Austin Peay State University Athletics

Basketball
Inducted 1989-90

R.D. (Country) Ward was considered one of the greatest Govs’ athletes during its Austin State Normal years. He played basketball (1939-41) and baseball (1939-40) while also serving as football equipment manager and assistant trainer during his two years. But it was basketball where he achieved his greatest reputation. A two-season starting forward, Ward was a key member of Austin Peay’s only unbeaten (19-0) team in 1939-40. In fact, during his two years under Fred T. Brown, the Governors compiled a 36-5 record. During the unbeaten season, Ward established a then school record a then school scoring- average mark of 13.7 points per game for a team that averaged 53.5. He also led the team in scoring the following year. World War II forced him to pass up a scholarship to Vanderbilt. In fact, Ward worked at the local B.F. Goodrich plant as production and warehouse supervisor until the war ended. During the 1944-45 basketball season, he worked as a volunteer assistant to Austin Peay coach Bee Lowe. After the war, Ward moved to Tampa, Florida, to begin work for the Southern Bakeries as a salesman. He advanced to plant manager, the position in which he retired from 1978.