LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Motlow State welcomed a new Athletic Director this week and one of his first moves will be to charge admission at local games to help programs keep pace with rising costs. The Lynchburg community college announced on Thursday that Vincent Turner became its new Athletic Director, effective September 1.

“A few changes will have to take place to keep pace with the rising costs of supporting our student-athletes. Our costs have increased dramatically in the last couple of years, especially travel and accommodations,” Turner stated in a press release.

The first two home soccer matches on September 16 and 18 will feature free admission with donations accepted. After those two games, Motlow will charge $6 for admittance to all home athletic events. Children under 10 will be admitted free. Motlow students, faculty, and staff get free admission with a Motlow ID.

A Detroit native with Clarksville roots

Turner comes to Motlow from Delta College, a NJCAA Division II school in Michigan, where he was head men’s basketball coach. Before his time at Delta, Turner was the head boys basketball coach at Northwest High School in Clarksville. During his 20 years of coaching basketball, Turner has had stops at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Fredrick Douglass High School, and Wayne County Community College.

“I’m happy and blessed to be a part of the Motlow family,” said Turner. “I’m determined to make every student-athlete’s time at Motlow an experience they will cherish forever. We will win each day in the classroom, on the field or court, on our campuses, and in the community.”

Turner was born in Detroit, but with his father in the military, he was raised between military bases in Detroit and Clarksville. After high school in Clarksville, he played for Lake Kelly at Austin Peay State University before transferring to finish his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan.

He is married to Heather Turner, and they have four children – India, Jazmin, Vincent, Jr., and Tyee – and five grandchildren. He enjoys family time and playing golf and is a proud Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity member.

Turner will be introduced to the community when Motlow opens its new soccer field this Saturday, September 16. The Bucks, winners of four straight and ranked in the NJCAA Top 20 poll, will host Spartanburg Methodist from South Carolina at 5 p.m. on the Moore County campus.

You can follow the Bucks online at this link. •

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