Panther in the Pros: Heather Mau ’11, Senior Athletic Trainer for the New York Knicks

Her experience as an Adelphi athlete and degree in exercise science have propelled Heather Mau '11 to the National Basketball Association as a trainer for the Dallas Mavericks and now the New York Knicks.

From one island to another, Heather Mau's path from Hawaii to Long Island to Manhattan and the storied hardwood of Madison Square Garden is as extraordinary as it is inspiring.

A 2011 Adelphi graduate and former four-year volleyball standout, Mau has broken new ground in the world of sports, recently stepping into the role of senior athletic trainer with the NBA's New York Knicks.

Mau's journey, marked by perseverance and a passion for both sports and medicine, serves as a beacon for women and individuals of Asian and Pacific Island heritage in a traditionally male-dominated profession.

Starring on the Volleyball Court at Adelphi

Mau's love for sports began at a young age on the beautiful sun-drenched shores of Oahu.

Volleyball, a sport deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, gave her the chance to travel and compete, providing an early view of a world beyond her island home. "It gave me a great outlook on what's out there," Mau recalled.

She idolized Olympians like Robin Ah Mow-a fellow Hawaiian and now the head women's volleyball coach at the University of Hawaii-as well as Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor. Mau felt especially connected to May-Treanor's achievements despite being "on the shorter side" for a volleyball player, a challenge Mau could relate to at her own 5-foot-6-inch stature.

Mau's journey to Adelphi was fueled by a desire to pursue volleyball at the college level and explore life on the East Coast. In 2007, she traveled nearly 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Long Island, where she quickly made her mark on Adelphi's volleyball team. Over her four-year career, she amassed more than 3,000 assists and still ranks among the University's leaders in both career assists and digs.

"I knew that I wanted to play volleyball in college and go far away from home," she reflected. Adelphi became a second family to her, a community where she found support and lifelong friendships.

Earning Her Degree in Exercise Science

It was also at Adelphi where Mau discovered a passion for athletic training, often taping her fellow athletes' ankles. Her degree in exercise science laid the groundwork for a career that would eventually lead her to the NBA.

"The exercise science program and my experience at Adelphi helped me see both sides of athletic training," she explained. "Majoring in exercise science gave me an opportunity to learn the foundations of sports medicine and the tools to jump-start my athletic training career."

After earning her BS in Exercise Science at Adelphi, Mau went on to earn a master's degree in California and spent three years as an assistant athletic trainer at the college level. She entered the pros in 2016 as head athletic trainer for the South Bay Lakers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.

On to the NBA

Her big break came in 2019 with a call from the Dallas Mavericks, where she served as assistant athletic trainer for five years. It was a dream job at the top level of the American sports world, which she made the most of.

She helped win the NBA's Athletic Training Staff of the Year award in her second and third seasons with the team. She spurred innovation, introducing a new wellness concept to the league by adding the NBA's first emotional support animal to the training staff, a mini Bernedoodle named Bailey. And she had the thrill of playing an important role in the team's march to the 2023-2024 NBA Finals.

Mau made her debut as the Knicks' senior athletic trainer this season. Working with a team as iconic as the Knicks-particularly in a city as diverse as New York-is both a professional and personal triumph for her.

"The excitement around the Knicks is like nothing I've ever seen before," she said.

Her return to the East Coast also brings her closer to family and allows her to work with Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' star who became her friend when he played with the Mavericks.

Breaking Down Barriers

In addition to her professional milestones, Mau sees her position as an opportunity to inspire others, particularly women and minority communities. As a woman of Asian and Pacific Island heritage, she's passionate about breaking down barriers and proving that success in high-level sports is possible for people from all backgrounds.

"It's about showing other girls from Hawaii that they can move away from home, do things at the highest level, and that it is possible," she said. With her unique path and perspective, Mau is reshaping what it means to be an athletic trainer in the NBA.

Mau's story, from her early days in Hawaii to her achievements with the Knicks, is a testament to pursuing one's dreams.

For those lucky enough to work alongside her-or for any young athlete watching from afar-she represents a trailblazer who, with every step, redefines what's possible.