Biggest Racer fan in the world? We've got an app for that.

Rachel Foley, MSU


Biggest Racer fan in the world? We've got an app for that. | Murray State University, western Kentucky,

MURRAY, Ky. -- Hold your horses Murray State University Racer fans, a new app has been designed and it's free. "Racer Nation," a new app created by Racer athletics and the MSU Alumni Association is open to the public to download today. Unlike other schools with similar applications that target students only, this app is designed for alumni, fans, students and faculty alike.

The purpose of the app is essentially a rewards program for attending Murray State events. Students, alumni, faculty and community members attending Murray State programs can track the event and gain points for attending by checking in. As their points steadily climb, app users unlock award levels to redeem prizes.

There's also an incentive for Murray State Alumni Association members to download the app and check in to events. Alumni association members earn double points. Membership is open to all Racer fans and the application can be found by visiting raceralumni.com.

With an easy push of the button on their smartphone, Racer fans can be on their way to earning rewards. Upon downloading, users will be prompted to fill out a short profile. This helps the alumni association and athletics department know what demographics are attending the events and primarily using the app.

"It's a way for Murray State to say thank you for attending and to build a camaraderie and community," Rachel Foley, Racer to Racer coordinator for alumni affairs said. "Social media is a big part of people's lives, we just wanted to find a way to give something back to Racer fans."

Increasing attendance and saying thanks are two major reasons athletics teamed up with the alumni association to create the app. Not only can users access the event schedules, they can also directly add events to their phone's calendars and set up notifications and reminders.

The app calendar includes a variety of Murray State events, including sports events (home and away), CFSB events and presidential lectures. Not only will the events calendar include on-campus activities, it also includes official watch parties hosted by Racer fans across America. Each event states how many points the events' are worth.

App users can also see what other users have "checked in" and who they might run into at the events. In addition to checking in, users can upload photos to the fan cam and share their Racer pride. There is also a button to access the official online store of the Murray State Racers.

If users can't attend an event, the app offers a link to live streaming straight to users' phones. Now Racers across America can listen or watch live stream and stay up to date with Murray State thanks to the convenience of their smartphone.

At the end of the year, the top Racer fans will receive a prize.