APSU sports communication students gain valuable broadcasting experience with Govs Hockey

By: Clayton Carroll October 28, 2026

APSU students Casey Yates and Clayton Carroll announce a Govs Hockey game at F&M Bank Arena’s Ford Ice Center on Oct. 16, 2026. | Photo by Haley Baynham

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The members of the Austin Peay State University Govs Hockey Club weren’t the only winners during an Oct. 16-17 doubleheader against Mississippi State in the Ford Ice Center at F&M Bank Arena.

Students in Professor Barry Gresham’s COMM 4110 class, along with Department of Communication graduate assistants, had the opportunity to live-produce broadcasts of both Governors’ victories from start to finish.

Their responsibilities included staffing cameras, running replays, mixing audio levels, directing and producing the broadcast, along with play-by-play and color announcing.

This marks the third season that Austin Peay students have produced Govs Hockey broadcasts. Dr. Rob Baron, former chair of the Department of Communication and current associate dean of the College of Arts and Letters, played a pivotal role in establishing the partnership.

“We were looking for new opportunities to collaborate, and hockey provided that opportunity,” Baron said, adding that the broadcasts also bring more visibility to the sport. “It has been a great partnership ever since and gives our students opportunities to do live production.”

Gresham, who serves as the department’s sports communication coordinator, said the experience helps students gain the skills they need to enter the job market after graduation, starting as early as their freshman year.

Lucas Bales runs camera for Govs Hockey at the Ford Ice Center at F&M Bank Arena. | Photo by Haley Baynham

“When students get here, they can not only run camera, but all of the positions in a broadcast,” he said. “For instance, we are rotating everyone on these productions here these two nights for hockey. Since we get you for four years, that makes you set up so much better for a job after graduation ... trying different sports and various positions is going to make each student’s portfolio and demo reel better.”

For current students, producing hockey broadcasts and taking on other opportunities within the Department of Communication has proven incredibly valuable. Sophomore Nick Arvin has worked on several APSU productions, including hockey broadcasts and football coverage on WAPX-FM, Tuesday Tailgate and Crunchtime.

“The ability to get [live production] experience so early is why I’m here,” Arvin said. “The opportunity to be on these productions does not happen everywhere.”

The Department of Communication is also home to 2026 Miss Austin Peay Volunteer Haley Baynham, who helped direct the two hockey broadcasts. As a graduate assistant, Baynham has gained experience in advanced production roles, including technical directing, while continuing to build her portfolio through sideline reporting and social media.

Alumni have also benefited from the hands-on experience offered through the program. Dillon Walton helped expand the Austin Peay Sports Network’s social media presence, which contributed to his career path and eventual role as social media manager for the Tennessee Golf Association.

During his time at APSU, Walton also broadcast women’s basketball for WAPX-FM, hosted Crunchtime, and conducted interviews with President Mike Licari, Director of Athletics Jordan Harmon, head football coach Jeff Faris, head men's basketball coach Corey Gipson, and others.

“If you want to do something, people in the department like Professor Gresham, Professor Ethan Schmidt, Professor David Ellison, and Steve Sawyer are going to put you to work,” Walton said. “I am very innovative, and they have never shot down any of my ideas. They may have offered a different perspective, but they never said no and were willing to try them, which made me a better person. The Austin Peay Sports Network gave me confidence.”

Whether students begin behind a camera in a cold hockey rink or take on more advanced production roles, hands-on opportunities in the Department of Communication are helping them develop the skills, confidence, and portfolios needed to pursue careers in sports communication and broadcasting.