Who Was Austin Peay?
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Governor Austin Peay
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He was Tennessee Governor Austin Peay… a favorite son of Clarksville. Gov. Peay signed a law establishing Austin Peay Normal School April 26, 1927. However, he passed away before the school could hold its first classes and the Tennessee State Legislature named the new school is his honor. Classes began at Austin Peay on Sept. 24, 1929. Although Austin Peay State University has an 80-year history, institutions of higher learning have occupied the campus since 1806.
History of Intercollegiate Athletics at Austin Peay
Austin Peay, then known as Austin Peay Normal School, began intercollegiate athletics months after classes began in 1929 when men and women’s basketball teams were formed. The University added football in 1930 and baseball in 1931. Tennis (1935), golf (1948) track and field (1954) and cross country (1964) were added as intercollegiate teams through the years. The women’s basketball program ceased in 1938 but returned to action with the expansion of women’s athletics in 1973 when it was joined by volleyball, tennis basketball and golf.
Origin of Governors
An obvious reference to Governor Austin Peay, the university’s teams have not always been known by that moniker. In the first years of intercollegiate competition, Austin Peay’s athletic teams were often called “Nomalites” or “Warriors.” The present “Governors” tag surfaced around 1937, likely as a tribute to Governor Austin Peay.1
Alma Mater: “All Hail to Austin Peay”
At the conclusion of each home game, Austin Peay athletes retreat to the area of the field closest to the student section where they join the band and student body in singing the alma mater. “All Hail to Austin Peay” was written by Dr. Aaron Schmidt in 1963 and has been the university’s alma mater since.
All Hail To Austin Peay
All Hail our Alma Mater,
All Hail to Austin Peay,
Forever faithful to thy standards will we ever be,
We love thy campus beauty, serene in dignity,
And so we proudly sing this song in praise of thee,
All Hail, All Hail,
We sing in praise of thee,
We love our Alma Mater,
All Hail to Austin Peay.
Fight Song
Dr. Aaron Schmidt also is responsible for the Austin Peay Fight Song, popularly given the title “Smash Bang” due to the start of the tune.
Smash! Bang! To Victory
Go the Governors of Austin Peay
Clash! Clang! It's Misery
For the minions of the Enemy
Fight On and
Smash! Bang! to Score Again
For It's Ready, Set, 1, 2, 3!
Smash Bang! Biff Bam! Clash Clang! Rim Ram!
Dash Along to Victory!
Let's Go Peay!
Let’s Go Peay!™
Back in the 1970’s a basketball player from New York City appeared at Austin Peay and quickly became a national star. In the rise to stardom, James “Fly” Williams also helped make Austin Peay’s cheer famous. During his time at Austin Peay the cheer was appropriately “The Fly is open, Let’s Go Peay!” Since then fans in arenas and stadiums nationwide can expect the Governors faithful to chant “Let’s Go Peay!” whenever their team needs an extra boost.
The Sporting News once listed Austin Peay's cheer beside Kansas’ “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” chant as one of the best cheers in college basketball.
Let’s Go Peay! Seriously. It’s our cheer.
Austin Peay-Murray State Rivalry
The opening statement of ESPN The Magazine’s 2009 College Basketball Preview put in bold lettering the way many Austin Peay and Murray State fans feel about their annual rivalry… particularly the one played on the hard wood of a basketball court. Simply put, it said “Forget Duke-UNC, the real rivalry is Austin Peay-Murray State.”
The Governors and Racers have met annually in men’s basketball competition since 1941-42. The rivalry has grown in ferocity as the two teams have perennially been contenders for the Ohio Valley Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. During a 24-year stretch from 1987 to 2010, either Austin Peay or Murray State reached the OVC Tournament’s championship game, combining to win 15 of those championship contests. Austin Peay and Murray State have met in the OVC Tournament 14 times since 1976, with the Racers holding a slight 8-6 edge in those outings, six of those meetings were semifinal matchups and five others were for the title.
1 – Charles M. Waters, The First Fifty Years of Austin Peay State University (1977), 35
