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 leadership and lasting impact on the profession.
“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 has led Memphis’ integrated performance and wellness model since joining the university in 2012, 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, while supporting women’s golf as a secondary sport administrator. Under his medical leadership, Memphis programs have captured multiple conference championships, including football titles in 2014 and 2019 and men’s basketball championships in 2023 and 2025.
In addition to his campus leadership, Turner has made significant contributions nationally. He served 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, helping shape policies and standards across collegiate athletics.
Before Memphis, Turner held positions with the United Football League, Winston-Salem State, the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Winthrop and South Sumter High School. His career has been recognized with numerous honors, reflecting a lifelong commitment to advancing Athletic Training and supporting student-athletes at every level. Read the full story here!