Meet the Man Who Keeps GC Athletes Healthy

Athletic Trainer: Ray Stanquist

Ray Stanquist is the man behind all Gulf Coast coaches and athletes by managing, preventing, and assisting in recovery for athletic injuries. Ray is a Clearwater, Florida native who is married to Kristi Stanquist and has three kids, Nicole (12), Wyatt (9), and Brooke (6). He played college soccer at North West College in Kirkland, Washington. Stanquist has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine and a master’s degree in Education Leadership. Out of college, his first primary job was at Bay Medical Center, where he served as an athletic trainer for all the middle schools in Bay County. After taking this position, Bay Medical decided to cancel its athletic trainer program. Soon after this decision, Ray took a job at Health South, which provided athletic training to Gulf Coast. At Health South, he recruited Rutherford High School into the program and served both schools. In 2006, Ray took a full-time position at Rutherford High School as an Anatomy teacher and trainer. When 2020 rolled around, and the Gulf Coast athletic trainer position became available through Gulf Coast Medical Center Ray, decided to return full time to be a trainer.

One reason the job at Gulf Coast was appealing to Ray, is he likes the relationships he can create with the athletes and coaches. He likes working with young adults and seeing their character development throughout their time at GC. Stanquist also enjoys how college athletes are highly dedicated to getting better at their sport and committed to being good people. He believes all his athletes “check their attitudes at the door” and create special bonds within their teams. The coaches also work closely with Ray, letting them know their practice schedules and concerns for their athletes. He said the coaches have great communication and support of his methods.