Florida State led the charge into fully funding and supporting women’s intercollegiate athletics and Harlien Johnson was one of the important figures in the history of athletics at FSU. Johnson’s
service to Seminole athletes and athletics began during her undergraduate years. She became the first trainer for women’s athletics in 1969 taking a non-paid position when equipment and supplies were
scarce. Harlien put in many hours caring for FSU’s athletes while earning her undergraduate degree in Physical Education in 1972.
After receiving her degree, Harlien became a graduate assistant
trainer under Bill Baggett and Don Fauls and earned her Certificate in Athletic Training in 1975 making her one of the first females in the country to achieve the distinction.
From 1976-1981,
Johnson was the first full-time head trainer for women’s athletics at FSU where she was responsible for an average of 120 athletes in eight sports. She earned a Masters in exercise physiology from FSU
in 1981 and left her position to take pre-medical classes.
She earned a degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1989.
