Hall of Fame
Joanne Arnold-Tribune often is called the greatest female athlete in Austin Peay history. It’s understandable. She truly was an outstanding performer in both track and basketball during her four seasons, 1978-82. In track, Arnold-Tribune was named Ohio Valley Conference’s Track Woman of the Year as a freshman and again as a senior. The Antioch native was a two-time AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) All-American and was a three-time All-OVC choice. As a basketball player, she played in 111 career games and was one of the OVC’s top rebounding and shot-blocking centers despite standing just 5 feet 8 inches. She scored 676 points, grabbed 836 rebounds and recorded 143 blocked shots during four seasons. Her athletic prowess was such that she was named the first female recipient of the Joy Award (1982), symbolic of Austin Peay’s outstanding senior athletic. Arnold-Tribune received her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1983 and her master’s the following year from APSU. She began her coaching career in 1983-84 as assistant basketball, head freshman basketball and head track coach at Shelbyville Central. After two seasons, Arnold-Tribune became basketball coach at Neely’s Bend Middle School in Nashville.
