April 12, 2006
BALTIMORE, MD -- Marshall S. Turner, Jr., who served as the Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins from 1950 until 1973 and served the Homewood campus from 1946 until his retirement in 1981, died early Wednesday morning after a lengthy illness. Turner had recently turned 90 and is one of just three individuals who have served as Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins since 1950.
Turner arrived at Johns Hopkins in 1946 and spent four years as an assistant football, basketball and lacrosse coach before taking over as the Director of Athletics in 1950. He was instrumental in the growth of the Hopkins athletic program during his tenure as Director of Athletics as the school added several men's varsity sports and began the process of adding a full range of women's sports to its program under his guidance. He also spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the construction of the Newton White Athletic Center on the Johns Hopkins campus in 1964.
Turner was active on many national committees during his time at Johns Hopkins and was a pioneer in the world of college athletics. He served terms as President of both the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (1968-69) and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (1966-67). He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the NCAA, served two terms as the President of the Mason Dixon Conference and was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Middle Atlantic Conference for 21 years. He was awarded the C. Markland Kelly Award for his outstanding contribution to athletics in the state of Maryland in 1964. He was also recently inducted in the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame.
"This is a tremendous loss for Johns Hopkins University and those of us who were fortunate enough to know and work with Marshall," noted Bob Scott, Turner's successor as the Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins. "His involvement at the national level with the NCAA, NACDA and the USILA helped put the Johns Hopkins name on the map in the world of intercollegiate athletics. His impact on the history of Johns Hopkins University can not be overstated."
A 1937 graduate of the University of the South, Turner lettered in football, basketball and track as an undergraduate. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa and earned a degree in history. He later served as a teacher and coach at nearby St. Paul's School for two years before joining the staff at Johns Hopkins in 1946.
Turner was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on February 19, 1916. He is survived by his wife, the former Lois Greth Hall. The Turner's were married in November, 1963 and enjoyed spending the winter months after his retirement on St. Simon's Island (Georgia), where they shared their passion of playing golf.
A Memorial Service will be held on the Johns Hopkins campus on Sunday, April 23 at 2:00 pm in Hodson Hall.
