Several changes in parking and traffic patterns on the Middle Tennessee State University campus are coming soon as MTSU again hosts the TSSAA Division 1 High School Basketball Tournaments on Wednesday-Saturday, March 11-14 (girls), and March 18-21 (boys) inside Murphy Center. 

MTSU Parking and Transportation Services reminds the campus and motorists in the area, particularly as students and faculty return from the March 9-14 spring break, to be aware of the factors affecting university roads and parking. With the expected increase in traffic, motorists are encouraged to allow for extra time to reach a destination.

• The Greenland Drive Lot will be reserved for TSSAA ticket holders. Students and faculty who use the Greenland Drive Lot are encouraged to find alternative parking around campus during this busy time. 

• The Middle Tennessee Lot/Woodfin Lot will be reserved for TSSAA ticket holders March 11-14 and Friday, March 20.

• MTSU’s East Main Street and Rutherford Boulevard entrances will be the most convenient campus entry points during the tournament. The arm gate on the east end of the Cope Administration Building will be in the up position during tournaments to allow access to Old Main Circle. 

• High school team buses will enter campus from Champion Way to Faulkinberry Drive. Faulkinberry Drive will be CLOSED to campus traffic from Middle Tennessee Boulevard to Champion Way. Normal Way will also be CLOSED to accommodate the parking of all team buses. No campus parking or road access will be available in these areas.

• The Raider Xpress Shuttle Service will run its normal schedule during TSSAA tournaments, except for the Green Route. The Green Route will not service the Greenland Drive Lot.

Parking and Transportation Services reserves the right to close any lot(s) when they become full.

With the expected increase in traffic, please allow for extra time to reach a destination. The traffic plan is designed to maximize the use of the perimeter lots and support Raider Xpress efficiency. 

All other events scheduled on campus during the tournaments will offer first-come, first-served parking in any of MTSU’s free lots, subject to availability. Visitors will need parking passes on class days.

Off-campus visitors may purchase a $4/day parking pass through the Parking and Transportation Services’ visitor parking permit form. A campus parking map is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUParking, and more information is available at parking.mtsu.edu.

For more information about MTSU traffic, parking and road closures, call the MTSU Parking and Transportation Services Office at 615-898-2850.

For more information about the TSSAA state tournaments, visit www.tssaa.org or call 615-889-6740.

The TSSAA Tournaments attract thousands of prospective students, their families, alumni, and other university supporters to campus for these high school events. The university appreciates your cooperation and assistance in making visitors feel welcomed on campus.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)