The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Harston named 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Honorary Referee
03.26.2025 | Texas Relays, Track & Field / Cross Country
Kathy Harston to be recognized on Saturday on field during grand ceremony.
AUSTIN, Texas - Kathy Harston – the Senior Associate Athletics Director and Sport Administrator for six programs on the Forty Acres– has been named the 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays presented by Truist Honorary Referee. Harston will be honored at the Grand Ceremonies on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mike A. Myers Stadium.
"Her legacy and the work she does for countless programs here on campus doesn't go unnoticed," head coach Edrick Floréal said. "Her unwavering support of our team and countless efforts to ensure nothing but excellence is achieved is inspiring."
Harson is the sport admin for track and field/cross country, beach volleyball, rowing, soccer, volleyball and women's basketball – where she oversees day-to-day operations. Since returning to the Forty Acres in 2021, Harston has been played a pivotal role in all the sports she oversees.
"It's such a tremendous honor to be recognized at a meet like the Texas Relays," Harston said. "The tradition and success that is written all over this meet brings me great joy that I get to be a part of it this year."
Harston held a role in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the Director of Operations for the Tennessee Lady Vols for four years, prior to returning to UT. Before Knoxville, Harston worked 18 years as the assistant women's basketball coach for Texas from 1989-2007. She then served as an academic counselor at Texas for one year in 2007-08.
As an assistant coach alongside Hall of Fame Coach Jody Conradt, Texas made 14 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003. UT also claimed eight total conference championships, including five regular season titles and three postseason tournament crowns.
Harston was the head girls basketball coach and athletic coordinator for five years at Plainview High School in Plainview, Texas [1984-89]. She led Plainview to the Texas Class 5A State Championship in 1986-87 and was named Texas State High School Coach of the Year. Harston also spent two years as an assistant coach at Texas Tech [1982-84].
During her collegiate playing days, Harston was a four-year letterwinner at AIAW national powerhouse Wayland Baptist. She was a Kodak All-American and a finalist for the 1980 Wade Trophy [National Player of the Year]. Harston led the Flying Queens to the 1977 National Women's Invitational Tournament championship and to a fourth-place finish at the 1978 AIAW National Championship. In January of 2006, she was selected as one of the "Top 25 Players of the Pre-NCAA Basketball Era" by ESPN.com.
Harston received her bachelor's degree in physical education from Wayland Baptist in 1980. She then earned her master's degree in education from North Texas in 1982. Harston was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Wayland Baptist Athletic Hall of Honor in 2008.