All roads lead to home: Murray returns to Huntsville as head athletic trainer
When the opportunity arose to come back home, one former Hornet jumped on the opportunity as fast as she could.
Class of 2015 graduate Mariah Murray has returned to Huntsville, as she has been chosen as the head athletic trainer for Huntsville ISD. It marks the first time Huntsville ISD has a full-time female head athletic trainer.
"It's been a surreal experience for sure. I'm not gonna say I never saw myself coming back, but the position was held by the same person for a long time, so it was a bit unexpected. I immediately applied for it," Murray said. "It's been a full circle moment being able to come back. Being able to serve in the community where I was raised is priceless. Everybody has been so welcoming, it almost doesn't feel real to me. I am grateful for the opportunity."
Murray was on the Lady Hornets basketball team before graduating in 2015. She played for Hornet boys' coach Jay Oliphant before playing for Pinellafie Johnson as a senior.
Upon her graduation from HHS, Murray went to Tyler Junior College, where she gained her Associate's Degree before heading to UT Tyler. Murray earned her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from there.
With her degree in hand, Murray was preparing to get her master's degree from Stephen F. Austin. She did so while getting to be in Nacogdoches with her brother, Amad, who was playing football for the Lumberjacks.
As she gained experience, Mariah decided she wanted to remain in East Texas and found a job with Lufkin ISD as an assistant athletic trainer in the fall of 2022 after an internship with Lufkin ISD.
At Lufkin, Mariah saw a lot of changes to her role, which gave her valuable experience. Her primary coverage zone was Lufkin Middle School, but as in life, things change, and she was needed elsewhere.
While being the main trainer at the middle school, she assisted with the high school programs.
All of that has led her back to HHS, where she will oversee both the high school athletes and the middle school.
"My time in Lufkin was great. I feel like I learned so much and gained valuable experience. I've been the full-time athletic trainer at the middle school for four years," Murray said. "I feel like that prepared me for this role. It was great, the kids were great and the coaching staff was great. It's a lot like Huntsville."
She also gained experience at SFA working with football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer, softball and baseball programs.
Getting back to Huntsville has been a whirlwind, though, as Mariah comes back home to be around family and get back to her hometown. With the summer months providing some relaxation, it has also led to spending weekends with family before the hustle and bustle of the athletic calendar.
She also has an advantage that some don't. While she doesn't necessarily know the athlete just yet, she knows a lot of the athlete's parents from the time she has already spent here. It's already played into her hand with the handful of injuries that have taken place since the spring football game across all the sports.
"It's been so natural talking to them about their kids' injuries. The kids are respectful, so connecting with them has been the easiest part of the job," Murray said.
Murray officially came back to Huntsville on June 1st and assumed the role of head athletic trainer. She marked the first female head athletic trainer for Huntsville ISD when she did so, and that is something that she has held near her heart.
Especially being a Huntsville native.
"There has never been a woman as head athletic trainer, so it has been amazing getting to essentially show the students of Huntsville that if you work hard, get an education and get experience, you can come back. This opportunity is open to anybody, doesn't matter your background," Murray said.
Murray is now overseeing the entire athletic training department for HISD and has hired a staff to assist her. Her new office sits in a building that was nothing but a dream in 2015, and eventually she will get the experience her first Friday Night back in the green and white at HISD Stadium.
"The facility is amazing. The community outdid itself when they came together to get the bond passed," Murray said. "It's beautiful facilities, almost collegiate level, which is great for the kids. We have a lot to offer student athletes and a lot to help them be successful. It's a great space, and I can't wait to see the stadium on a Friday night."
Murray will continue to oversee Huntsville's S.T.I.N.G. program and will be on the sidelines for football games in the fall. Her first game time experience will be a return trip to Lufkin for the Hornets first scrimmage against the Panthers.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.