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There was once a time there was no
Berwick Wrestling.
All things that exist have a beginning,
and the beginning of Berwick Wrestling started with Head Coach Allen Turner.
Coach Turner was instrumental in the initiation of varsity wrestling at
Berwick High School with the Dawg's first official competition starting in
the 1954-1955 season.
Wrestling is an intense sport where one
focuses on today and looks forward through preparation for our tomorrows.
It is important to note; however, how you, as a member of something bigger
than you, came to be.
When we talk about the "pride and
tradition" of Berwick Wrestling, it is essential to not only be
knowledgeable of that which you are a part of, but to recognize those whose
efforts, sweat, determination, and honors and accomplishments contributed to
the success of today's Berwick Wrestling Program.
Berwick Wrestling has come a long way.
Berwick Wrestling still has a distance to travel. When Berwick
Wrestling competes against some of the best teams in the state and country
each year, there are no illusions of grandeur. What there is; however,
is "constant and persistent dedication to the pursuit of
excellence," both individually and as a team.
Our current dedication and efforts will
guide our tomorrows. The dedication and efforts of those who came
before us have brought us to today.
The Berwick Wrestling Program forever
extends it deepest gratitude to one man in particular, to the first head
coach in the history of the Berwick Wrestling Program, to Head Coach Allen
Turner. The "PRIDE & TRADITION" of Berwick Wrestling was
born in the 1954-1955 season under the guidance and determination of Coach
Turner.
Coach Turner didn't just want to start
wrestling at Berwick High School, he wanted to develop it into a
championship program. His entire career profile is one of excellence.
If you are going to do something, be the best you can be in all that you do.
Coach Turner guided the Dawgs for 6
seasons before he had to hand the baton to a successor due to a full-time
administrative position as high school Vice Principal.
Amazingly, the growing pains of the brand
new sport of wrestling in Berwick was short-lived. Only in the first
two seasons (1954/1955 & 1955/1956) under Coach Turner did Berwick incur
losing seasons with records of 1-6 and 1-9 respectively. Those first
two seasons did not phase Coach Turner, and under his expert guidance, he
would not let it affect his new wrestlers.
Coach Turner then ripped off 4
consecutive winning seasons with Berwick Wrestling capturing the old
Keystone Conference Championship title. All this in just 6 years!
The "Pride & Tradition" of
Berwick Wrestling was born.
Berwick Wrestling has just received
written correspondence from Coach Turner as part of a large project
documenting the history of Berwick Wrestling (note that this project may
take 6-8 months to complete). Coach Turner currently lives in Florida
and is doing great! His letter is as follows:
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November 2, 2005
Dear Chuck,
We did not get into much photography 50
some years ago. I would have to go into the Press Enterprise archives
to bring up any pictures.
I have included some pictures of my
transition through the ages (these will be posted in the near future).
As you see, I was a teacher and coach. The 1954 picture was a project
we developed in a Biology class that placed 3rd in the nation in Baltimore.
I started wrestling (Berwick Wrestling)
at the old Third Street High School (currently Berwick YMCA) on an
intramural basis in 1953. This was quite a challenge as no one was
familiar with this sport. We used horsehair mats roped together with a
heavy plastic cover. The kids wanted to know where the ring was.
We entered competition with other schools in the old Keystone Conference.
Development was slow for just a few years but the wrestlers hung in.
Then, in a short five years, we were the first team in the League to beat
Shamokin, and won the Conference Championship with a group of outstanding
wrestlers.
I had to shorten my career in coaching in
1962 due to a full time administrative position as the high school Vice
Principal. In 1965 I became Principal of Northwest High School and
served there 17 years. After moving to Florida, I began working with
the mentally retarded which was a very rewarding experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank you and Ernie (Coach Yates) for continually promoting Berwick
Wrestling.
Sincerely,
Allen B. Turner
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Coach Allen Turner defines the word
excellence. The pursuit of excellence should never be directed in just
one area of your life, such as only in the sport of wrestling. The
pursuit of excellence should be applied in all that you do. Wrestling
should not be just a sport, but a way of life. Coach Turner not only
excelled on the mat, he excelled academically, in his career, and in his
contribution to community.
Coach Allen Turner earned many
prestigious titles in his career as an educator.
The one title that he will never
relinquish, the one we will always bestow upon him with the greatest of
respect and admiration, is: "Coach Turner."
Coach Turner, on behalf of the Berwick
Wrestling Program, thank you for all that you have given of yourself for the
betterment of our youth and wrestling program. You are the one,
the first to emboss the commitment of excellence to our program. Your
efforts have not only created, but have sustained "The Pride &
Tradition of Berwick Wrestling."
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