Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Dr. Ginger Hurst coached volleyball at Southern Arkansas University for 13 years (1977-89) and was named Arkansas Intercollegiate Coach (AIC) of the Year in 1988.  Her teams finished first or second in the conference seven of the last nine seasons of her career.

Hurst coached the 1982 team to an unbeaten Arkansas Women’s Intercollegiate Sports Association (AWISA) championship (14-0), and an overall record of 21-5 in that league’s final season before the move to the AIC.  Hurst led SAU to back-to-back AIC titles in 1988 and 1989.  Under her guidance, the Lady Muleriders accumulated a record of 223-110.  The 1989 SAU team racked up a school record 42-4 mark in Hurst’s final year. 

During her volleyball tenure at Southern Arkansas, Hurst coached 10 All-AWISA, 18 All-AIC, and 15 All-NAIA District 17 selections.  She also signed Tracy Morgan, who was a 1989 All-AIC and All-District pick, and the District 17 Player of the Year, who would go on to be an honorable mention All-America selection in her senior season of 1991.

Hurst helped the Lady Muleriders make a successful transition from the AWISA to the AIC.  She was the last elected AWISA president before the merging with the AIC.

Hurst coached women’s tennis at SAU from 1978-1985, compiling a 36-55 record over her eight seasons.  In 1983 she had two players win both the AIC singles and doubles championships, with Leanne Johnson taking the singles title and Johnson and Shelly Grim claiming the doubles crown.  Both were All-AIC and All-District 17 selections, and Terri Toland was also an All-District pick.  In 1984 Grim and Toland were both All-AIC and All-NAIA District 17.

A native of Mountain Home, Hurst received her B.S.E. and M.S.E. degrees from Arkansas State University.  Before her arrival at Southern Arkansas, Hurst was employed at Helena-West Helena Public Schools. 

After retiring from coaching in 1990 Hurst attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas, where she completed her Ed. D.  She has served since as associate professor of health, kinesiology and recreation, and as a member of the Southern Arkansas graduate studies faculty.  Hurst has been associated with the Columbia County Animal Protection Society (CCAPS) and the Southern Arkansas University Senior Wellness Program.