Eldridge O. Turner - 1992

Eldridge grew up in St. Clair County in a little community called Cropwell, Alabama and later moved to Fairfield where he attended Fairfield Industrial High School. There, he participated in two major sports, basketball and football, receiving letters in both and the title of MVP for two consecutive years.  He served as team captain for three years and made the Birmingham World All County Team for the three years. 

Playing four years of football for Alabama A & M College on an athletic scholarship, he was captain of the football team in 1952-53 and 1953-54 and Most Valuable player in 1953-54.  After graduation, Turner was drafted in the U.S. Army.  While serving his country, he also played with the Berlin Bears of Berlin, Germany.  The Berlin Bears won the Rhine Main Conference Championship and he was the Most Valuable Lineman. 

Upon returning home, Turner pursued his educational ambitions.  He earned the MA Degree in Physical Education at Indiana University and did further study at the University of Montevallo, Alabama State University, Miles College, A & M, and the University of Alabama. 

In 1965, Turner joined the then Wenonah State Junior College facility, (now Lawson State Community College).  In 1969, he was instructed by then president, T.A. Lawson to develop a college athletic program, assume administrative duties and teach classes.  Drawing from earlier experiences, Turner brought his spirit of competitiveness and his desire to win to his players. Talented and highly respected by all, he amassed an overall coaching record of 376 wins and just 131 losses.  The Cougars hold the record for the Most Conference games won in three years with 47 wins and 1 loss.  His team also won three consecutive State Junior College Championships, in 1975, ’76, ’77, a record sill unsurpassed today.  They also placed fourth in the National JUCO Tournament in 1977. 

Voted Alabama Junior College Central Division Coach of the year five times, he was also voted 1976-77 Region XVII Coach of the Year.  He has also coached seven All-American players:  Walter McGary, Harvey Murray, Willie High, Jimmy Warren, Gary Sims, Craig Lane, and Johnny High. 

His thirty-four year teaching career at various educational levels includes twenty years as Chairperson of the Health, Physical Educational, and Recreation Department at Lawson State Community College. 

He and his wife Eva reside in Fairfield and have two daughters, Karen and Cynthia.  He is Chairman of the Trustee Board of First Baptist Church of Fairfield and very active in community, educational, political and religious activities in the Greater Birmingham Community.