OVCExtra Podcast

OVC Hall of Famer Dave Loos, former Austin Peay coach, is the winningest men's basketball coach in OVC history. Loos, a four-time OVC Coach of the Year, was the Govs head coach from 1990 through 2017 and finished his career with 421 victories, including 257 in league play. Overall he won 502 games as a college head coach. Loos also served as the APSU Director of Athletics from 1997 through 2013. He was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2018.

This is part two of the conversation with Ron English, who was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2011, is a former OVC associate commissioner who now serves as the Director of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. Ron served the OVC for 15 years (1992-2007) and at one time he was the longest tenured staff member in OVC history. He held virtually every job in the office including working with tournament operations, scheduling for men's and women's team sports, finances, marketing and media relations, in addition to becoming the league's first-ever compliance officer, a brief tenure as the OVC's supervisor of men's basketball officials, and serving as interim commissioner. To hear part one, check out Episode No. 47.

Ron English, who was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2011, is a former OVC associate commissioner who now serves as the Director of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. Ron served the OVC for 15 years (1992-2007) and at one time he was the longest tenured staff member in OVC history. He held virtually every job in the office including working with tournament operations, scheduling for men's and women's team sports, finances, marketing and media relations, in addition to becoming the league's first-ever compliance officer, a brief tenure as the OVC's supervisor of men's basketball officials, and serving as interim commissioner.  

Jerry Carpenter has been associated with UT Martin for nearly 60 years, first as a student, then manager of the campus bookstore, then later then head men's golf coach and now in retirement, volunteer assistant golf coach. He has also worked on the football chain gang and basketball table crew, in addition to officiating football and basketball games at both the high school and collegiate levels. As UTM golf coach, he was named OVC Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016 and led the Skyhawks to its first OVC Golf Championship in 2016. The Skyhawks have since won two other titles, with him in the volunteer role.

Dr. Jon Steinbrecher served as the Commissioner of the OVC from 2003-09 before moving to the Mid-American Conference. At the OVC he negotiated a television deal that included putting the first basketball games on ESPNU (the first league to do so), helped the OVC secure the hosting rights to the 2014 Women's Final Four and put an emphasis on sportsmanship. He also served nine years (1994-2003) as the commissioner of the Mid-Continent Conference (the Summit League), making him the only person to serve as commissioner in all three NCAA Division I Subdivisions (FBS, FCS, DI). Steinbrecher was a former two sport student-athlete at Valparaiso University.  

Van is in her 35th year as head volleyball coach at Little Rock and has won more than 600 career matches, which ranks 15th nationally among Division I head coaches. She also spent two years as the women's basketball coach for the Trojans. Prior to Little Rock joining the OVC, she led the Trojans to four regular season Sun Belt Conference championships, five tournament championships, six postseason appearances and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including advancing to the Second Round in 2014. That 2014 team finished the year 30-5 and upset No. 16 national seed Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Those accolades earned her the title "Queen of the Sun Belt." The 2022 season marks the first for Little Rock as members of the OVC.

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dan Beebe; check out episode 42 to hear the first part of the podcast. Beebe served as OVC Commissioner from 1989-2003 before moving on to the Big 12 Conference. During his time at the OVC, Beebe served as chair for the I-AA Governance Committee and as a member on the NCAA Division I Management Council. He also helped negotiate a multi-year television deal and moved the OVC Basketball Championships to a neutral site. Beebe began his career in intercollegiate athletics working as an enforcement representative for the NCAA. After a stint at Wichita State, he returned to the NCAA as Director of Enforcement before coming to the OVC. In February 2003 he was hired as senior associate commissioner and chief operating officer for the Big 12 Conference; in September 2007 he was promoted to the position of Big 12 Commissioner. Beebe now works as a consultant, founding the Dan Beebe Group in 2011.  

Dan Beebe served as OVC Commissioner from 1989-2003 before moving on to the Big 12 Conference. During his time at the OVC, Beebe served as chair for the I-AA Governance Committee and as a member on the NCAA Division I Management Council. He also helped negotiate a multi-year television deal and moved the OVC Basketball Championships to a neutral site. Beebe began his career in intercollegiate athletics working as an enforcement representative for the NCAA. After a stint at Wichita State, he returned to the NCAA as Director of Enforcement before coming to the OVC. In February 2003 he was hired as senior associate commissioner and chief operating officer for the Big 12 Conference; in September 2007 he was promoted to the position of Big 12 Commissioner. Beebe now works as a consultant, founding the Dan Beebe Group in 2011. This is Part 1 our our conversation; Part 2 will be released later this month.  

Cindy Gannon, the former Southeast Missouri volleyball coach and administrator, became the 93rd member of the OVC Hall of Fame in June 2022. She served Southeast Missouri for over 30 years, including 16 seasons as head volleyball coach (1989-2004) and additional 14 years as the department's Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator (2005-18). As the program's volleyball coach, she accumulated 366 victories (the most in program history) and her teams won eight OVC regular-season titles, five OVC Tournament crowns and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments. Gannon transitioned from coaching to administration in 2005 and served two stints as the Redhawks Interim Director of Athletics. She also developed the idea of the SEMO's Walk for Women, which is now known as the Cindy Gannon Walk for Women, as well as the "Dig For Life" campaign, which continues on as "Pink Up" over 20 years later.

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Jim Delany; check out episode 39 for the first part. Jim Delany served as OVC Commissioner from 1979-89 before taking over as Commissioner at the Big Ten, where he served 31 years until his retirement in 2020. During his time at the OVC he saw National Championships in football, track and field and rifle, and several high-profile men's basketball NCAA Tournament victories. He helped the OVC gain national exposure with basketball games played late at night (FNL) so they could be featured on television (he also innovated with TV when he launched the ground-breaking Big Ten Network later in his career).  

Jim Delany served as OVC Commissioner from 1979-89 before taking over as Commissioner at the Big Ten, where he served 31 years until his retirement in 2020. During his time at the OVC he saw National Championships in football, track and field and rifle, and several high-profile men's basketball NCAA Tournament victories. He helped the OVC gain national exposure with basketball games played late at night (FNL) so they could be featured on television (he also innovated with TV when he launched the ground-breaking Big Ten Network later in his career). This is Part 1 of our conversation; Part 2 will be released later in the month.

Eastern Illinois distance runners Dustin Hatfield and Lindsey Carlson were named the OVC Male and Female Athletes of the Year for 2021-22. In the fall each was named OVC Cross Country Athlete of the Year and won their respective races at the OVC Championship. Dustin went on to be named OVC Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and won multiple events at both Championships, while Lindsey scored at the Indoor meet and once fully healthy, won a pair of events at the OVC Outdoor Championships. Both qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Preliminaries. The duo, who have also been dating for the past several years, became only the second set of teammates to sweep the OVC Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards in the same season.

Takeem Young, a football student-athlete at UT Martin and one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their

Takeem Young, a football student-athlete at UT Martin and one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities. This past year Young helped the Skyhawks football team to its first OVC Championship and FCS Playoff appearance since 2006. He tallied 44 tackles and had an interception during the season, as UTM topped Missouri State in the First Round of the Playoffs before falling to eventual national runner-up Montana State. In the classroom he gradudated with a degree in exercise science and wellness and is now working on a Master's degree. He is a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and volunteered with Special Olympics and Shape Club in addition to helping with voter registration on campus and collecting food items for Captain's Pantry.

Genee McRath is in her first year as head softball coach at Tennessee State. McRath played collegiate softball at Ole Miss and coached at several high schools and worked in private instruction before jumping to the collegiate level. In Fall 2019 she joined the TSU staff as an assistant coach,

Genee McRath is in her first year as head softball coach at Tennessee State. McRath played collegiate softball at Ole Miss and coached at several high schools and worked in private instruction before jumping to the collegiate level. In Fall 2019 she joined the TSU staff as an assistant coach, before being named head coach this year.

Megan Burton is a softball student-athlete at Eastern Illinois. In November she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women

Megan Burton is a softball student-athlete at Eastern Illinois. In November she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities. A team captain, the shortstop was named the 2021 OVC Player of the Year and a NFCA All-Mideast Region selection. During her career she has established school single-season records for home runs and slugging and ranks in the Top 10 in a career in home runs, doubles, runs and stolen bases. She completed her undergraduate degree in teacher education with a 3.94 grade point average and is currently working on her master's degree. She has earned three OVC Academic Medal of Honor awards during her academic career, been named to the EIU's Dean's List and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection a year ago.

Amber Schifano is a rifle student-athlete at Morehead State. In November she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women

Amber Schifano is a rifle student-athlete at Morehead State. In November she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities. Schifano is in her fourth year with the Morehead State rifle team, serving as a team captain and helping the Eagles to the 2020 OVC Championship. A year ago she was named first-team All-OVC in Air Rifle, placing fifth at the OVC Championship.  In the classroom she has a 3.92 grade point average in biomedical science/pre-med. Schifano has earned multiple selections to the MSU Dean's List, the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Collegiate Rifle Association Scholastic All-American Team and been awarded the George M. Luckey Scholarship and the MSU Honors Program.

Riley Baker is a track & field athlete at Eastern Illinois. In November he was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women

Riley Baker is a track & field athlete at Eastern Illinois. In November he was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete Award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities. Riley is currently a redshirt junior and been a member of three Panther Championship squads (2019 Outdoor, 2020 Indoor, 2021 Outdoor) and earned a quartet of All-OVC honors, including first-team All-OVC in outdoor 400 meter hurdles and the outdoor 4x400 relay in 2021. In the classroom he has a 3.9 grade point average in teacher education and earned the OVC Academic Medal of Honor. Baker has also volunteered at numerous events around campus and in the Charleston community.

George Lee is the Director of Athletics at Little Rock. On December 16, it was officially announced that Little Rock would be joining the Ohio Valley Conference on July 1, 2023. Lee, who is an alum of the school, has served as the Trojans Director of Athletics since November 2019 and prior to that

George Lee is the Director of Athletics at Little Rock. On December 16, it was officially announced that Little Rock would be joining the Ohio Valley Conference on July 1, 2023. Lee, who is an alum of the school, has served as the Trojans Director of Athletics since November 2019 and prior to that spent over two decades overseeing the business and financial operations of the department. During his tenure, he has viewed first hand over three dozen championship programs and numerous all-conference performances, including over a dozen team and individual NCAA tournament appearances. He will know lead the athletics department into the OVC.

Conley Chinn is a senior forward on the Belmont women's basketball team. In November 2021 she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men

Conley Chinn is a senior forward on the Belmont women's basketball team. In November 2021 she was announced as one of six winners of the prestigious OVC Scholar Athlete award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities. Now in her fifth year at Belmont, she has been a part of three NCAA Tournament teams and earned first-team All-OVC honors in 2020-21. She has started every game over the past two-plus seasons. In the classroom she has a perfect 4.0 grade point average in psychology (pre-med) and a year ago she earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors (one of just 15 players nationally) and was named the Division I-AAA ADA Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Samantha Quigley Smith is set to begin her first year as head women's basketball coach at SIUE. Quigley Smith took over as the sixth head coach in program history in April. A native of Joliet, Sam was a standout at Joliet Catholic before playing at DePaul, where she tallied 484 career assists (third in Blue Demon history). She has served as the head coach at NAIA St. Francis and Division II Lewis. She led St. Francis to the NAIA Final Four and at Lewis led the Flyers to three NCAA Tournaments. She comes from an athletic family which includes her brother Ryan, who plays in the Padres organization, and her sister Allie, who plays for the WNBA's Chicago Sky.

Samantha Quigley Smith is set to begin her first year as head women's basketball coach at SIUE. Quigley Smith took over as the sixth head coach in program history in April. A native of Joliet, Sam was a standout at Joliet Catholic before playing at DePaul, where she tallied 484 career assists

Matt Young serves as the OVC Coordinator of Football Officiating. Young, who took over the role in March 2017, is in charge of recruiting, training and developing the OVC football officials, as well the game selection and assignment and evaluation of those officials and oversight of an officials' observation program. From 2006-16 he was an on-field OVC official, including serving as position chief his final two years. Young has worked seven FCS Playoff games, including the 2009 National Championship game between Montana and Villanova played in Chattanooga. He currently serves as Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newport, Kentucky. Young also serves as chaplain for the Newport Fire/EMS Department and the Newport Police Department.

Matt Young serves as the OVC Coordinator of Football Officiating. Young, who took over the role in March 2017, is in charge of recruiting, training and developing the OVC football officials, as well the game selection and assignment and evaluation of those officials and oversight of an officials'

Jamaal Thompson was the winner of the 2020-21 OVC Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award as a student-athlete at Tennessee Tech. Thompson was a three-year member of the Golden Eagles football team and last season also joined the TTU basketball program when the team needed some additional players

Teresa Phillips is the former women's basketball coach and Director of Athletics at Tennessee State and one of three members of the OVC's Hall of Fame Class of 2021. She served as TSU's head women's basketball coach from 1989-2000, guiding the team to back-to-back OVC regular season and tournament

Connie Keasling is the former women's tennis coach at Murray State and one of three members of the OVC's Hall of Fame Class of 2021. She is also the first female tennis-only head coach to be inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame. She served two stints (1984-87 and 1992-2011) as the Racers head coach,

Phil Dane is the former Director of Athletics at UT Martin and one of three members of the OVC's Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Phil spent over 30 years associated with UTM, including in the role of Vice Chancellor Business and Finance prior to becoming the A.D. During his tenure he helped turn

Preston Spradlin is the head men's basketball coach at Morehead State. In 2020-21 he led the Eagles to a 17-3 OVC mark, OVC Tournament Championship and first NCAA appearance in since 2011.

Bart Brooks is the head women's basketball coach at Belmont. This year he led the Bruins to its third OVC Tournament crown during his tenure and a NCAA Tournament win over Gonzaga.

Polk Brown is the head men's and women's golf coach at Tennessee Tech. He competed for the Golden Eagles golf team (2001-06) for the legendary Bobby Nichols, earning All-Tournament honors at the 2006 OVC Championship. He was named TTU head coach in July 2011.

Sara Hacker is the Assistant A.D. for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator at Morehead State. She played softball at MSU and worked as a marketing and promotions coordinator after graduation before leaving to take on other professional challenges. In the summer of 2019 she returned to

Chris Prothro is the first-year head baseball coach at Eastern Kentucky. Prothro spent time as an assistant coach at North Iowa Area Community College, Nicholls State and most recently South Alabama before being named the Colonels head coach.

Mark Redburn is the head softball coach at Southeast Missouri State. He was named the fourth head coach in SEMO softball history in June 2014 and enters his seventh season with the program in 2021. He led the team to a school record 46 in 2019 and won the OVC regular season and tournament

Dave Jarvis is the head baseball coach at Belmont. Jarvis has been the head coach there since 1998 and guided the program from the NAIA level to Division I and eventually the OVC. He led the Bruins to the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Tournaments. Prior to coming to Belmont, he served as the head coach at

Seth Carlisle is a junior linebacker on the Tennessee Tech football team. A native of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, Seth played quarterback and safety in high school and after getting to Tennessee Tech made the switch to linebacker. As a sophomore he had a breakout season with 88 tackles and

Joe Pott is the play-by-play voice and athletic communications director at SIUE. He has been the "Voice of the Cougars" since 2008 and can be heard on radio and ESPN+ broadcasts. As the head of the communications department he oversees broadcasting and media relations. Pott can also be heard as a

Jacksonville State linebacker Zack Woodard and Austin Peay tennis athlete Fabienne Schmidt are two of the six OVC Scholar-Athlete Award winners for 2020-21. The award is considered the highest individual honor an OVC student-athlete can earn and is based on accomplishments in the classroom, the

Eastern Illinois distance runner Jaime Marcos and Tennessee Tech volleyball outsider hitter Ali Verzani are two of the six OVC Scholar-Athlete Award winners for 2020-21. The award is considered the highest individual honor an OVC student-athlete can earn and is based on accomplishments in the

Morehead State volleyball outside hitter Olivia Lohmeier and Morehead State golfer Joe Muschong are two of the six OVC Scholar-Athlete Award winners for 2020-21. The award is considered the highest individual honor an OVC student-athlete can earn and is based on accomplishments in the classroom,

Jessica Combs is the head women's golf coach at Austin Peay. The sixth head coach in program history, Combs took over in June 2019 and has had to manage her team through the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw her team lose its spring 2020 and fall 2020 seasons. As a student-athlete for the Govs,

Mike Parris is the play-by-play voice of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. He has been calling JSU games since 1983, and a year ago called his 400th Gamecocks football game. In his early days the Gamecocks were a powerhouse at the Division II level, winning National Championships in men’s

Kate Bucknam serves as Belmont's assistant cross country and track & field coach and recruiting coordinator. She ran collegiately at Minnesota before following in her father's footsteps and getting into coaching. In the episode we talk about an incredible sportsmanship moment in her career; for

Jaclynn Wilson is the head indoor and beach volleyball coach at UT Martin. Wilson was named the head volleyball coach at UTM on March 11, 2015 and later helped establish the beach volleyball program during the 2016-17 season.

Heather Nelson is the only coach in Southeast Missouri State program history, taking over the program in 1999, one year after the OVC began sponsoring women's soccer. During her time she has led SEMO to six regular season and two OVC Tournament Championships, while winning over 200 career matches.