»Philip Sparn
News Editor
Three new members were inducted into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the 36th annual induction. Baseball coach Gary McClure, APSU team physician Dr. W. Cooper Beazley and former basketball player Andrew Lorentzson were honored for their contributions to APSU athletics.
The new inductees were honored at a breakfast ceremony with their families and many members of the APSU community. The newest members of the Hall of Fame were also recognized at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Belmont Saturday, Feb. 9.
Current Govs baseball coach, Gary McClure was inducted into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame after coaching the Govs baseball team for the last 25 years. McClure was named the interim head baseball coach in 1987, while he was still attending graduate school at APSU. Since then, the five-time OVC coach of the year has won seven regular season OVC championships and won five OVC tournament titles. McClure has also coached 29 APSU baseball players that have gone on to play professional baseball.
“I am extremely grateful for APSU and the opportunities that APSU has given to me,” McClure said. “I want to thank all the people behind the scenes, who have done the work and make things happen. They embody what APSU stands for.”
Dr. Cooper Beazley was inducted into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame for his devotion and contributions to the APSU athletics program. Over the last 26 years, Beazley has served as APSU’s team physician and has donated countless dollars and hours to the athletics department and athletic training room. Beazley has also performed numerous surgeries on APSU athletes over the years.
“I have had a lot of good experiences here at APSU and I have met a lot of great characters along the way, especially those on the athletic training staff,” Beazley said. “I am very grateful to help such a great program … I have also learned to hate Murray State more than anything alive, I hate those sons of bitches.”
Former APSU basketball player, Andrew Lorentzon was also inducted into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame, as a part of the honors program, which specifically commemorates members that contributed to APSU athletics, over 50 years ago.
Lorentzon played basketball at then Austin Peay Normal from 1936-1938. Lorentzon scored a then school record of 288 points in his first season at Austin Peay Normal. Lorenzton also helped Austin Peay Normal School win its first basketball championship. Lorentzon later joined the U.S. NAVY where he served as a commander at Normandy Beach on D-Day during World War II.
President Tim Hall spoke at the Hall of Fame breakfast and honored the inductees.
“Our campus has been made famous by the contributions of the people we are honoring today,” Hall said. “We know that the accomplishments of these inductees are not simply a beacon from the past that show how great it was, but they also show us how great it can be and how we can aspire to be more.”
Athletic director and men’s basketball coach also proudly thanked the 101st, 102nd and 103rd members of the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
