CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University kicked off the 2025-26 basketball season Thursday evening with its inaugural Tipoff at the Hangar event, held inside the Millan Aviation Hangar at the Clarksville Regional Airport. The evening brought together supporters, players and staff for a dinner and celebration.
The event began with a welcome from Interim Athletics Director Jordan Harmon, who thanked attendees, sponsors, and community leaders. Harmon spoke on the department’s excitement for the upcoming season and thanked APSU President Michael Licari and the Board of Trustees for their continued support.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced to the crowd, followed by remarks from Women’s Head Coach Brittany Young, Men’s Head Coach Corey Gipson, and special guest Coach Leonard Hamilton, who started his coaching career at Austin Peay before going on to lead programs like Florida State University.
Coaches on state of college sports, NIL
Coach Young talked about her team’s preparation for the season and the challenges of coaching in a constantly changing college sports environment. She praised her players’ dedication and said she’s confident they’ll represent both the university and the Clarksville community with pride.
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Coach Gipson spoke about the program’s strong connection to the community and shared how his players reach out to season ticket holders through calls and visits. He explained the importance of staying committed and showing good character in a time when college athletes have more opportunities to transfer schools and earn money from their name and image.
Later in the evening, a panel discussion with Coaches Hamilton, Young, and Gipson covered topics including how college athletics has evolved, particularly with the transfer portal and NIL policies. Hamilton, who has decades of coaching experience, talked about how college sports can shape students’ lives and why teaching and mentoring them off the court is just as important.
The event, with music by Jay Ammo and catering by North Meets South, encouraged supporters to see their contributions as investments in the players’ personal and academic growth, not just their success in sports.
Correction: Corey Gipson’s last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this report.
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