Inez Turner’s 10th Hall of Fame honour caps enduring legacy

Jamaican track and field icon Dr Inez Turner continues to cement her legacy in global sport, with her latest honour - induction into the Barton Community College Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 - marking the 10th Hall of Fame recognition of her storied career.

Turner, a 16-time NJCAA All-American, will be enshrined on Saturday, January 17 at the Kirkman Student Activity Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

Speaking exclusively to STAR Sports after news of her induction broke, Turner described the honour as deeply meaningful, noting Barton's pivotal role in shaping both her athletic and personal journey.

"I am truly humbled and grateful for yet another prestigious recognition," Turner said.

"This will mark my 10th Hall of Fame induction. What a blessing, and what a powerful start to 2026. It assures me that my year will be great and full of glory."

BARTON LEGACY

Turner remains one of the most accomplished athletes in Barton Community College history and still holds multiple school records.

Her most enduring achievement came in 1993 when she captured the Division I NJCAA Championship in the 800 metres, setting a championship record that remains unbroken more than three decades later.

That performance helped establish Turner as one of the premier middle-distance runners in junior college athletics and laid the foundation for her progression to the highest levels of international competition.

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

Turner went on to represent Jamaica at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, adding Olympic status to a resume that already featured world-class collegiate success. She also earned numerous accolades throughout her competitive career, both on the track and later in coaching and administration.

Today, Turner continues to shape the next generation of athletes as Senior Woman Administrator and Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach at Fayetteville State University, where she is widely respected for her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to athlete development.

She recently celebrated her 54th birthday on January 5, marking another milestone in a life defined by excellence and service to sport.

HONOURING THE MENTOR

The Barton induction carries special emotional weight for Turner, who described the institution as "the first soil in the United States that I placed my foot on in 1992".

She paid glowing tribute to her first United States(US)-based college coach, Randy Cole, crediting him as a cornerstone of her success.

"If coach Randy Cole did not lay the groundwork of care, emotional support, and belief, my legacy in the US would not be possible," she said.

"We were far from home, overseas, and he became like a father to us."

Turner recalled making her first World Championships team while at Barton, a breakthrough she attributes directly to Cole's mentorship. Many Jamaican athletes and Olympians, she noted, also passed through Barton under his guidance.

In a fitting full-circle moment, Cole will play a central role in the upcoming ceremony, with Turner confirming he will formally present her induction.

"To have him still here, sharing this moment with me, is something I truly cherish," she added. "Now, years later, to share the collegiate platform with him as fellow coaches is pure joy."

As she prepares for her latest induction, Dr Inez Turner stands as one of Jamaica's most decorated and influential figures in collegiate athletics - a trailblazer whose impact continues to resonate across generations.