July 2, 1996
Contact: Liz Latt,
(615) 322-2706
Todd Turner named Vanderbilt University athletic director
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Todd Turner, a 20-year veteran of NCAA Division
I intercollegiate athletics, will become athletic director at Vanderbilt
University Aug. 1, Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt announced Tuesday.
The appointment of Turner, athletic director at North Carolina State for
the past six years, was announced during a news conference at Vanderbilt's
Stadium Club. Previously, Turner served as director of athletics at the
University of Connecticut and in a number of athletic department capacities
at the University of Virginia.
"Todd Turner was our first choice after a thorough and professional
national search. He brings to Vanderbilt a career of distinction and accomplishment,"
Wyatt said. "Those for whom he has worked over the years describe him
as bright, wholesome, energetic and thorough. He is known as an outstanding
leader with impeccable integrity.
"He has proven his ability to direct top-notch athletics programs that
help prepare student athletes for success both in the athletic arena and
in life. His work experience and personal attributes make him an ideal person
to deal with the challenges of directing a program in today's highly competitive
and complex collegiate sports environment," Wyatt said.
"It is indeed an honor to accept the opportunity to direct the intercollegiate
athletic program at one of America's premier universities," Turner
said. "The University's reaffirmation of its commitment to excellence
in athletics makes this position one of the nation's most exciting. My family
and I are looking forward to coming to Vanderbilt, and feel especially proud
to call Nashville home."
Turner, 45, was chosen after a national search by a committee chaired by
Wyatt and composed of members of Vanderbilt's administration, Board of Trust
and faculty as well as former Vanderbilt athletes. The committee was assisted
by the executive search firm of Eastman and Beaudine, Inc., of Dallas.
John Hall, president of the Board of Trust and a member of the search committee,
said, "Todd Turner is the right person for Vanderbilt. I'm delighted
he has agreed to join us. His experience as a successful athletic director
at the University of Connecticut and North Carolina State coupled with his
extensive experience with the University of Virginia athletic department
uniquely qualifies him for the Vanderbilt position. He comes highly recommended
by outstanding leaders in the athletic community."
Hall added, Turner "will need the support of the entire Vanderbilt
community as we all work together to improve our athletic program."
Turner succeeds Paul Hoolahan, who resigned last December and was recently
named executive director of the Sugar Bowl. Women's basketball coach Jim
Foster has served as acting athletic director.
"Todd Turner is creative and energetic," said Gene Corrigan, president
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and commissioner of the
Atlantic Coast Conference. "He works hard for the whole to succeed."
Corrigan, who gave Turner his first job in collegiate athletics, said he
believes "the Vanderbilt faculty will appreciate Todd. He will represent
Vanderbilt in the way it wants to be represented."
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Roy Kramer, who served as Vanderbilt
athletic director from 1978 to 1990, said Turner is "well respected
nationally and has been very active in Atlantic Coast Conference affairs.
He's a good public relations person and gets along well with all types of
people. He'll be a positive factor in building relations in the community
and on campus. He's a take-charge person, an excellent manager and a good
fund-raiser."
At North Carolina State, where Turner was hired in 1990, he designed and
implemented the university's first student-athlete life-skills development
program, known as ImPACK. Under Turner, the graduation rates for student
athletes improved by 12 percentage points in five years. He helped raise
$31 million toward the current $45 million capital campaign goal for athletics.
During Turner's years at N.C. State, the football team went to the Peach
Bowl in 1994 and 1991, the Gator Bowl in 1992 and the Independence Bowl
in 1990. The women's basketball team was among the Sweet Sixteen in 1995
and the men's soccer team was among the Final Four in 1990.
At the University of Connecticut from 1987 to 1990, Turner designed and
implemented the university's first drug education and testing program for
intercollegiate athletics and completed a $5.5 million capital campaign
for a new sports complex. In 1988, UConn's men's basketball team was the
NIT champion and in 1990 it finished among the Final Eight. The women's
basketball team was the Big East Champion in 1989.
Turner's years at the University of Virginia included assignments as associate
director of athletics, director of sports promotions, sports information
director and athletic ticket manager.
"Todd has done just about everything you can do in athletics from the
ticket office to the sports information office to fund-raising to being
a Division I director of athletics. He is an excellent choice and a good
fit for Vanderbilt," said Dick Schultz, executive director of the U.S.
Olympic Committee, former executive director of the NCAA and former director
of athletics at the University of Virginia.
University of Virginia Athletic Director Terry Holland, who was men's basketball
coach while Turner was at Virginia, said Turner has "the academic background
as well as the skills Vanderbilt will require to do an outstanding job.
He's a professional in every sense of the word. He has been a valuable asset
to the Atlantic Coast Conference and we'll hate to lose him. He's been a
positive force for us."
Turner holds a master's of sports administration degree from Ohio University
and received a bachelor of arts in religion from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He is a member of the NCAA Men's Golf Committee and served as chair of the
Men's Committee on Committees. He has served on the College Football Association
Board of Directors and Athletic Directors Committee. He is first vice president
of the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association.
Turner and his wife, Sara Newbold Turner, have four children, Kate, 16,
Allison, 12, Molly, 9, and Drew, 6.
-VU-
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