CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.?James “Fly” Williams, the greatest basketball player in Austin Peay State University history, finally will have his uniform jersey retired.
That was announced Saturday by the University's Athletic Committee and APSU President Tim Hall. In fact, President Hall called Williams with the news Saturday.
Williams' jersey tentatively is expected to be retired at halftime of APSU's Feb. 5 contest between the Governors and UT Martin, a game that will be broadcast by ESPNU.
Williams starred at Austin Peay in the 1972-73 and 1973-74 seasons, literally helping put the Governors basketball program on the map. He helped lead the Governors to a 22-7 record in 1972-73 and APSU's first-ever Division I NCAA tournament appearance that included a 77-75 win against Jacksonville and a controversial 106-100 overtime loss to Kentucky.
Williams averaged 29.5 points per game as a freshman, twice scoring a school-record 51 points along the way. His 29.5 average stood as the NCAA freshmen mark until Louisiana State's Chris Jackson broke the record in 1988-89, averaging 30.2 ppg. His single-season 854 points are the most in APSU history and second most in OVC annals.
Williams' flair not only helped pack Austin Peay's “Little Red Barn” but opposing arenas as well?he literally was a show unto himself. The 6-5 New York native brought his basketball and street smarts to Clarksville.
As a freshman, Williams, who finished fifth in the nation in scoring, was named to the National Association of Basketball Writers 1972-73 All-America team. He also was chosen Universal Sports Second-Team All-America and the Universal Sports Freshman of the Year. He was named honorable mention All-America by both United Press International (UPI) and Basketball Weekly.
As a sophomore, Williams averaged a team-best 27.5 points per game and 10.9 rebounds in leading APSU back to the NCAA tournament, a first-round loss to Notre Dame. In addition to being the OVC Player of the Year, Williams was named Citizen Savings Athletic Foundation All-America; Street & Smith's Basketball Yearbook All-America; Universal Sports First-Team All-America; Popular Sports Second-Team All-America; Converse Rubber Company Second-Team All-America and UPI Third-Team All-America.
But statistics and awards certainly don't even touch on his impact at Austin Peay. The Governors and Williams' presence during that era saw the basketball program out-grow The Little Red Barn and it resulted in the Dunn Center being built.
Williams' career at Austin Peay was blunted after the Ohio Valley Conference investigated entrance requirements of student-athletes at its member schools. In 1972-73 the OVC had accepted ACT (American College Test) test scores, not the required SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). It was determined by then-OVC Commissioner Art Guepe the OVC had misinterpreted the rule regarding entrance requirements. Williams was among several athletes who were declared ineligible.
As a result, Williams left Austin Peay. He could have transferred to another school but he already had been debating on whether to apply for hardship entry in the American Basketball Association (ABA) draft. He chose to go the professional basketball route and never finished college, which until now was the reason his uniform jersey was not retired.
In fact, in 1979 the Athletic Committee passed a recommendation to then-President Robert O. Riggs relative to jersey retirements. Those stipulations were:
1) The student-athlete must excel in his/her particular sport as recognized by some outstanding accomplishment
2) The student-athlete must graduate from APSU or from another college or university or be an exceptional case to qualify for retirement of jersey.
3) The student-athlete must be recommended to the Athletics Committee by the Athletics Director.
Williams was inducted into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1980-81. Williams' case for jersey retirement, however, was brought to the athletic committee by APSU Athletics Director Dave Loos for consideration. The current athletic committee, chaired by Dr. Bruce Myers, considered Williams situation to be an “exceptional case” as stipulated in No. 2. His jersey retirement was brought to discussion and a vote.
APSU's current athletic committee is comprised by the following: Myers, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Department Chair; Don Dailey, Biology, Department Chair; Loretta Griffy, Mathematics; Steve Hamilton, Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Director; Allyn Smith, Physics and Astronomy, Department Chair; Don Luck, School of Education; Michael Becraft, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Sue Fort, Assistant Director of Housing; Sheila Bryant, Director of Affirmative Action; Cheryl Holt, Senior Woman Administrator, Athletics (ex officio) and Dave Loos, Director of Athletics (ex officio).
More detailed information regarding the jersey retirement will be available at a later date.
-AP-
