Geoffrey Staton ’03 Receives 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

At Greensboro Day School’s Graduation on May 24, 2024, Head of School Tracie Catlett presented the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award to Geoffrey Staton, class of 2003.

Geoffrey Staton was a lifer at Greensboro Day School as well as a multi-sport varsity athlete, thespian, and president of his senior class. Following graduation from GDS, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was accepted into their competitive athletic training program. Having a passion for both sports and medicine, and helping injured athletes return to play, he continued his education by earning his master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Kentucky.

After graduating from Kentucky, Geoffrey worked as a certified athletic trainer with stints at High Point University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of South Florida. At each university, he was a leader in creating collaborative strategies to ensure all aspects of the student-athlete’s healthcare, injury rehabilitation, and performance were considered. With experience in over 9 different collegiate sports in his career, basketball remains Geoffrey’s passion. In 2017, he was chosen by Hall of Fame Coach John Calipari to be the athletic trainer for Team USA in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. That same year, Geoffrey made the jump from college basketball to the NBA, where he was named Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Phoenix Suns. Following his time in Phoenix, Coach Calipari brought Geoffrey back to the University of Kentucky, where he has been the Head Athletic Trainer for the men’s basketball program for the last five years. 

As head athletic trainer, Geoffrey, in conjunction with Kentucky’s medical staff, manages the daily healthcare and wellness of the men’s basketball team. His hands-on injury management, rehabilitation protocols, recovery strategies and treatment plans help guide the Wildcats through the season. Many of his athletes have gone on to play professionally, and acknowledge Geoffrey for playing a vital role in their success and return from injury.

Geoffrey’s impact in his profession was recognized in 2022 when the University of Kentucky honored him with the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award. This award recognizes African-American members of the UK community whose faith, hard work, and determination have positively impacted people’s lives. Each year, UK selects one graduate to receive the award, which is named after the first African-American student to attend UK and help open its doors to African-Americans in 1949.

In news that was just announced, Geoffrey has been named Head Athletic Trainer for the Brooklyn Nets.

“I am both honored and humbled to receive this award, and sincerely thank those who felt I deserved this special recognition.” Geoffrey said. “I want to thank God, my beautiful wife, Kristie, our amazing son, Trysten, my parents, and family for their continued love and support in what I do. I also want to thank Greensboro Day School and all the wonderful teachers and coaches along the way who helped prepare me for my path in life.”

We congratulate Geoffrey Staton on his many outstanding achievements in the athletic training field and his career, which have helped change the lives of so many. We are honored to recognize him today with our 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Greensboro Day School Alumni Association, in recognition of excellence on the part of our alumni, established the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991. This award is presented annually to the graduate who best exhibits either extraordinary service to the City of Greensboro, the state of North Carolina, or the nation; extraordinary distinction in their field of specialization; or extraordinary service to society and corresponding tangible benefit to fellow citizens.