Double honors for Knoxville’s Elston Turner

By Steve Williams

Elston Turner enjoyed one treat after another.

First on Saturday, July 19, the Knoxville product was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in Nashville in honor of his basketball career which has touched all levels – high school, college and the NBA.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Turner.

Two days later in Knoxville, Turner walked into the Clifford H. Ross Gymnasium at Austin-East High School for the start of his annual summer youth basketball camp and one of the first things he saw was his signature on the floor – Elston Turner Court.

He flashed a big smile!

Sanford Miller, a teammate of Elston’s when the Roadrunners won the TSSAA state championship in 1977, was on hand to film the special moment.

“It blew me away,” said Turner. “It’s their way of saying ‘Well done.’ and ‘Thank you.’”

There have been well over 30 Elston Turner Summer Camps and the first one was in 1986. This year’s camp marked the 10th presented by Emerald Youth Foundation.

“I come back to give back,” said Turner.

“This is my hometown and as long as I’m able, I’ll keep coming back.”

Elston also complimented the Emerald Youth Foundation. “It does a really good job in the city. I wish we had an Emerald Youth Foundation when I grew up.”

Fifty youngsters signed up in each camp – the elementary camp and the middle and high school camp.

“Scholarships also were given with a lot of donations in the community,” said Turner. “Coach Ross’ daughter, Pat, made a big donation for the Ross family. The whole city contributes.”

Over the past 10 years, the E.T. Basketball Camp has blended the Fundamentals of Basketball with the Fundamentals of Life for the unified purpose of achieving greatness from the inside/out, said Jeff Tate, an assistant coach at the camp and a 1982 Fulton High graduate.

Tate also has a big hand in F.O.C.U.S. – a mentoring program added as a bonus for the youth attending the camp to provide self awareness, inclusiveness and resilience.

The actionable acronym that outlines the principles are: (F)aith, (O)bedience, (C)ommitment, (U)nderstanding, (S)elf-Control. Such has been the cornerstone and catalyst for successful living beyond the Court!

 

ELSTON TURNER CAMP VOLUNTEERS

Vernie McDuffey

Sanford Miller

Jeff Tate

Jeff Brown

Roberta Roberts

Erin Moseley

Raymond Moseley

Bruce Taylor

Jeff Tate

Terri Kellogg

Kim Jones

Vickie Johnson

Jose Gutierrey

Pat Netherland

Ervin Davis

Rodney Jones

Rob Jones

Tim McAnelley

Greg Smith

Dorethea Campbell (Security)