Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) Red Coat Society will grow by three people Saturday when L.M. Ellis, L.W. Harris and Vanessa Hollis gain enshrinement.
Additionally, longtime supporter Ron Morton, who was inducted to the Red Coat Society but unable to attend the ceremony last year, will be recognized for his enshrinement alongside the 2020 class.
The first African-American men’s basketball player signed to play in Ohio Valley Conference history, Ellis is a 1965 graduate from the University and has since gone on to success in the Clarksville community.
An OVC and APSU Athletics Hall of Famer, Ellis has created an endowment for the education department, in addition to his longtime standing as a contributor to the Dave Aaron Memorial Scholarship fund.
Harris has been a fixture at Austin Peay State University athletic events for three decades, supporting the department by chairing countless fundraisers and events designed to improve the student-athlete experience. Spanning multiple decades, Harris has been an advocate for everything from athletics-sponsored concerts to the Monocle Society.
A protector of the children of Montgomery County in her work in the department of child services, Hollis has donated to a variety of funds directly impacting the student-athlete experience. A longtime board member of the Governors Club who served a stint as president, she’s helped spearhead a host of athletic fundraising events over the years. She’s the fifth female inductee in the 17-year history of the honor for Austin Peay State University’s most exemplary supporters.
Morton, a 1970 Austin Peay State University graduate and cross country student-athlete, and his wife, Andrea, made a significant donation to Austin Peay State University in 2012 that provides scholarships for Governors Olympic-sport student-athletes. That scholarship alone has benefitted 20 Governors student-athletes since its inception. In addition to his generous gift in 2012, Morton has annually been one of Austin Peay State University top donors in athletics.
The Red Coat Society is a Hall of Fame for service to Austin Peay State University athletics. The society was established in 2004 to honor those individuals who have provided longtime support to Governors athletics. The 2020 class is the 17th inducted into the Red Coat Society; Ellis, Harris and Hollis become the 43rd, 44th and 45th members inducted.
To be eligible for the Red Coat Society, individuals must be a member in good standing of the Monocle Society or its predecessors for at least five years; have supported the athletic programs at Austin Peay State University through financial contributions or participation in Monocle Society fund-raisers and other events; have supported more than one sport both at home and away whenever possible and recognized within the APSU community for their association with Austin Peay State University athletics.
