University of Memphis Athletics
Darrell Turner Named 2026 SEATA College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year
Feb 10, 2026 | General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf
ATLANTA –University of Memphis Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer Darrell Turner has been named the 2026 Kenny Howard College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA), recognizing his outstanding dedication and service to the athletic training profession.
Turner was honored this past weekend (Feb. 6) at the SEATA Clinical Symposium & Education Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Nominees for the award must be certified members of SEATA for at least two consecutive years, hold current BOC certification and state licensure, possess a minimum of two years of experience in their employment setting and demonstrate significant service, leadership or educational contributions to the association.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the Kenny Howard College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year Award," Turner said. "This recognition reflects the daily work, collaboration and trust shared with our student-athletes, coaches, medical staff and the University of Memphis community. Everything we do in athletic training starts with the student-athlete."
Turner leads Memphis' integrated performance and wellness model, overseeing Sports Nutrition, Athletic Performance, Sports Medicine, Sports Science and Athletic Mental Performance. He also serves as the primary sports medicine contact for men's basketball and men's golf and is the secondary sport administrator for the women's golf program.
Since joining Memphis in 2012, Turner has played a key role in the department's success. Programs under his medical leadership have captured multiple conference championships, including football titles in 2014 and 2019 and men's basketball championships in 2023 and 2025, along with numerous postseason appearances. He has served as the department's Athletics Healthcare Administrator since 2017, overseeing healthcare operations, policy development and medical coordination.
Turner has also been a national leader in the profession, serving as President of the American Conference Sports Medicine Committee from 2023-25 and as a member of the conference's Medical Advisory Committee from 2020-25.
Prior to Memphis, Turner spent three seasons in the United Football League as Head Athletic Trainer for the Virginia Destroyers and the California Redwoods/Sacramento Mountain Lions. He also served as Director of Sports Medicine at Winston-Salem State, and held positions with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Winthrop and South Sumter High School.
Turner earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science with a specialization in Athletic Training from the University of Florida and a master's degree in Recreation with a concentration in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. He is a certified and licensed athletic trainer with multiple advanced certifications in sports rehabilitation, manual therapy and performance enhancement.
His professional excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the University of Memphis Harriet R. Montgomery Service Excellence Award, TIAA Division Excellence Awards and the American Conference's Dr. Jeffrey Anderson Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Sports Medicine.
ABOUT SEATA
The Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA) is District 9 of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. It is a not-for-profit organization dealing with the concerns of its members and the profession of athletic training as a whole. This association was first started back in 1950. Initially comprised of the members of the Southeastern Conference schools, this district is represented by Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Turner was honored this past weekend (Feb. 6) at the SEATA Clinical Symposium & Education Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Nominees for the award must be certified members of SEATA for at least two consecutive years, hold current BOC certification and state licensure, possess a minimum of two years of experience in their employment setting and demonstrate significant service, leadership or educational contributions to the association.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the Kenny Howard College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year Award," Turner said. "This recognition reflects the daily work, collaboration and trust shared with our student-athletes, coaches, medical staff and the University of Memphis community. Everything we do in athletic training starts with the student-athlete."
Turner leads Memphis' integrated performance and wellness model, overseeing Sports Nutrition, Athletic Performance, Sports Medicine, Sports Science and Athletic Mental Performance. He also serves as the primary sports medicine contact for men's basketball and men's golf and is the secondary sport administrator for the women's golf program.
Since joining Memphis in 2012, Turner has played a key role in the department's success. Programs under his medical leadership have captured multiple conference championships, including football titles in 2014 and 2019 and men's basketball championships in 2023 and 2025, along with numerous postseason appearances. He has served as the department's Athletics Healthcare Administrator since 2017, overseeing healthcare operations, policy development and medical coordination.
Turner has also been a national leader in the profession, serving as President of the American Conference Sports Medicine Committee from 2023-25 and as a member of the conference's Medical Advisory Committee from 2020-25.
Prior to Memphis, Turner spent three seasons in the United Football League as Head Athletic Trainer for the Virginia Destroyers and the California Redwoods/Sacramento Mountain Lions. He also served as Director of Sports Medicine at Winston-Salem State, and held positions with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Winthrop and South Sumter High School.
Turner earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science with a specialization in Athletic Training from the University of Florida and a master's degree in Recreation with a concentration in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. He is a certified and licensed athletic trainer with multiple advanced certifications in sports rehabilitation, manual therapy and performance enhancement.
His professional excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the University of Memphis Harriet R. Montgomery Service Excellence Award, TIAA Division Excellence Awards and the American Conference's Dr. Jeffrey Anderson Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Sports Medicine.
ABOUT SEATA
The Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA) is District 9 of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. It is a not-for-profit organization dealing with the concerns of its members and the profession of athletic training as a whole. This association was first started back in 1950. Initially comprised of the members of the Southeastern Conference schools, this district is represented by Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
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