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The official Collective of the
MTSU Blue Raiders

The official Collective of the MTSU Blue Raiders

mt logo

About Us

What We do

CONNECT, EMPOWER, AND EMBRACE
STUDENT-ATHLETES IN ALL SPORTS

The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era in collegiate athletics offers student-athletes opportunities to benefit financially from their personal brands while maintaining their status as amateur competitors. At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Raiders Rising is the Collective NIL for student-athletes. Our aim is to elevate MTSU’s athletic department to new heights by attracting top talent to its robust athletic programs that thrive on excellence. We connect MTSU’s student-athletes with a wealth of opportunities to earn compensation while furthering their professional and personal development. We empower MTSU student-athletes to gain real-world opportunities through career development, monetize their personal brands, and attract sponsorships. We embrace the power of NIL to allow MTSU student-athletes to focus on representing their school at the highest level of college athletics and their education without worrying about additional expenses.

Our Team

John Cipriano

John Cipriano is an accomplished executive offering more than 25 years management experience within financial institutions. His core competencies include developing target operating models, capital markets, operational improvements, risk mitigation, development of policies and procedures, c&i lending, residential credit analysis, portfolio management, enhancing sales, and profit and loss responsibilities for banks and non-banks. He brings a tangible skill set that can be leveraged by start-up organizations, growing and mature companies. Most recently John has led successful engagements as an independent consultant, working with a top 4 residential mortgage servicer, putting together a warehouse lending platform together for a community wholesale savings bank, working as the lead consultant for a foreclosure review consent order project at a major money center bank, leading a team of 60 consultants working within the wholesale bank of a major money center bank to comply with the Flood Disaster Protection Act, restructuring a p/e owned residential mortgage banker, implementing a comprehensive private label credit card program for a regional dental practice, , providing lead support for the acquisition of a publicly traded reverse mortgage servicer from bankruptcy by a PE firm, overseeing state and federal exams for a top 5 servicer / bank, assisting financial institutions with process improvements, developing and assisting in remediation efforts, and to prepare for regulatory exams. Cipriano currently serves on the board of directors for the Blue Raiders Athletic Association, Middle Tennessee State University ‘s Foundation Board, & the Raiders Rising NIL Collective. He is also a board member for 3 different private companies. Mr. Cipriano earned a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition, he is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on Financial Institution Risks, Commercial Loan Credit Reviews, Consumer Mortgage Finance Compliance, and Operational Improvements.

Brian Kidd

Brian F. Kidd is Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of National Healthcare Corporation. Brian joined the Company in 2008 and his responsibilities at NHC include overseeing all aspects of the Company’s overall financial management. These duties include all aspects of internal and external financial reporting, treasury and cash management operations, healthcare reimbursement compliance, income and indirect tax compliance, as well as Sarbanes-Oxley requirements. He is active in the community and currently serves on the boards of the Middle Tennessee State University Foundation Board of Trustees, Middle Tennessee State University Accounting Advisory Board, Murfreesboro Water Resources Board, First National Bank of Middle Tennessee, Providence Christian Academy Board of Trustees, and the One Hundred Club of Rutherford County, Inc. Prior to joining NHC, Mr. Kidd was in public accounting for 10 years. Mr. Kidd is a Certified Public Accountant and received his B.S. in Accounting from Middle Tennessee State University in 1998.

Jonathon McGuire

Jonathon McGuire is President and CEO of McGuire Management Group, a management company with interest in real estate, transportation, facilities maintenance, and restaurant management. McGuire Restaurant Group, the largest portfolio in the umbrella, franchises McDonald's restaurants in Middle Tennessee including all Murfreesboro and Antioch McDonald's locations. Prior to his current role, McGuire had a long and successful career in information technology as a software developer, data analyst, network administrator, and Chief Information Officer in retail, music, and financial industries. Jonathon McGuire lives near Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Vickie. They are very proud parents of one son, two daughters, and one son-in-law. They are also the proud grandparents of one granddaughter. The McGuires are devout Christians and enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and supporting various charities.

Jeff Murphy

Jeff Murphy is the owner of Domenico’s Italian Deli, a beloved eatery in Murfreesboro, TN, known for its authentic Italian sandwiches, fresh ingredients, and welcoming atmosphere. Since opening in 2020, Domenico’s has become a staple in the community, offering a taste of the family tradition through product and service. In addition to running his business, Jeff is the co-host of "The Group of Five Guys" podcast, a show dedicated to covering college football’s Group of Five conferences — AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW, and SBC. The podcast provides in-depth analysis, expert discussions and a platform to spotlight programs and athletes often overlooked by mainstream media. They have traveled the country to different Universities gathering insight and giving a behind the scenes view on these great football programs. Jeff is married to Scarlett Murphy, and together they have three children — Dominic, Nico, and Luciano. Family is at the core of Jeff’s life, and he takes pride in being an active part of his children’s education and extracurricular activities. A former MTSU quarterback from 2010 to 2012, Jeff played for the Blue Raiders, bringing leadership and competitiveness to the field. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, setting the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. Jeff also serves as a board member for Main Street Murfreesboro, an organization dedicated to maintaining, enhancing, and promoting the historic downtown area as the heart of the Murfreesboro community. His involvement reflects his commitment to supporting local businesses, preserving history, and fostering economic growth in the area. In Jeff’s role with Raiders Rising, he is dedicated to providing opportunities for student-athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness while strengthening the connection between MTSU athletics, the community, and local businesses.

Memberships

NOTE: Raiders Rising contributions and/or memberships do not generally qualify as a tax-deductible contribution due to benefits received. Please consult your tax advisor.

Silver Membership Logo
$1,000

Silver Membership

  • RAIDERS RISING WELCOME MEMBERSHIP APPAREL
  •  DISCOUNTED PRICE TO RAIDERS RISING EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
  • OPPORTUNITY FOR EXCLUSIVE APPAREL AND MEMORABILIA GIVEAWAYS
  • TWO TICKETS TO RAIDERS RISING COLLECTIVE ANNUAL PARTY
Become A Silver Member
$5,000

Gold Membership

  • ALL SILVER LEVEL PERKS
  • TWO ADDITIONAL TICKETS TO RAIDERS RISING COLLECTIVE ANNUAL PARTY(4 TOTAL)
  • PERSONAL NAME OR BUSINESS LOGO/WEBSITE LINK ON RR WEBSITE PARTNERS PAGE
  • 1 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING POST PER MONTH FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM RR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT, RESHARED BY RR ATHLETES
Become A Gold Member
$15,000

Platinum Membership

  • ALL SILVER AND GOLD LEVEL PERKS
  • WEBSITE LINK, LOGO AND BUSINESS BIO ON RR WEBSITE PARTNERS PAGE
  • ATHLETES AT YOUR EVENT (MUST BE APPROVED BY RR) UP TO 2 EVENTS PER YEAR
  • LIVE GROUP ZOOM MEETING WITH A COACH AND/OR ATHLETES (1 SESSION PER YEAR) (ZOOM MEETING WILL BE SET UP AND COORDINATED BY RR)
Become A Platinum Member

General Contributions

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FAQ

RAIDERS RISING

NIL COLLECTIVE

Raiders Rising is the official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

Raiders Rising serves as the official collective supporting NIL activities for MTSU student-athletes. It facilitates opportunities for these student athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness through various commercial endeavors while adhering to NCAA guidelines.

Through Raiders Rising, MTSU student-athletes can engage in lucrative opportunities like endorsements, personal appearances, and social media promotions, providing them financial benefits beyond traditional athletic scholarships and department funding.

Yes, supporters and fans can contribute to Raiders Rising. These contributions help in creating and managing NIL opportunities for MTSU student-athletes and are separate from direct athletic department donations.

No, Raiders Rising and NIL activities complement but do not replace traditional athletic funding. Donations to the athletic department are still vital for scholarships, facilities, and overall program enhancement for MTSU student-athletes.

Raiders Rising operates in compliance with NCAA guidelines and state laws. It ensures that NIL deals are structured legally and ethically, maintaining the eligibility and integrity of MTSU student-athletes within NCAA rules.

MEMBERSHIPS

Yes. Raiders Rising provides membership options for all MTSU alumni and fans, to join at a level that works for them. Each membership tier provides benefits.

If you have any questions about your membership, please contact
our membership fulfillment team at [email protected].

No, contributions of this nature are not tax deductible.

When you become a member of Raiders Rising, you will be prompted to designate which sport you would like to support with your contribution.

Become A Member

GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Yes! You can make a general contribution of any amount to the collective here. Please note that contributions of this nature are not tax deductible.

General contributions to Raiders Rising are used to compensate MTSU student-athletes and create impactful Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities that help them succeed in and out of their chosen sport.

No, contributions of this nature are not tax deductible.

When you contribute to Raiders Rising, you will be prompted to designate which sport you would like to support.

Becoming a member of Raiders Rising unlocks a number of benefits including sponsor mention on our website, some free swag throughout the year, and access to Raiders Rising exclusive events. These are considered “member-only” benefits.

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