170WINTER LEADERSHIP MICHAEL GRAGG WAS HIRED AS the Harding University head strength and conditioning coach in January of 2021. Gragg traced his desire to be a strength and conditioning coach to high school when he read the Louisiana State University (LSU) Football 2007 summer workout manual. During his junior year of high school, Gragg began writing his own workout plans for himself and his friends. Following his playing career in football at Harding, Gragg attended Texas Christian University (TCU) where he first got involved in the strength and conditioning profession. At TCU, Gragg was an assistant responsible for the athletic development of the swim and dive, track and field, and football programs. Gragg utilized his extensive experience and passion in the field of strength and conditioning to elevate Harding’s program. It was his mission for the Harding University strength and conditioning program to play a holistic role in the physical, mental and spiritual development of every Bison student-athlete. “Our endeavor is that, because of our interactions, each individual we work alongside will come closer to reaching their full potential athletically, in life and eternally,” Gragg said. With the master’s of science in strength and conditioning program, Gragg worked alongside graduate assistant coaches to create a culture of effective and transformational coaches. Gragg said it was their primary goal to utilize their training programs to optimize athletic performance, provide lifestyle education and nurture a growth mindset in all studentathletes. Steven Wallace, a graduate assistant working with football, men’s basketball and women’s golf, credited his interest in the strength and conditioning profession to Gragg’s influence. “I started shadowing Coach Gragg and, from there, found my passion for this field,” Wallace said. Gragg believed having knowledgeable, experienced and certified coaches to empower athletes during their training was paramount to their success and safety. Gragg wanted the strength and conditioning program at Harding continue to develop. Grant Carnahan, a graduate assistant with baseball, football and women’s basketball, added his opinion on how the program could continue to grow in the future. “I hope to see this program grow by developing a nutrition program to further help the student-athletes and their performance,” Carnaham said. WRITTEN BY HAYLEY KATE WEBB Michael Gragg fulfills his longtime aspiration as the new strength and conditioning coach. PUMPIN’ IRON Gragg’s students participate in a group chest workout led by Gragg. Sweat dripped off their faces as they worked toward their goals. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall STILL GOING STRONG
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