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Inez Turner, the head Track and Field coach at Fayetteville State University, has lots of trophies and awards in her office. Two Thousand and Nineteen was a spectacular year for the former Vere Technical High School (Jamaica) track star. During 2019, Inez was inducted into the Texas State University Hall of Fame; she had her 5th induction on the Penn Relays Wall of Fame and won her 12th CIAA Coach of the Year title. Coach Turner, who hails from Trelawny, Jamaica, is no stranger to track and field. She has competed and represented her island nation at all levels of competition from the regional CARIFTA Games to the Olympics. Inez won gold in the 800m at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada and has the distinction of becoming the first Caribbean woman to go sub-2 minutes in the 800m, when she ran 1:59.49 in 1995. She was also a 2-time NCAA champion at Texas State University.
After spending several years at Winston-Salem University as an assistant coach, Coach Turner was hired to resurrect the track program at Fayetteville. Inez is now in her third season there. The affable Turner was given free reign and was able to hire her own coaching staff. Coach Turner is a driven, determined and likeable mother and wife. But what makes her such a winner? TrackLedger (TL) recently caught up with her.
TL: Congrats on your induction into the Texas State University Hall of Fame. How do you feel about your Texas State University Hall of Fame Induction?
Inez: It was a true blessing to be considered among the greatest athletes to compete as Bobcats. The induction let me know that my efforts on the track on behalf of Texas State University were recognized, appreciated and treasured. I now know that I am cherished at my college home and I am very, very grateful. It was an amazing weekend.
TL: How has your experience at Vere Technical prepared you for your time at Texas State University?
Inez: Vere Technical and my coach Constantine Haughton developed me as a person, an athlete and as a Jamaican. I entered a talented little girl and emerged as a force in track and field and an ambassador of Jamaica. Vere Tech was the laboratory in which all the ingredients for success were instilled in me to share my talents at Texas State and the world.
TL: What are some of your accomplishments competing for Texas State?
Inez: I was undefeated for two years on the track. I ran the 4x1, 200, 400, 800 and 4x4. I was the Southland Conference Athlete of the Year, twice. I won two NCAA Championships titles in the 800m. I still hold school records in the 400, 800 and 1000.
TL: Coach Turner you have competed at the Carifta Games, Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics, which experience stand out most to you?
Inez: Each has different and special meaning to me as an athlete and in my perpetration, but I have to say the victory at the Commonwealth Games was the one race that all of Jamaica will always remember. As will I. That race allowed me to prove that I was a world class athlete and that when I stepped to the line, the world knew that Jamaica was a threat to win events other than sprints and hurdles. I ran for my country, my family and for those who came after me. I thank my God and my country every day for all that I have achieved.
TL: Twenty nineteen is a very good year for you, can you comment on your recent induction into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame as a student at Vere Tech?
Inez: Being inducted with your teammates is such a wonderful feeling because Vere Tech is being recognized and it’s not just me alone. I love my teammates and some of them came to my induction at Texas State. This was my fifth time (a record for Penn Relays) and I was allowed to share with some of my greatest fans and one of my sacred places. The Penn Relays hold a special place in my heart, not only because of the numerous titles and accolades, but also because my husband took me there for our first date in 2012 (it’s his hometown) and because you can feel the love in every inch of that stadium. Philadelphia is my second home.
TL: Why did you choose coaching?
Inez: Coaching chose me! And I’m fortunate and grateful that it did. Mentoring, developing and watching young athletes get their degrees is such a rewarding experience. I can truly say I am proud of the profession and impact that we as coaches have on society and young lives. All that I do is a tribute to my parents, my teachers, my coaches, the athletes, parents, assistant coaches and administrators I’ve worked with.
TL: How do you feel about coaching the next generation of track athletes?
Inez: We work with the next generation of teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, life savers, pastors, artists and technical geniuses. My emphasis is the education. Athletics is a vehicle to achieve the goals and careers that they come to school to obtain. It is truly an honor to be in position to prepare them, but they also honor me and our program every time one [athlete] walks across that stage for graduation.
TL: I know that you are now the Head Coach at Fayetteville State University, what is it like for Inez Turner?
Inez: Isn’t it good to be wanted? I am a believer in taking on new challenges. I was asked to help make history at the university by my athletic director, Anthony Bennet and I accepted the opportunity. It has been a good and rewarding transition. The university fully supports our plan and students.
TL: Didn't you build the Fayetteville State track program from scratch?
Inez: No, there was a foundation established by Mr. Bennet and his staff. The university and department believed in me and we went to work to deliver on our promise to build a successful program. There were talented students at Fayetteville State when I arrived, but there weren’t enough to fill a track team. The school only had cross country prior to my arrival. It had been 20 years since they had a team. The key is always recruiting, selling the academics and the program and then setting up practice and competition schedules. We established an attitude of winning before we ever stepped into our first competition.
TL: Do you enjoy the recruiting process?
Inez: Yes, I love going to meets and meeting parents, coaches and athletes. There are few things greater than seeing an athlete develop into a champion. One of our greatest accomplishments is how we develop North Carolina talent and watch them evolve into champions. There were five young ladies from the state on our winning cross-country team. And amazingly, we have had the MVP for cross country in the last three years and each year it has been a different runner. All three are on the roster now.
TL: I notice you have quite a few Caribbean athletes on your roster; tell us about your current group of athletes?
Inez: We currently have athletes from Jamaica and the Bahamas. We also have Kenya and many North Carolina athletes on the team. I believe we are all Fayetteville State University first and foremost. We are a family and then a team. Yes, I go and get the athletes that want to be a part of what we have to offer, but once they get here, we are all Broncos.
TL: Did I see where several athletes from your program qualified for the NCAA?
Inez: Jerinique Brooks and Tawana Allen were All-Americans in the 200 and 400, respectively. They were the first two female All-Americans in the history of Fayetteville State University. The 4x100 team also qualified and competed in the NCAA Championships.
TL: Where do you go from here?
Inez: As always, we go back to work! Every day someone somewhere is training to beat us. We respect that, but make sure it is known we are training with the same goal in mind. We don’t go into competitions just to compete. We train to win and expect to win, on the track and in the classroom.
TL: Do you still visit Vere Tech when you get a chance?
Inez: Every chance I get. I love my school. Vere Tech has been good to me and to my sisters. Janice and Evette were school champions and received scholarships to compete in America, also.
TL: Any final words?
Inez: I always want to thank God, for without him there would be no me. I thank Jamaica for always supporting and believing in me. I praise and thank my former coach, whom I know is in heaven watching down on not only me but all his former athletes. I thank my fans. I thank my university. I thank my family and I thank you and all the media that allow me to reach young people and encourage them to follow their dreams.
Inez Turner Photo courtesy of Fayetteville State University
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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