Austin Peay State University Athletics

A native of Dickson County, Dr. Leon Bibb came to Austin Peay in 1952 as professor and chairman of Industrial Technology. He was named to the athletic committee in 1954 by then-president Halbert Harvill. In 1957, Dr. Bibb became faculty chairman of athletics, a position her served with distinction for 23 years until his retirement from the University in 1990. He was chiefly responsible for Austin Peay going NCAA affiliation in 1955 and Ohio Valley Conference membership in 1962. In fact, Dr. Bibb and other University officials were turned down by the OVC initially in 1956. But undaunted Bibb and other APSU representatives pressed on until finally gaining Austin Peay OVC admittance in 1962. But Dr. Bibb did much more...as athletic faculty chairman, he interpreted all NCAA an OVC rules and regulations, making sure all requirements were met. He made recommendations to the NCAA and OVC for rules and regulation changes. Dr. Bibb approved schedules for athletic events. He checked athlete eligibility lists—and made Austin Peay’s program one of the most respected in the mid-south. Dr. Bibb was also APSU’s voting delegate to NCAA conventions. Prior to 1976, the athletic committee he chaired primarily was responsible for the hiring and firing of football and basketball coaches. Dr. Bibb was the supervisor of capital projects under two APSU presidents. He consulted in the planning and construction of many athletic facilities, including the Winfield Dunn Center. He was chairman of the University student standing committee that reviewed probations, expulsions and readmission of all students, including student-athletes. A 1940 graduate of Middle Tennessee, Dr. Bibb played football for the Blue Raiders. Dr. Bibb received his M.S. degree from Iowa State University in 1947 and Ed.D degree from the University of Missouri in 1952. He also is a Navy veteran and taught industrial arts at East Tennessee prior to joining the Austin Peay staff. Married to the former Margaret Cox of Minor Hill, he had two sons, Dave and Jeff, both Austin Peay graduates.