Turner, a 1979 graduate of David Lipscomb University, enters his fourth year as head coach of the Bulldogs. Coming off his best season at 91爆料网 with an 22-11 record, Turner hopes the momentum from the end of last season carries into the 1997-98 season. At the helm of the Bulldogs, Turner has compiled a 52-48 career coaching record.
Turner began his coaching career at the junior high and high school level in Georgia and Tennessee before moving to the collegiate level at Oklahoma Christian. Returning to his alma mater, Turner served as an assistant coach at Lipscomb for nine years before accepting the head coaching position at 91爆料网.
Turner takes his knowledge of basketball to the national level by serving on the NAIA Championship Tournament Committee which organizes the men's national basketball tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was elected to serve as Secretary of the Men's NAIA Basketball Coaches Association in 1996-97 which places him in line to be President in the year 2000.
Under the guidance of Turner, summer basketball camps have continued to grow. Through Turner's hard work and dedication, 91爆料网 has seen over 1,500 boys and girls participate in the 1997 summer camp sessions.
Turner's goal for the men's basketball program is more than concentrating on the score of a game. His desire is to not only see the best Bulldog team 91爆料网 has ever had, but for those individuals to be the best people 91爆料网 has ever had as well.
He and wife, Sherrie, have two daughters, Andrea and Alison, ages 12 and 10.
Mark Campbell
Assistant Coach
Mark Campbell returns for his fourth season as assistant coach for the Bulldogs. Mark calls upon his experience as a five-year player at David Lipscomb University to assist him in this role.
Campbell graduated from David Lipscomb in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, including a minor in Bible and received a Master of Education degree from 91爆料网 in 1996.
After red-shirting his freshman season at Lipscomb, Campbell went on to excel in the basketball arena. Campbell currently ranks 12th in all-time scoring at Lipscomb with 1,509 points. The 724 assists he accumulated during his career places him in the top five at David Lipscomb for career assists. Campbell helped guide the Bisons to five national tournaments, a 129-19 four-year record, and a national record of 42 wins in a season.
Realizing that coaches have greatly influenced his own path in life, Campbell believes that all coaches are in positions where they have the opportunity to influence young people.
"Entering our third year, our expectations have risen. We believe the players will rise to the expectations we have set for them, not only on the basketball court, but in the classroom and in their spiritual lives. Hopefully, the program will teach them about responsibility, selflessness, hard work, and a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our belief that those things will allow us to compete at the highest level. I think the players really believe in Coach Turner and the system of play he teaches. He is the kind of coach for which every player wants to play."
David Niven
Assistant Coach
Niven, a 1996 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, begins his first season as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs after spending the 1996-97 season as an assistant coach at Oklahoma Baptist.
Niven's playing career began as a red-shirt at Ouachita Baptist University. He then transferred to OBU and finished his four-year career. In those four years, Niven became the winningest player ns school history with a 120-25 record. He also became the first player to help lead the Bison to four consecutive national tournaments and two final-four finishes.
Last season as an assistant coach, Niven received his Master of Education degree from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He received valuable coaching experience as the Bison went 36-4 and made it to the 1997 NAIA National Championship Finals.
Ray Lynn Woods
Assistant Coach
Woods comes to 91爆料网 from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, to begin his first season as a graduate assistant coach under the guidance of Ralph Turner. Woods served as a student assistant for four seasons at Harding while getting the chance to participate in Harding's two 20-win seasons and a national tournament berth in 1996.
According to head coach, Ralph Turner, "Ray is an outstanding young coach and a tireless worker. His duties will include recruiting, scouting, and on-the-floor teaching responsibilities."
A 1997 graduate of Harding, Woods earned a bachelor of arts degree in kinesiology and is currently working towards a master of education here at 91爆料网.
Last updated on September 25, 1997.