My
Recollections of Coach Paul Turner
June 13, 2007
by Scott
Muoio
Paul Turner tips his cap for the camera
Coach Paul Turner passed away at his
home in Allston, MA, on Monday June 10, 2007.
Our condolences go out to his family
during this difficult time. Below is my tribute to my coach and
friend.
I first met Coach Paul Turner February 1995 at Boston’s
Logan Airport. I had just been flown in by Harvard University
for a track and field recruiting trip and Paul was dispatched
by Head Coach Frank Haggerty to pick me up at the airport.
“Look for a round guy with a mustache and a U.S.A. track
and field jacket,” advised Coach Haggerty as he described
his earnest assistant.
When I arrived, sure enough, the description fit Paul to a T.
But what I would soon discover is that there was much more to
Paul than face value: Paul was as boisterous, good-natured, and
serious as anyone I had ever met. And I liked him.
Fast forward six months to the beginning of a new fall semester.
Something about Paul and Frank and the rest of the staff clicked
because when the time came to punch my collegiate ticket I chose
Harvard.
Over my four years at Harvard I took a relatively business-like
attitude about athletics choosing respect and reverence toward
my coaching staff over being their pal or buddy. Paul seemed the
most receptive to my approach and though we were miles apart on
the athletic field (he coached the throws and jumps, I pounded
the pavement and the track with the distance corps) we were quite
similarly obsessed with stats and love of the sport. It was Paul’s
fierce determinism and endless passion that I most admired.
I have many amazing memories of my time running at Harvard and
Paul figures into quite a few of them. Here are some of my favorites:
One year at the Penn Relays, my ever-present parents were sitting
with Paul enjoying the meet. My Mom was nibbling a giant soft
pretzel when she noticed Paul stealing a glance. “Would
you like a piece?” she asked. “Thank you,” replied
Paul, always the southern gentleman, as he took the entire pretzel
from my Mom leaving her empty handed. My parents and I would later
laugh about the faux pas finally admitting “that was Paul,”
in other words, an innocent, friendly guy who really enjoyed his
soft pretzels, even when they weren’t his.
Paul had a taste for some very odd movies. We would learn this
again and again on the many long bus trips we took from Boston
to New York or Boston to wherever. These trips frequently became
the Paul Turner video show whether we liked it or not. I’ll
never forget one particular triple feature he peddled on us that
still has me scratching my head to this day: The Madness of
King George, Shallow Grave, and Judge Dredd.
Peculiar, for sure, but that was Paul. If he were here today I’m
sure he could go on and on praising the merit of these movies
even in the face of the staunchest criticism. And believe you
me, during those bus rides we were all staunch critics!
One afternoon during the Houston spring break trip, a few of
us decided to race our borrowed bicycles around the Rice University
track. Meanwhile, Paul was working with high jumper Dora Gyorffy
at the pit in the center of the track. As we quickly entered the
oval and raced around our first lap I’ll never forget Paul
charging onto the track, frantically waiving his arms for us to
watch out and stay away from his prized jumper. Paul certainly
had a point as Dora was awesome, but Paul’s fierce protection
of his athletes in the face of a less-than menacing group of circling
bicycles still makes me laugh to this day.
Speaking of the annual Houston trip, no doubt Paul was one of
its biggest fans. Over my four years he would often regale us
with stories of the famous Good Company Barbecue and
all his favorite items they served. I would enjoy their grub on
numerous occasions during my trips often sitting a few tables
away from good ol’ Paul, himself. Paul took his love to
literally another level, though, backing up his words by feasting
at his barbecue mecca almost daily. Just like with his coaching,
when Paul was stirred with passion he would give his all.
In my opinion, nowhere will you find a more loyal, passionate
man than Paul Turner. He was a good guy, a knowledgeable coach,
and someone I will always remember fondly as a wonderful part
of my four year Harvard track and field experience.
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