A Championship Culture

By Stacey Walters

The University of Pikeville football team etched its name into history in November 2024 with its first-ever postseason win and a story of resilience, brotherhood and leadership that captured the heart of a campus and a region. Under the guidance of Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Corey Fipps, who was named Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) 2024 Coach of the Year, the Bears rose from 0-4 to become AAC Champions and national contenders in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs.

The team’s defining playoff win was marked by a fourth-quarter surge, where the Bears’ physical dominance up front sealed their victory against Baker University in the NAIA playoffs. Behind that grit was an exceptional group of leaders who committed to a culture of service and unity, on and off the field.

“Chemistry is the organic and ever-changing culture in any locker room,” said Fipps. “The relationships built here at UPIKE, not just on the field but in the residence halls and classrooms, put us in a situation where we were successful. Winning is not our primary focus. It’s creating tough young men ready for the challenging moments that come at us in life.”

The accolades continued for the UPIKE football team as two players, Lee Kirkland and Jordan Scott, added AllAmericans to their resumes from the 2024 American Football Coaches Association NAIA Coaches’ All-America Teams. Scott was chosen as a first-team offensive lineman, and Kirkland was named second-team quarterback.

Success for the Bears did not stop at the stadium gates. Even in the final hours leading up to their biggest matchups, players could be found gathered in the hotel lobby, cracking open textbooks and helping each other with coursework. Their commitment to excellence extended well beyond the field, finishing the fall semester with an overall 3.2 GPA—66 players earned above a 3.0, and nine exceeded a 4.0. The Bears also tallied more than 4,000 hours of community service while earning 32 AAC Academic All-Conference and 18 NAIA Scholar Athlete selections.

“This group has learned life lessons that will translate into strong fathers, husbands and community leaders who make UPIKE and the mountains of Eastern Kentucky proud for years. I can’t thank this group of players, coaches and support staff on this campus for what they have done for me, my family and this community,” said Fipps. “The 2024 AAC Champ Bears will always hold a special place in my heart. The brightest days of UPIKE football are yet to come.”

Fipps was not the only UPIKE coach to earn top honors this season. Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tigh Compton ’11 was also named AAC 2025 Coach of the Year, marking a notable year for UPIKE Athletics. After a dominant regular season that saw the Bears crowned AAC regular season champions and a thrilling postseason victory, Compton is proud of the team’s accomplishments, not just in wins and titles but in growth and the brotherhood the players built along the way.

“This group was very coachable and they worked hard daily,” said Compton. “Having several key players return who already knew our standards helped us hit the ground running.”

The men’s basketball season gained momentum early, with a 13-3 record before winter break, and that stretch proved pivotal for the team. The Bears demonstrate leadership skills, and Compton credits his coaching staff for helping set the tone. They plan to build on the success of the men’s basketball program and have high aspirations for the future.

“Once we had time to reflect over break, the team realized just how good they could be. That confidence carried us into the second half of the season, knowing we had a chance to be a championship-level team,” said Compton. “There’s a saying in coaching, ‘a player-led team will always beat a coach-led team.’ This group proved that. We’re always striving to ‘change our best.’ We hope to build on this championship, chase another and put ourselves in the national title conversation.”

Off the court, the Bears continued to excel. With a 3.35 fall team GPA, four NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and leading the AAC in Academic All-Conference selections, Compton recognized strong time management and support from the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE).

“We put a lot of effort into time management with our guys and work with them to develop positive habits as soon as they arrive on campus,” said Compton. “The help our student-athletes receive in the CAE is top-notch and is crucial to their academic success.”

UPIKE Athletics proves that championships are won not just with talent, but with heart, discipline and a commitment to something greater. From the gridiron to the hardwood, the Bears showcased the power of teamwork, resilience and brotherhood. As both programs celebrated conference titles, academic excellence and national recognition, they set a new standard for what it means to be a student-athlete.