Tennessee State University Office of Alumni Relations

TSU Family,
Official host hotel information for each away game will be released this week!
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TSU Family,

TSUNAA’s Tennessee State University Nashville Alumni Chapter’s “Second Annual Big Blue Car and Bike Show”

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026 |
Rain Date (if needed): June 27

Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Trophies at 12:00 pm

Location: Cathedral of Praise |
Near the Intersection of Kings Lane and Clarksville Pike - 4300 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218 | Get Google Maps Directions

Family-Friendly Event | Free Admission | Free Parking | Open to Public

Vehicles: $35 per entry | Featuring Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Bikes, Trikes, and Slingshots

Vendors: $150 | Sponsorships: $200 and up

TSUNAA’s Alumni Nashville Chapter 2nd Annual Big Blue Car and Bike Show continues to grow as a signature event for alumni, supporters, and automotive enthusiasts across the region. Where engines roar; our Big Blue Tigers roar louder!

Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tn--nashville/car-show/

Email [email protected] with questions or inquiries about the event.

We LOVE it when members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Mighty Rho Psi Chapter) stop in to make their annual donations to the TSU Foundation before the fiscal year ends on June 30th. It’s not too late to make your donation to your entity of choice.

Please do so by clicking here:

http://www.tnstate.edu/givenow

The TSU Women’s Basketball “Meet and Greet” with Head Coach, Candice Dupree was a tremendous success, bringing together coaches, alumni, and supporters, for an afternoon of connection and excitement.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet the staff, learn about the program’s vision for the upcoming season, and celebrate the strong sense of community surrounding TSU Women’s Basketball. The event showcased the program’s commitment to excellence on and off the court while building enthusiasm and support for another exciting year of Tiger basketball. Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Tina Fox spearheaded the event and raised over $20,000 in two months from alumni and friends for the Lady Tigers’ Program.

TSU Family,

Recently, the men of the Beta Omicron Alumni Association (BOAA) traveled to Detroit, Michigan for their BOAA Retreat: Themed: Purpose, Power, and Brotherhood Connections. Over sixty (60) brothers who pledged in the 1960’s to 2020’s traveled to the Motor City to be in attendance. “It was truly a great time time to celebrate our beloved Beta Omicron Chapter and Tennessee State University. There were many opportunities to make brotherly connections across various eras, have fun, discuss men’s health, and to discuss our commitment to TSU and the TSU Foundation” stated BOAA President Reko Moore. They had events from Thursday – Saturday, which culminated at the Historic Alpha House in Detroit. They even had a BOAA Cookout and invited the Tennessee State Alumni Association – Detroit Chapter. The Detroit Chapter showed up and showed out , in strong numbers. The next thing you know the TSU Homecoming energy was in Detroit, as they all sang “I’m So Glad”. Their non-TSU guests witnessed TSU Big Blue Energy and were amazed at the love. “The weekend was phenomenal” stated Brother Cedric Stokes “and all the BOAA members left with a renewed commitment to Alpha, BOAA, and TSU!”

TSU Family,

Watch Tennessee State University’s golf team national spotlight here! Awesome job Coach McGrath!

Episode 2: Tennessee State University - NewsBreak “If you can dream it, go figure out how to do it.” That’s the mantra Coach Parrish McGrath instills in his graduating seniors on the golf team at Tennessee

TSU Family,

To make your room reservations at TSU’s host hotel for the John A. Merritt Classic please call the Loews Hotel at 1-800-235-6397! Only $239/night plus taxes and fees.

DEADLINE for this discounted rate is July 29th!

Click below to book online.

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loewshotels.com%2Fvanderbilt-hotel%2Fgroup-tsu-john-a-merritt-classic-block-2026&data=05%7C02%7Cdebbi.howard%40tnstate.edu%7C9c085fd728d24e183fdf08de7715d6e0%7C7c539505f12946aea6cfecaf413b8b0d%7C0%7C0%7C639079132851996151%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=S%2BTMcBL5HUZUIGEo1IWto2Z4SQOQZi%2FSp5lrYnyvVnY%3D&reserved=0

FIRSTBANK STADIUM TO HOST 2026 JOHN A. MERRITT CLASSIC

Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium when the teams meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic, presented by the Tennessee Titans and ONE Community, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Tennessee State 2026 single-game tickets, including the John A. Merritt Classic, will go on sale Monday, June 15, at 9 a.m. CT.

The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium due to NFL scheduling, which has the Tennessee Titans hosting the Chicago Bears in their preseason finale at Nissan Stadium that weekend. Vanderbilt University stepped forward to host the event, ensuring the John A. Merritt Classic could remain in Nashville. The Tennessee Titans will continue their longstanding support of the game as presenting sponsor alongside ONE Community.

"We are excited to bring the John A. Merritt Classic to FirstBank Stadium and honor Coach John Merritt's legacy at a venue where he enjoyed tremendous success, said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen.” “We appreciate the partnership of Vanderbilt University and the Tennessee Titans in helping make this special event possible for our student-athletes, alumni and fans."

The move returns Tennessee State to the venue where legendary coach John Merritt enjoyed tremendous success during one of the most dominant eras in program history.

“We are honored to partner with Tennessee State University to host the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic at FirstBank Stadium," Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Athletic Director Candice Lee said. "Coach Merritt led many memorable victories at Dudley Field, making it especially meaningful to welcome this game and TSU back to campus. We are proud to support an event that celebrates Coach Merritt's legacy and the rich tradition of HBCU football, and we look forward to welcoming Tennessee State and Jackson State fans for what promises to be a special evening."

Merritt posted a 14-4-1 record at Vanderbilt’s Dudley Field, including a 2-1 mark against Jackson State. His first game at the facility came on Oct. 23, 1965, when Tennessee State defeated Florida A&M, 50-8. Among the most memorable victories was a 20-3 triumph over top-ranked Florida A&M on Oct. 20, 1979.

Tennessee State has compiled a 23-15-1 record at Vanderbilt when playing opponents other than the Commodores. Under Merritt, the Tigers earned victories against Florida A&M (3-2), Middle Tennessee State (5-1), Grambling State (1-0-1), Southern (2-0) and Nicholls State (1-0) at the historic venue.

Tennessee State and Jackson State met three times at Dudley Field during Merritt’s tenure, with the Tigers posting a 2-1 record. Following a 35-24 setback in 1978, Tennessee State responded with consecutive shutout victories, defeating Jackson State 20-0 in 1980 and 21-0 in 1982.

The game also carries added significance given Merritt’s ties to both institutions. Before becoming the winningest coach in Tennessee State history, Merritt spent 11 seasons as head coach at Jackson State, where he posted a 63-37-5 record and led the Tigers to an Orange Blossom Classic victory during his final season in 1962.

The matchup renews a rivalry that has largely been played in Memphis in recent years. Each of the last 19 meetings between Tennessee State and Jackson State has been contested as part of the Southern Heritage Classic.

The Tigers hold a 30-23-2 advantage in the all-time series. The most recent meeting came in 2022, when Jackson State earned a 16-3 victory. The last matchup played in Nashville was Nov. 17, 2001, when Tennessee State defeated Jackson State, 64-33.

The 2026 contest will mark Tennessee State’s first game at Vanderbilt as the designated home team since Sept. 21, 1996, when the Tigers hosted Florida A&M.

Single-game parking will be available in Vanderbilt University’s 25th Avenue Garage through advance purchase and the West Garage on game day. Tailgating will not be permitted inside parking garages.

Additional details regarding tailgating, premium hospitality experiences and game-week festivities will be announced at a later date.

Tennessee State University appreciates the attention surrounding the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute Accelerated Pathway Program and is clarifying inaccurate information being shared online.

While we value the visibility, some details circulating on social media from external sources are incorrect.

The program is open to all qualified students, regardless of race or gender, with admission based on academic achievement (minimum 3.5 GPA and qualifying ACT/SAT scores).

Selected students receive full scholarship support at TSU (tuition, room, board, and fees), along with a pathway to partnering medical and dental schools.

Now in its 5th year, the institute has supported 20+ students on their journey to medical school. 🩺

2026–2027 applications are closed.

Please visit tnstate.edu/watkins for official information.

TSU Family,

It’s the John A.Merritt Classic! 🏈

Have you booked your accommodations in the host hotel for the return of the LARGEST rivalry in Tennessee State’s football history, TSU vs. JSU? Do so now before it’s too late!

Click on the link to make your reservations here:

https://www.loewshotels.com/vanderbilt-hotel/group-tsu-john-a-merritt-classic-block-2026