Began at Auburn: Fall 2005
A native of Georgia, Karen Straub Stanton is a 1998 graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and her NATA BOC certification. She went on to earn her Masters of Sports Health Care from what is now known as A.T. Still University (formerly Arizona School of Health Sciences). While in Arizona, she earned the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and completed her training as an EMT-Basic. She completed her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Auburn in May 2019 with her final dissertation, “Financial Management of Medical Care Expenses of Student-Athletes in Institutions of Higher Education”.
Following Arizona, she managed an outreach program for high schools and special event programing in the New Orleans area, including teaching a basic course in athletic training at 2 of local high schools. She came to Alabama in 2001 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the University of West Alabama, with clinical assignments football, baseball, and softball in conjunction to overseeing other varsity spots and teaching in the education program. She quickly earned the position as Associate Athletic Trainer/ Clinical Coordinator. While at UWA, she was named Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association (ALATA) Collegiate Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2004.
In fall of 2005, she began her position at Auburn University as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with primary responsibility of the football team. Since that time, she has served the student athletes and the department in the positions of physician extender, volleyball, and, currently, the equestrian team. In 2011, she was distinguished with the ALATA Award of Merit and then again in 2014 for her service to the profession of athletic training and the athletes they advocate for.
Karen recently was selected as the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association 2020 Hall of Fame inductee.
Karen is married to Nate Stanton. The couple and their three children, Ezra, Kalynn and Noah, reside in Auburn.