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Murray State University

RFAA Donation
Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

RFAA Delivers Another Impactful Donation to MSU Football

5/2/2023 9:41:00 AM | Football

The RFAA continued their support in the way of a $100,000 donation to the Racers

The Murray State Football program received a $100,000 gift from the Racer Football Alumni Association (RFAA) including a $50,000 donation that was presented to Director of Athletics Nico Yantko and head coach Dean Hood at the Spring Game in Roy Stewart Stadium on Saturday, April 22.
 
Founded in 2018, the RFAA continues to have a positive impact on Racer Football in significant donations given by its membership.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for the continued commitment of the RFAA towards our student-athletes and coaches," Yantko said. "As a former player myself, I know how much this program means to those who have come through it, and this gift is a testament to the passion of our football alumni. We cannot thank the RFAA leadership enough for finding new avenues to show their support."
 
This generous contribution will help support numerous projects around the program, including enhancements to the team room, meeting spaces, recruiting lounge and offices in Roy Stewart Stadium that were announced in late April. More information on the exciting upgrades can be found here.
 
The 99th season of Murray State Football begins (Sept. 2) when the Racers host Presbyterian in the 2023 season opener. Murray State Family Weekend has the Racers facing Indiana State in their MVFC inaugural game (Sept. 30) and Southern Illinois visits (Oct. 14) on MSU Homecoming.
 
Season tickets are on-sale now for the 2023 season and can be purchased by visiting goracers.com/fbtix or calling the Murray State Athletics Ticket Office at (270) 809-3000. To renew your current season tickets, visit goracers.com/fbrenew. The renewal deadline is June 30, 2023.
 
What the RFAA is saying:

Flip Martin (MSU Football 1973-74)
"What a blessing it is to be able to give back to the Murray State Football program. All of us in the RFAA hold precious memories of our time when we were privileged to put that uniform on and play the game we love. I think of those times and it brings me to thoughts of our current student-athletes and the experience they are having right now as Racers. We encourage them to take advantage of his opportunity to play college football and run with it. We want their experience to be the best of days as they take the program into the Missouri Valley Conference this fall."
 
Roger Rushing (MSU Football 1974-78)
"Giving back to MSU Football is very personal for me. Murray State College gave my Dad an opportunity to be a Student Athlete and he graduated with an Agricultural degree in 1942. Murray State University gave me the same opportunity 32 years later as a Student Athlete and I graduated with a BSBA in 1979. Murray State has provided a step up to two generations of the Rushing family and we will be forever thankful. Go Racers!"
 
Cecil Wolberton (MSU Football 1975-79) 
"I thoroughly enjoyed my college days as a student-athlete at Murray State. Football taught me that I had to work hard to obtain my goals and tough love from my coaches helped build my character. I made lifelong friends and memories in my four years leading up to graduation. I am always thankful that Murray State gave me a great start to the rest of my life. This is what basically led to the formation of the RFAA and our membership growth. All of our football alumni are thankful to have played for Murray State and we sincerely want to pay it forward for our current student-athletes and those in the future. There is no place I'd rather be! Go Racers!"
 
Tony Boone (MSU Football 1976-80)
"Racer Football has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up watching the Racers and dreamed of playing for the team one day. I was privileged to receive a scholarship from Murray State and was able to not only fulfill my dream of playing college football, but also enjoyed an education that prepared me for life after football. Years later, my son was also fortunate enough to receive the same opportunity. Within Racer Football, we have formed friendships and memories unmatched in any other sport. All of us who have played at Murray have benefited in some way because of the generosity and support of those who preceded us. It is now our turn to help the young Racers of today and give them a better experience and opportunity to compete. So they can be successful on the field and in their careers after football. Being a member of RFAA is one way for us to ensure Racer Football continues to be successful. I implore our football alumni to get into the game again and do our part to support our beloved program. Once a Racer. Always a Racer."
 
Tony Ryan (MSU Football 2001-05)
"Racer Football had a very positive impact on my life. The five years I spent as a student-athlete brought me lifelong friendships and memories. But above all, it instilled the work ethic, discipline and self-confidence I needed to move forward into my professional career. Anything I can do to help give young men the same opportunities is exciting for me. The RFAA has one goal and that is to enhance the student-athlete experience for Racer Football players both on and off the field. Many before me made my experience possible and we want to do the same for current and future Racers! We need all Racers to get on board and give back when possible and it will make the mountaintop much more achievable. Go Racers!"