Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Athletic Hall Of Fame Profile: Bridget Turner
Editor's Note: Today is the seventh edition of a 10-day celebration of this year's Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame induction here at CUBuffs.com, profiling each of this year's inductees, leading up to Saturday's football game against Iowa State. Today, we look at the career of women's basketball standout Bridget Turner. Ten inductees were honored Thursday night in ceremonies at the Omni Interlocken Hotel & Resort. The celebration continues tonight with a women's/men's basketball doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. The honorees will be introduced publicly at halftime of Saturday's game, which kicks off against the Cyclones at 11:30 a.m.
During her time at the University of Colorado, Bridget Turner put together an illustrious career as she and nine others joined the Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday night.
She is CU's sixth-all time leading scorer with 1,599 points and remains the school's all-time leader in assists with 617. But Turner will be the first to tell you that her career meant more than just setting records.
"It meant friendships, it meant growth," Turner said. "I know when I got to CU as a freshman I wasn't very mature. By the time I was a senior I had grown up a lot. It was also a learning experience to overcome difficulty and come out with perseverance."
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| Bridget Turner helped CU earn its first NCAA Tournament berth in 1988. |
"You just don't get a point guard with that much ability," said Barry.
The entire team shared mutual admiration for one another throughout their time together and created memories that will last a lifetime.
"Spending time with teammates and coaches are memories you will always keep with you," Turner said. "Encouraging one another, going through the ups and downs and sharing our success together is something I will never forget."
After being named the Big Eight Player of the Year in her senior season and graduating from CU, Turner took her skills to the Harlem Globetrotters where she would play professional ball for a short time. As a Globetrotter, Turner played on a team of 12 men and traveled all over the world. She became quite talented at living out of a suitcase while with the team, since every day was a new adventure in a new city, state or country.
"You definitely lived and ate basketball," Turner said. "Getting paid for something I loved was a blessing. I didn't take it for granted and I am very thankful I had the opportunity to experience different cultures and meet new people."
Turner's passion in life has taken a new shape. Her most recent endeavor is helping high risk, teenage girls. She is currently a counselor and tutor at Excelsior Youth Center in Aurora for young teens and could not be more thankful.
"What I am doing is definitely a gift from God," Turner said. "Making a difference in young girls' lives is a slam-dunk. I consider it a victory knowing I have helped someone and I feel good about it."
When she is not busy working, you can find Turner enjoying a Denver Nuggets game, helping at her church, visiting museums and on occasion shooting some hoops for fun.
Turner will always be known as one of the best to play Colorado basketball. Her hard work ethic and determination were just some of the strengths she brought to the program. These strengths ultimately helped put CU women's basketball on the map and set a standard for many years to come.