MTSU Crowns Esmurria III, Lott as Homecoming Royalty

Seniors Luis Esmurria III and Aviana Lott were named 2026 homecoming king and queen at halftime during Middle Tennessee State University's football game.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Romance

Screen-print poster illustration of a single gold crown resting on a rust cushion above a teal lawn, with a brick campus wall behind it in warm autumn light. — Middle Tennessee State University seniors Luis Esmurria III and Aviana Lott were crowned 2026 homecoming king and queen at halftime of the Nov. 7 football game in Murfreesboro. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Middle Tennessee State University crowned seniors Luis Esmurria III and Aviana Lott as the 2026 homecoming king and queen during halftime under the Floyd Stadium lights on November 7. Esmurria III campaigned by walking across campus wearing a box with QR codes on every side, while Lott ran a "Love Island" themed campaign.

Why it matters

The crowning recognizes two students who ran campaigns built around campus engagement and connection with peers. For Murfreesboro residents and the MTSU community, the event marks the close of a homecoming tradition centered on student leadership and campus involvement.

The crowning took place on November 7 at halftime at Floyd Stadium, the university's home football venue. The extraction does not include vote totals or the number of candidates who ran.

The players

Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU is a public university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that hosts the homecoming celebration and Floyd Stadium.

Luis Esmurria III

Esmurria III is a senior accounting student who ran for homecoming king to give back to the campus that provided him many opportunities.

Aviana Lott

Lott is a senior political science student and legislative intern who plans to pursue a career in law and public service after graduation.

The details

Esmurria III, an accounting major with a double minor in business administration and university honors, is president of Beta Alpha Psi and a Blue Elite tour guide. Lott, a political science major on the pre-law track with a minor in women and gender studies, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, NAACP, and Students Active for Feminism and Equality (SAFE).

October 2026: Month-long campaigning begins, including Lott's "Love Island" themed campaign debut.
November 7, 2026: Homecoming king and queen crowned at halftime.
December 2026: Esmurria III graduates.

Students and residents attending MTSU football games can expect homecoming traditions like halftime crownings to remain part of campus life. Campus engagement strategies such as QR-code campaigns and themed outreach show how student candidates connect with peers in person.

The takeaway

Campus elections like homecoming royalty races reward visible, personal outreach, as both winning candidates built their campaigns around walking campus and engaging students directly. Students interested in similar leadership roles can look to these examples of creative, community-centered campaigning.