Alumni Spotlight



Earnest L. "Doc"Harrington, Sr.

Earnest "Doc" Harrington wore many hats at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was head athletic trainer, equipment manager and varsity tennis coach. "Doc" Harrington served as head athletict trainer from 1958-1994. Formally a full colonel in the United States Army Reserve, he is a popular speaker at many sports medicine and tennis seminars and workshops and has had a number of articles published over the years. "Doc" Harrington has been athletic trainer for many social events during his career, including the Senior Bowl (since 1960) and the Saudi Arabia Sports Medicine Symposium (1983). He was also the first director and project coordinator for the nationally approved Athletic Training Specialization program at the University of Southern Mississippi. "Doc" Harrington has a doctorate in education, was a licensed Physical Therapist in addition to being a certified athletic trainer.

"Doc" was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Association's Hall of Fame in 2003. "Doc" was recently inducted into the Inaugural Class of the SEATA Hall of Fame (2007).