walker

Live in the Boro begins Nov. 5 when multi-platinum country artist Bailey Zimmerman takes the stage at Murphy Center.Read...
09/08/2026

Live in the Boro begins Nov. 5 when multi-platinum country artist Bailey Zimmerman takes the stage at Murphy Center.

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Tucker Young

Photo courtesy of Sidelines’ archives

Graphic by Maddy Couey

Through a culture change and roster reconstruction, wide receiver Cam’ron Lacy is making his mark on Middle Tennessee fo...
09/08/2026

Through a culture change and roster reconstruction, wide receiver Cam’ron Lacy is making his mark on Middle Tennessee football

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story and Graphic by Brett Walker

Photos by Joey Aleksey

Meta, the parent company of the platforms Instagram and Facebook, recently agreed to a $17 billion settlement in a lawsu...
09/08/2026

Meta, the parent company of the platforms Instagram and Facebook, recently agreed to a $17 billion settlement in a lawsuit alleging it purposely made its platforms addictive to teenagers.

The multistate lawsuit accused Meta of misleading the public about its platform’s danger, ignoring the damage it has caused youth’s mental health and violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Read more at the link in our bio!

Story by Gary Davis

Graphic by Golibe Chukwurah

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