Valerie Turtle (2014) - Hall of Fame - Colby-Sawyer College Athletics

Hall of Fame

Valerie Turtle

Class

1970
Induction

2014
Sport(s)

Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Field Hockey

In an era before Title IX, Valerie Turtle made the most of her opportunities. She was competitive and talented as she represented Colby Junior College in field hockey, basketball and tennis, and earned the college's Physical Education Department award her senior year After graduating in 1970, Valerie continued her education at the University of Vermont. There, she accomplished a feat unheard of in modern athletics; she competed in five varsity sports: field hockey, tennis, nordic skiing, lacrosse and volleyball. She was given the UVM Physical Education Department Award in her senior year. After UVM, Valerie carried her determination, skill and pride to coaching positions at Milton Academy, Mount Holyoke, Springfield College (where she coached 8 All-American swimmers) and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was an integral part of the New England Women's Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association (NEWISDA) in the late '70s and held several key positions, including President, Ethics and Eligibility Chair and NEWISDA Championship Meet Director. She was also a National Collegiate Women's Swimming Coaches Association Board of Directors Division II representative and a member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Division II Swimming and Diving Sport Committee. In the mid-1980s, Valerie shifted from coaching teams to coaching individuals as a financial advisor. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, CLTC-Certified in Long-Term Care, and runs an Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services practice. Valerie recently headed a volunteer committee at UVM to recognize and honor the pre-Title IX women athletes and to award them their Varsity Certificates.

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