By: Niesha Campbell, Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer & SWA
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Guided by the 'Total Gov Concept,' Austin Peay State University Athletics made community service a defining focus of the 2024-25 academic year, demonstrating its commitment to compassion, leadership, and meaningful engagement. This commitment empowered more than 330 student-athletes, supported by over 100 coaches, staff, and administrators, to go beyond the field and court to serve as active citizens throughout Clarksville and the surrounding region.
The year launched with PEAYple in the Community Day of Service, Aug. 25, a unifying campus-wide effort that engaged all 16 Govs teams. In just one day, 331 student-athletes and 100-plus staff contributed over 750 hours of service, supporting local nonprofits, schools, and organizations. This powerful kickoff set the tone for a year defined by giving back.
One of the most impactful department-wide efforts was the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee-led canned food drive, which gathered and distributed more than 10,200 cans to local organizations, including Grace Assistance, the APSU Campus Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes, and the Old Firehouse Day Shelter.
Austin Peay also strengthened its longstanding partnership with Liberty Elementary, a Title I school in Clarksville. Through this collaboration, APSU Athletics provided more than $4,000 in financial and in-kind support – contributing to student incentive programs, staff appreciation events, Read Across America Day, and TCAP exam snacks.
In January, APSU Athletics helped lead Clarksville Feeds the World – a massive community meal-packing event in partnership with LifePoint Church, U.S. Hunger, and Convoy of Hope. Held inside the Winfield Dunn Center, the event saw 3,300 volunteers pack 500,288 meals, with more than 300 APSU student-athletes, coaches, and staff playing a key role.
Throughout the year, Govs gave their time to serve alongside local partners, including YAIPak Outreach, Urban Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Buddy Ball, and several elementary schools. Weekly and monthly volunteer efforts contributed to 8,361.5 total hours of community service. Ten teams – softball, men's cross country, women's golf, men's basketball, baseball, women's cross country and track & field, women's basketball, soccer, and women's tennis – averaged more than 25 hours of service per student-athlete, with softball leading the way, averaging an outstanding 40.4 hours per athlete.
Being a Gov means more than competing – it means showing up for your community," said APSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison. "Through the 'Total Gov Concept,' we challenge our student-athletes to lead with heart, on and off the field. As Clarksville's Hometown Team, it's our privilege and responsibility to give back to the place that supports us so passionately."
Austin Peay Athletics is proud to represent Clarksville not only in competition but also through meaningful, ongoing service. This year's efforts have laid the foundation for a lasting culture of civic engagement, leadership, and community connection.
