Jan. 29, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's University head men's soccer coach Tom Turner, the program's all-time leader in career victories, has announced his retirement from coaching.

Turner has been affiliated with Saint Joseph's for 27 years and has served as head coach for the past 23 seasons. His total of 124 victories surpassed the legendary Jack Dunn, who registered 120 wins from 1958 to 1975.

"I'd like to thank Saint Joseph's University; from Father Smith to Father Ross and all the dedicated administrators who allowed me to excel and become the person and coach I am today," said Turner.

"The Jesuit mission is to take care of those who need guidance. In the long run, you hope those in your charge realize that you went above and beyond to foster their development. That is what was imparted upon me by the Jesuits and the dedicated faculty here at SJU, and I can only hope that I was able to assist my players in the same fashion."

"On behalf of the entire Saint Joseph's soccer and athletic community, I wish to thank Tom for his undying loyalty and service to the University over the last 23 years," said director of athletics Don DiJulia. "Coupled with his playing days, Tom has been a fixture on Hawk Hill to a generation of student-athletes and has been one of the faces of our program. Tom has embodied the mission of our University and his dedication to the enhancement of the student-athlete experience has been well- manifested through the years."

One of the longest tenured coaches in Saint Joseph's athletics, Turner took over the Hawk soccer program in 1987 and led SJU to back-to-back double digit wins in 1993 and 1994. In 1993, Turner guided the Hawks to a school-record 12 wins, their first-ever Soccer Seven title and an Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance. He was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. In 1994, the Hawks returned to the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

Turner was named the Soccer Seven Coach of the Year twice, in 1993 and 1994, and had 22 of his student-athletes receive Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors, with one earning the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year award (Don D'Ambra in 1993).

Turner currently serves as the assistant dean of students at La Salle College High School, a post he has held since 1991, while he has been a teacher at the school since 1981.