Grace Harkness joined the Lamar University athletic training staff in July 2020. She will work directly with the Cardinal men’s basketball program.
Harkness comes to Beaumont from Waco, Texas where she spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant at Baylor. During her time in Waco, she worked directly with the Baylor football and women’s golf teams. Despite her status as a graduate assistant, Harkness oversaw the Master of Athletic Training students assigned to the football program. She also served as the sole athletics trainer for the women’s golf program and implemented protocols and warm-up routines designed for injury prevention.
Prior to her time in Waco, Harkness did a summer internship with the Indianapolis Colts. Harkness’ hiring by the Colts was historical in nature becoming the first female hired to work on the Colts’ athletic training staff. During her internship, she also aided in joint practices with the Detroit Lions as they shared the Colts’ facility.
Harkness got her start as an athletic trainer at her alma mater, West Virginia. She spent three seasons as a student trainer with the Mountaineers working with football, wrestling, baseball, track and field and cheerleading. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in May 2018. She earned a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Baylor in May 2020.
