University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Daryl Turner
2/7/2020 5:59:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Daryl Turner is a four-year letterwinner for the men's swimming and diving team. In his freshman season, Turner was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week four times. He was a member of three relay teams at the 2014 NCAA Championships and was an All-American in the 200 free relay. Turner had the Gophers' top times in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 back and 100 fly during the 2014-15 season and was Minnesota's top point scorer at the 2015 Big Ten Championships with 53 points. Turner earned All-America Honorable Mention in the 200 medley relay at the 2016 NCAA Championship. In his senior season, he was named CSCAA All-America Honorable Mention.
Turner was active in the community and served with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), while he was a Gopher. He urges student-athletes to follow their gut, listen to their bodies, and make sure they are always on the same page as their coaches. He understands that these are important lessons that can guide student-athletes to a successful collegiate career. Since graduating, Turner has pursued a career in the airline industry, spending his time traveling. His ultimate career goal is to become a corporate emergency response coordinator for an airline or in a similar field within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He enjoyed watching the 2019-2020 Gopher football team's successful and historic season and continues to workout in the gym and drop by a local swim class to get in the pool again.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black history is a reminder of what African Americans had to endure in the past and how far we have come. People of color still have so far to go when it comes to racism, prejudice, acceptance, etc., and Black History Month shows us there is hope in the teachings and examples of numerous Black leaders both past and present.
How have you been influenced or inspired by other black athletes, role models, or leaders in your life?
Growing up swimming I never saw many other swimmers who looked like me until I saw the likes of Dax Hill and Cullen Jones, both very prominent Black swimmers in the collegiate and Olympic scenes. It was amazing seeing people of color thrive in a white dominated sport and I set out to be like them.