After decades of coaching and teaching, Jana Hardgrave will be officially retired at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. As a coach, Jana formed close relationships with her student athletes and found it rewarding to see them develop independence. Rather than focusing on recognition or accolades, she prioritized building resilience and a mindset geared toward long-term success. Her commitment to guiding young people started early in life was inspired by her own experiences growing up.
Jana Hardgrave was raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where her parents were both teachers. Jana developed a strong respect for education and remained actively engaged in her own. During her early years as a student, she developed skills for basketball. As a high school athlete, she embraced leadership roles in both basketball and track.
Portrait Photo of Jana Hardgrave from the University of Tulsa (Touched-up and Colorized)
Although she did not play sports at the collegiate level, Jana stayed connected to athletics. She worked at summer basketball camps with legendary Razorback coaches Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson, whose mentorship later helped her secure a position as Assistant Basketball Coach at the University of Tulsa.
However, in 1988, when the The National Collegiate Athletic Association took over women’s sports (previously managed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women), the University of Tulsa decided to discontinue its women's basketball program. Jana shifted her focus and began working as a fitness instructor at a health club. One of her clients happened to be the principal of Bishop Kelly High School in Tulsa, and he was impressed by how well she worked with children. She shared her interest in working in schools during their discussion, and he offered her a job as a coach. In addition to coaching Basketball and Track she later took on the role of Assistant Athletics Director.
A photo of Jana Hardgrave after her first team win as a Head Basketball Coach.
In 2008, Jana chose to move back to Northwest Arkansas to be closer to her family. She spent one year at Greenwood before Duane Thomas, a former associate of Jana’s and principal of Gravette Middle School at the time, reached out to offer her a position. It was with Gravette that she began her formal classroom teaching career, marking a new chapter after years spent primarily in coaching roles. Over the past 16 years, she taught a range of subjects at Gravette Middle School including Social Studies, Science, and P.E.
As a coach and teacher in Gravette, Jana Hardgrave made a tremendous impact on the athletics offerings of the district. One of her proudest achievements was helping to jump start the creation of the cross-country program.
Coach Hardgrave's students holding the 4A 4x800 relay State Meet Record
Throughout her time here, Coach Hardgrave witnessed Gravette grow and change, but she says that one constant has been the strong sense of pride and connection among staff, students, and families. Hardgrave always appreciated how Gravette students brought a unique blend of determination and openness, and she found it rewarding to see former students return as teachers and coaches, carrying on that same spirit.
As she prepares to retire, Jana is looking forward to new opportunities and the freedom to explore new interests. After years of balancing teaching and coaching, she plans to take a much-deserved break and enjoy time with her family and her dog. She’s looking forward to having summers free from duty, something she never had during her coaching years when summer sports events filled her schedule. She’s also looking forward to traveling, with plans to visit family and friends in Colorado and Florida.
We are grateful for Coach Hardgrave’s years of service to the students and community of Gravette. The cross-country program she championed continues to thrive, drawing new athletes each year and reflecting her vision of giving students the chance to push themselves and grow.
Thank you, Jana, for your commitment to education, your leadership on the field, and the positive influence you have had on countless lives. Your legacy will continue to shape Gravette for years to come.
Coach Hardgrave celebrating with the girls for a victory in the 4A State Championship
