Head Coach Thomas Turner
I, Thomas Turner, have well over 20 years experience playing the game of basketball. I started playing basketball at the age of 3. Growing up in a single family home with my dad and younger sister, I had to mature faster than other kids because of my dad having to work long hours to take care of our family. With my dad working all the time there was no one to check or make sure that I studied or did my assignments. I do not blame my father for not having a lot of time to focus on his kids, he was providing for us. But, with education not being a priority, that frame of mind followed me up through junior high and high school. As I continued to play all sports, my ability to play basketball began to improve.
As a matter of fact, my talents grew to the point to where my education was not a focus to me or my coaches. I can honestly say that I cannot remember my coaches I have played for or even the coaches that I have played against, ever asking me how my grades were. I excelled at the junior high level which was the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade at that time, but did not honestly have the grades to be eligible. Then on to high school, as a 10th grader I excelled enough to be a starter on the varsity team. Then my 11th and 12th grade year had come and during my entire high school career I only had a GPA of 2.0, which was enough to be eligible, but I had not really even earned that. Because I was the star player at that time, it did not matter as long as I could play basketball.
My high school resume was quite impressive (see below). I was recruited like a lot of highly touted basketball players would be, but something changed towards the end of my senior year. The Division I schools were no longer recruiting or visiting me. I wondered what had gone wrong. Well, it was because of my academics. To make matters worse, I did not even qualify for the SAT’s which only required a 700 at that time. So, I could not even go Division I and sit out a year.
I was so angry at my coaches and my father for letting this happen to me and to add insult to injury, I had to decide on the smaller colleges on my own. I remember sitting in my room all alone trying to decide if I should go to Juco or one of these small colleges I had never heard of. I finally decided to go to Mount Olive College. I thought, Ok, I go to this college for 1 year, get my grades up, then go Division I. Now I am into my freshman year and doing okay with my school work. The second semester begins and I have my basketball coach for 3 of my 5 classes. I can honestly say that I did not attend one of my coach’s classes and had a B average up until he got the news that I was looking to transfer. All of a sudden I was down to a D average by the end of the second semester. Because of that my dreams of playing Division I were over, but I was determined to leave MOC because of the damage that was done.
I received the opportunity to attend Gardner Webb University on a full scholarship. Not Division I, but I a top 10 school nationally at the Division II level. At that time my coach was one of the winningest coaches at the Division II level, but he was only graduating about 28% of his athletes and it showed. I rarely went to class and yet still had the grades to stay eligible. I knew that I did not deserve the grade but I was okay with it as long as I could play basketball. The relationships that my coach had with the staff were beneficial to all of his players. See, Gardner Webb University was a school where Division I talent came if they did not make the grade.
Then going into my junior year, my teammates and I got hit with a bombshell! Our coach whom we loved was fired due to his graduation percentage. Then I thought, “What am I going to do now?” “Should I transfer or should I hang around and see who the new coach would be?” I had already made good friends and teammates and did not want to start over at another small school, so I stayed. GWU announces the new coach. He comes from a program that does not have a high winning percentage, but he had an impressive graduation percentage of about 90%. From what some of the staff told me, that is the direction that GWU wanted to go. I am confused and wondering what I am going to do now. Is this new coach going to help me or hinder me?
It turns out that I became the hindrance to my team and coaching staff. I was so far behind that I could not catch up academically. I was not a dependable teammate because I could not remain eligible to play. That is why I started this organization, student-athletes need to know the importance of an education, getting good grades, and being a dependable teammate. They are all very important during that time in their lives.
Turner’s Accomplishments:
McDonald’s All-American, 1987
North Carolina East West All-Star game, 1987
All-State, North Carolina, 1st team, 1987
All East North Carolina, 1st team, 1987
Player of the Year, North Carolina, All Region, 1987
Player of the Year, North Carolina, All District, 1987
Player of the Year, Mideastern 4A Conference, 1987
Player of the Year, Onslow County, 1986 & 1987
Most Valuable Player, Jacksonville High School, 1986 & 1987
Gardner-Webb University 1987-1992
Assistant Coach Andrea D. Jackson
Coach Andrea D. Jackson hails from Texas by way of Texas City (near Houston). Having recently relocated to Carolina, 31 year-old, Andrea Jackson, is new to the Charlotte area but in no way is she a beginner to team sports & athletic competition. Andrea has always had a love for leisurely endeavors of all kinds. In her earlier years, Jackson was heavily involved in many exciting extracurricular activities growing up.
Coach Andrea D. Jackson hails from Texas by way of Texas City (near Houston). Having recently relocated to Carolina, 31 year-old, Andrea Jackson, is new to the Charlotte area but in no way is she a beginner to team sports & athletic competition. Andrea has always had a love for leisurely endeavors of all kinds. In her earlier years, Jackson was heavily involved in many exciting extracurricular activities growing up.
Since the age of 7, she has participated in ballet/tap & jazz, twirling and gymnastics. Subsequently, junior high school marked the burgeoning of a beautiful relationship for Andrea because there rested a growing affinity for the game of basketball. Embarking upon this incredible sport in 7th grade and finishing at the national junior college level, the intense desire to compete on the hardwood blossomed into something pretty special for Coach Jackson.
“Whether on the playground, in the gym or in the driveway, basketball moves me.”
-- Coach Andrea D. Jackson
Adored and respected by coaches and teammates alike, she was considered, a “natural” like the best in the game. Also deemed a “silent leader” and the “emotional floor general”, her God-given talent was impeccable and unheralded from the start. It was apparent early on that she had a gift. Her infatuation for the game led way to the establishment of a driven work ethic much like that of the old saying, “practice makes perfect”. Dribbling through cones and shooting hundreds of jump shots in the driveway daily after homework and housework became a usual “day in the life of” for Coach Jackson. From junior high school to college, she held the position of co-captain year after year. Thus, she is no stranger to leadership. Jackson flourished at the shooting and point guard positions. She earned a starting spot on the La Marque Lady Cougars Varsity Basketball team as a sophomore in addition to earning the privilege to play at the highest level for the last 5 games of her freshman season. As a former high school standout, her dedication garnered her district scoring title champion status and MVP honors junior and senior year. Coach Jackson states, “With basketball, I learned about a crucial element conducive to both sports and life: commitment.” I presume that it was this very thing called commitment that won Andrea a two-year athletic scholarship to San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, TX. Known for her energy, vivaciousness and tenacity, it was there at the Ju-co level that she earned her newest nickname amongst her peers, coaches and teammates: “Engine”.
“Basketball taught me the significance of teamwork, honor, integrity and respect (for self &
Adored and respected by coaches and teammates alike, she was considered, a “natural” like the best in the game. Also deemed a “silent leader” and the “emotional floor general”, her God-given talent was impeccable and unheralded from the start. It was apparent early on that she had a gift. Her infatuation for the game led way to the establishment of a driven work ethic much like that of the old saying, “practice makes perfect”. Dribbling through cones and shooting hundreds of jump shots in the driveway daily after homework and housework became a usual “day in the life of” for Coach Jackson. From junior high school to college, she held the position of co-captain year after year. Thus, she is no stranger to leadership. Jackson flourished at the shooting and point guard positions. She earned a starting spot on the La Marque Lady Cougars Varsity Basketball team as a sophomore in addition to earning the privilege to play at the highest level for the last 5 games of her freshman season. As a former high school standout, her dedication garnered her district scoring title champion status and MVP honors junior and senior year. Coach Jackson states, “With basketball, I learned about a crucial element conducive to both sports and life: commitment.” I presume that it was this very thing called commitment that won Andrea a two-year athletic scholarship to San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, TX. Known for her energy, vivaciousness and tenacity, it was there at the Ju-co level that she earned her newest nickname amongst her peers, coaches and teammates: “Engine”.
“Basketball taught me the significance of teamwork, honor, integrity and respect (for self &
others); which are core values that I wholeheartedly believe in and live by.
-- Coach Andrea D. Jackson
Coaches Credo
“Things have come full-circle and now I feel that it is my time to give back, with the intent to impart character and instill all of the positive lessons that I learned as a student-athlete. My passion for the game is unyielding and burns deeply inside. Equally inherent is my passion for people. And within that passion, lay compassion. As such, my experience as a personal fitness trainer only ignited that fervor for helping, touching and moving individuals. As we strive for excellence, (on the court and in the classroom), I wish to teach good sportsmanship while building character and courage in our youth so that they realize their full potential and find purpose. I believe that motivated, inspired individuals with hope and an aspiration to reach a unified, collective goal equates to a team of winners in any facet of life. As an assistant coach, it is within Back2Basix Basketball that will enable me to give purpose to a myriad of fine, young individuals and student-athletes.”
Inspiring youth is right up her alley. For the past 3 years, back home, Coach Jackson spent many hours volunteering as a “Room Mom” at CCISD’s Gilmore Elementary for Mrs. Williams’ first grade class. Retaining such attributes as being a “people person” & a “team player” and always possessing a desire to encourage and motivate others, Coaching is ideal for Andrea. With over 10+ years of team sport experience, specifically with basketball, she has also earned a B.S. in Fitness & Human Performance from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (UHCL) in 2007. Coach Jackson is also currently employed as a certified personal fitness trainer at Sports & Fitness (University) in Charlotte through Advanced Body Solutions.
Coaches Credo
“Things have come full-circle and now I feel that it is my time to give back, with the intent to impart character and instill all of the positive lessons that I learned as a student-athlete. My passion for the game is unyielding and burns deeply inside. Equally inherent is my passion for people. And within that passion, lay compassion. As such, my experience as a personal fitness trainer only ignited that fervor for helping, touching and moving individuals. As we strive for excellence, (on the court and in the classroom), I wish to teach good sportsmanship while building character and courage in our youth so that they realize their full potential and find purpose. I believe that motivated, inspired individuals with hope and an aspiration to reach a unified, collective goal equates to a team of winners in any facet of life. As an assistant coach, it is within Back2Basix Basketball that will enable me to give purpose to a myriad of fine, young individuals and student-athletes.”
Inspiring youth is right up her alley. For the past 3 years, back home, Coach Jackson spent many hours volunteering as a “Room Mom” at CCISD’s Gilmore Elementary for Mrs. Williams’ first grade class. Retaining such attributes as being a “people person” & a “team player” and always possessing a desire to encourage and motivate others, Coaching is ideal for Andrea. With over 10+ years of team sport experience, specifically with basketball, she has also earned a B.S. in Fitness & Human Performance from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (UHCL) in 2007. Coach Jackson is also currently employed as a certified personal fitness trainer at Sports & Fitness (University) in Charlotte through Advanced Body Solutions.
“...Basketball moves me, but touching lives and making a difference is what I live for.”
QUALIFICATIONS
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12+ years of team sport experience: Basketball
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Vast knowledge of the game: Basketball
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Student-Athlete (Since 1993), High Basketball IQ
EXPERIENCE
Player
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7th & 8th Grade – La Marque Jr. High School Lady Cougars
SF/SG, Starter [Co-Captain] 1993 – 1994 -
Freshman (A Team) – La Marque High School Lady Cougars
District 23-4A–Region III, Texas 1994 – 1995
SG, Starter [Captain] -
Varsity – La Marque High School Lady Cougars
District 23-4A–Region III, Texas 1995 – 1997
SG, Starter [Co-Captain]
- HONORS:
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All-District Second Team (1995)
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All-District First Team (1996, 1997)
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District Scoring Title Champion (1997) – [19.9 ppg, 4.7 assists]
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Bay Area MVP Award (1997)
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Galveston Daily News Player of the Year (1997)
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Awarded Two Year Athletics Scholarship – San Jac
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Junior College – San Jacinto College North
NJCAA-Region XIV , Texas Lady Gators
SG, Starter [Co-Captain] 1997 – 1999
EDUCATION:
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Bachelor of Science, Fitness & Human Performance December 2007
University of Houston (Clear Lake)
Concentration: Exercise Science
Concentration: Exercise Science
Assistant Coach Torres