Turek Receives Rogers Award

At the Upper School Final Assembly, the Alumni Association honored head track and field coach John Turek as the 2024 Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award recipient. The award, now in its 27th year, recognizes a member of the faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions above and beyond their assigned responsibilities.   

  

The award was presented jointly by Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini and Alumni Association President Jamie Rogers ’85 — who is also the grandson of Life Trustee Ralph B. Rogers. 

  

“While he consistently produces collegiate, professional, and Olympic-level athletes, at the core of his coaching is something much more than intense training and competitive hunger,” said Dini. “It is the reputation of a young man’s character and the importance of succeeding as a team.”  

 

Since joining St. Mark’s in 1996, Coach Turek has become one of the most decorated coaches in SPC history. He inspires boys daily, molding them into disciplined, accountable, and caring men, and preparing them to pass the baton to younger Marksmen to be the same.  

 

Turek was one of three 2024 Rogers Awards finalists announced at Spring Alumni Dinner in April. Dr. Gabby Reed, Director of Marksman Wellness, and John Mead, Eugene McDermott Master Teaching Chair in Science were also named finalists for this year's Rogers Award.  

  

The Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award was established by the St. Mark’s Alumni Association in 1998 to recognize members of the faculty and staff for their pioneering contributions to the school. This award is named for the late Ralph Rogers, a visionary St. Mark’s leader who shaped some of the most important foundational principles and values of this School. Over the past several months, current students, parents, faculty, and staff submitted nominations for this year’s Award in support of candidates whom they believed were worthy of recognition. Each nomination is carefully considered by the graduates who serve on the Rogers Committee, chaired this year by Chip Fowler ’05. Ultimately, three finalists and a single recipient were selected.