CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison announced today he will stick with APSU, following previous announcements that he was a finalist for the AD role at the University of Toledo.
“It’s a great day to be a Gov, and Lisa, Torri, Lorri and I are excited to remain residents of Stacheville,” Harrison said in a news release late Monday from APSU. “I want to thank Dr. Licari for his unyielding support during this process and thank our coaches, staff and student-athletes for their patience. The excitement around our athletics department is high and I look forward to working with our campus and the Clarksville community to keep it going as we continue to ‘Level Up.’”
Harrison was one of three finalists to replace former AD Mike O’Brien, according to reports in The Toledo Blade. Each of the finalists visited the campus recently, and UT is expected to announce its selection this week. The other two candidates are Washington State deputy AD Bryan Blair, and Tom Moreland, Purdue’s senior associate AD for strategic initiatives and the athletic department’s chief revenue officer, The Blade reported.
Harrison, the only sitting AD in the group, has been with Austin Peay since 2018.
“I am thrilled that Gerald remains a Gov!” APSU President Mike Licari said in the release. “His strong and innovative leadership is what is needed to continue moving Austin Peay athletics forward. He is an important member of the Senior Leadership Team, and I am excited that he will continue to contribute to making the entire university better.”