July 22, 2009

Clint Haggard has been named head football athletic trainer at the University of South Carolina, it was announced today. Haggard will officially begin his duties on Monday, July 27.

Haggard has experience both as a head athletic trainer and in the Southeastern Conference. Most recently, he has served as the assistant athletics director for medical services/head athletic trainer at Rice University, a position he has held since May 2006.

Haggard came to Rice after spending the previous two seasons as assistant football athletic trainer at the University of Alabama. Prior to that, he was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Alabama for two years. While at Alabama, he developed and implemented the Alabama Sports Medicine Workshop that provided learning opportunities for high school athletic trainers across the Southeast.

In the fall of 2001, Haggard served as coordinator of medical services for the Georgia State Flag Football Championships, providing medical coverage for more than 700 athletes. He has also served internships for the Indianapolis Colts (summer of 2001) and for the Cincinnati Reds (summer of 2000). He has been a speaker at numerous conferences around the country in addition to publishing many articles and successfully procuring several athletic training-related grants.

Haggard received his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science for the University of Georgia in 2002 and his master’s degree in health sciences from Alabama in 2003.

“I’m excited to get back in the SEC and closer to home,” said Haggard, who grew up in Ila, Ga., just north of Athens. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and look forward to helping continue the great tradition of health care for the student-athletes at South Carolina.”

Haggard is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association. Additionally, he is certified as an emergency medical technician-basic. Haggard holds memberships with numerous national, state and district athletic training associations.

Haggard, who will turn 29 on his first day of work at South Carolina, and his wife, Erin, have a one-and-half year old daughter, Reagan, and are expecting their second child in September.

Haggard replaces Bill Martin, who accepted a position as head athletic trainer at Arizona State University.