Hall of Fame
Chris Turner ’88 was a standout player on the men’s soccer team. Currently at the time of his induction, Turner is ranked fourth all-time at DeSales in goals scored (42) and points scored (97) after graduating as the all-time leader in both categories.
Turner was a four-year starter, was named team most valuable player twice, was named All-ESAC twice, and was named to the All-NAIA District All-Star team twice. In addition, he was honored as the Male Athlete of the Year in his senior year. Off the field, Turner served as class president for three years, as sports editor for the yearbook and the school newspaper for two years, and as a four-year student manager for the women’s basketball team.
After graduating from DeSales with a degree in business communications, Turner earned his master’s in sports administration from Temple University in 1992.
In 1990, he began working at Philadelphia University as the director of intramural and recreational activities and also as the first-ever head women’s soccer coach. During his three seasons at Philadelphia University, Turner garnered a 26-23-1 record and saw his team ranked as high as #13 in NCAA Division II. He coached three Regional All-Americans and was named Philadelphia University coach of the year.
In December 1993, Turner moved onto Wake Forest University as the head women’s soccer coach and again started a new program. In his three years with Wake Forest, Turner’s teams posted a 33-26-4 record, were ranked as high as #13 nationally, coached four Regional All-Americans, and guided the Demon Deacons to their firstever NCAA Tournament, where they defeated 11th ranked Clemson University in the opening game. He was named the NSCAA Southeast Region Division I Coach of the Year in 1996.
Turner now works as the dean of upper school students and the Forsyth Country Day School. From September 1999 through 2009, he served FCDS as a health/physical education teacher and the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer coach. His teams at FCDS have enjoyed enormous success—winning more than 250 games. They won four state titles and were runner-up twice, and Turner has twice been named the North Carolina High School Coach of the Year.
Turner lives in Advance, N.C., with his wife Sharon, and twin daughters Meghan and Lauren.
