Sharp named MACCC Athletic Trainer of the Year

PERKINSTON — Dana Sharp oversees taking care of more than 200 student-athletes each year at Mississippi Gulf Coast, and she does such a great job she’s been named MACCC Athletic Trainer of the Year.

She picked up the vote this week at the MACCC Summer Athletics Conference, held this year at Gulf Coast’s Hospitality and Resort Management Center on the Harrison County Campus. 

“It means a lot. There’s a lot of good athletic trainers in the MACCC, so receiving this honor is something I’m very proud of and excited about,” Sharp said. “I have had a lot of good help around me for the 16 years I’ve been here. We’ve got Nate Snider now, and I definitely couldn’t do what I do without him.” 

The award was voted on by her fellow athletic trainers at the 14 other schools in the conference.

Sharp has been the head athletic trainer at Gulf Coast since 2015, following four years where she was the assistant. She is in charge of a state-of-the-art athletic training facility featuring taping and treatment tables, electrical stimulation machines, ultrasound machines, Game Ready systems, rehabilitation exercise equipment, a cold tub and ice baths. 

She has a master’s in sports management from Southern Miss, where she also completed her bachelor’s in athletic training. Sharp is a certified athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

“It’s a big responsibility, taking care of 200-plus athletes, but they’re very appreciative,” Sharp said. “That makes my job a lot easier. I’ve had tons of athletes come through, and most of them remember, come back and visit. We’ve built a family there. Having good coaches and good people around you is awesome. I’m definitely thankful for that, as well.”

Sharp is married to her husband Brad, and they have two children, Bree, 16 and Brody, 7.

For more information on MGCCC’s 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.