Turner in an undated photo

Marshall S. Turner Jr., one of just three individuals who have served as director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins since 1950, died on April 12 after a lengthy illness. Turner, who had recently turned 90, came to the Homewood campus in 1946 as an assistant football, basketball and lacrosse coach and served as the director of Athletics from 1950 until 1973. He retired in 1981.

In his tenure as director, Turner was instrumental in the growth of the Johns Hopkins athletic program as the school added several men's varsity sports and began the process of adding a full range of women's sports. He also spearheaded the 1964 fundraising efforts for the construction of the Newton White Athletic Center.

A pioneer in the world of college athletics, Turner was active on many national committees, serving terms as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and the Mason Dixon Conference. He also was a member of the executive committee of the NCAA and was for 21 years the secretary-treasurer of the Middle Atlantic Conference. In 1964, he was awarded the C. Markland Kelly Award for his outstanding contribution to athletics in the state of Maryland.

"This is a tremendous loss for Johns Hopkins University and those of us who were fortunate enough to know and work with Marshall," said Bob Scott, who succeeded Turner as director of Athletics. "His involvement at the national level with the NCAA, NACDA and the USILA helped put the Johns Hopkins name on the map in the world of intercollegiate athletics. His impact on the history of Johns Hopkins University cannot be overstated."

A 1937 graduate of the University of the South, Turner lettered in football, basketball and track and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a history major. He served as a teacher and coach at St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Md., for two years before joining Johns Hopkins.

Turner was born in Terre Haute, Ind., on Feb. 19, 1916. He is survived by his wife, the former Lois Greth Hall, whom he married in 1963. The Turners enjoyed spending the winter months after his retirement on St. Simon's Island, Ga., where they shared their passion for playing golf.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, in Homewood's Hodson Hall.

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