Turk succeeds Shaw as men's track coach
April 2, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Mike Turk will become the 10th head coach in Western
Michigan University track and field history beginning in the
2002-03 season.
Turk will replace Jack Shaw, who is retiring at the end of this season. The announcement was made by Kathy Beauregard, director of intercollegiate athletics.
"We are pleased to keep Mike Turk on board to head the
men's programs at WMU," said Beauregard. "He has been
a vital part of WMU's success in recent seasons and will do a
fine job of
carrying on the tradition of Western Michigan."
Turk is in his fourth season as Western Michigan's top assistant.
Turk works closely with WMU's throwing and field events. Last
year, he produced an All-American in Dale Cowper and All-MAC
performers in Ryan Blue, Cowper, Mike Hanson, Ndjeka Luhahi,
and Clark Wilson.
Turk came to Western Michigan in August 1998 after spending nine seasons as assistant men's and women's track coach at Marquette. Working with Marquette's throwers and sprinters, Turk produced 28 conference champions, 16 varsity records and 20 NCAA provisional marks.
Turk also served as strength coach and part-time assistant
coach at Marquette, 1992-95. Before that, he spent four seasons
as assistant coach for both the men's and women's track teams
at the
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 1985-89.
A native of Mendota, Ill., Turk earned two letters in track
and three in football at Monmouth College before transferring
to Augustana where he received two letters. He also won the shot
put
title in the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
while at Augustana.
"I want to thank Kathy Beauregard, the administration, and coach Shaw for giving me the opportunity to become a head coach at the division I level," said Turk. "It's a challenge I'm looking forward to, especially with the caliber of student-athletes we currently have in the program."
Media contact: Travis McCurdy, 269 387-3221, travis.mccurdy@wmich.edu