Wayne Turner ’95

Alumni Voices

Wayne Turner ’95

Beaver Reflections:
I left Beaver in 1995, the best class year ever, in my opinion anyway. I started Beaver in 8th grade and it was definitely a change or me. It was one of the most beautiful schools I’ve ever seen. I loved the culture and community. I started at Beaver as a shy kid, but Beaver embraced me. Mr. and Mrs. Newberry would always put in extra time to help me out. Thomas Manning was my coach and acted as my teacher anyway. He made me want to be the best I could be. Mr. Kelly, he was the janitor and was always very encouraging, very positive. I mean there were a lot of great people, a lot of great staff and faculty during my time there. I’m very grateful. If I could go back tomorrow, I would.

What is #happeningnow in your life:
After leaving Beaver, I played basketball at Kentucky and then professional basketball for about 10 years. I bounced around Europe and ended up in Australia, which was amazing. In college, I got this stupid tattoo that said “Wayne’s World” on my arm and, all of a sudden, I’m traveling around the world and I’m thinking, “Okay, so it really is Wayne’s World right now.” I had an opportunity to play with the Boston Celtics, the home team, for a little while and that was great. It’s something I’ll always have to talk about and to remember. In 2010, I turned to coaching. I got my start with John Calipari then continued with Rick Pitino at Louisville until about 2014. There was a gap in between where I went back to Boston and did some developmental coaching. I really have a passion for training kids and developing them. I coached high school this past year in Louisville, Kentucky. Coaching is the best career after playing basketball. I definitely would like to come back and do some free clinics at Beaver.

“Don’t beat yourself up on things that don’t work out the way you planned. It is important to look at the long run of things — sometimes we want specific events to happen right away but often it is better to wait and see how it turns out.”

– Wayne Turner ’95

Advice to Beaver students:
You guys are privileged. There are so many opportunities right in front of you. Just stay confident. You’re a Beaver!

Wayne Turner '95

Beaver Country Day School admits qualified students of any race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, handicap status, national origin or ethnicity to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, handicap status, national origin or ethinicity in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, athletic or other school-administered programs or policies.