CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? When the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) 16-and-under basketball tournament opens this week, a new look will greet those participants in Austin Peay State University's Dunn Center.

In the middle of the floor, a large Austin Peay logo literally jumps off the court, the A on one side of the midcourt line and the P on the other, both facing the west side seats. The Ohio Valley Conference logos have been placed just inside the free throw circles on both ends of the floor. The rest of the free-throw lane, normally known as the “paint” is clear while the area outside the free-throw line to the women's three point line is now red.

And the playing surface has a new name...Dave Loos Court. When Loos passed Dave Aaron as Austin Peay's all-time basketball wins leader, Dr. Sherry Hoppe was seeking a way to honor the OVC's dean of coaches. She talked to several University supporters, and with the basketball floor on schedule to be resurfaced, an idea was born.

"As we began preparations to refinish the floor we decided to put coach Aaron's name on the floor in the midcourt area,” Hoppe said. “At the same time, we talked about how we needed in some way to recognize coach Loos' achievements to the university and athletic programs. It was almost a no brainer and a most appropriate way to name it the Dave Loos Court.

"We talked to a number of individuals and they all supported the idea and the decision to do it. Coach Loos knew nothing about those discussions. He really only found out when I submitted the new floor for him for approval and he was very reluctant to accept it.”

Loos' signature now sits above the word court in dark letters at the coaching box line, an area he has patrolled with not only great distinction but with tremendous integrity as well over the past 17 years. It also adorns the floor in front of the student seating area on the arena's west side. 

The decision to name the court in his honor overwhelmed Loos.

"I was very surprised," Loos said. "I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm totally worthy of something like this, but I'm extremely appreciative. I've said on a number of occasions that it's really an honor and privilege to serve and coach at Austin Peay."

Loos became Austin Peay's all-time winningest coach on Jan. 13 in a 68-67 decision against Southeast Missouri. Earlier this summer, Loos, who already is a member of the Memphis Athletics Hall of Fame (M-Club) and St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Loos will enter 2007-08 with 271 APSU victories and 353 total college basketball head-coaching wins to his credit.

-AP-