New coordinator slides into position at WRC

Daniel Turner is climbing to new heights as the new Weber State Univerity Wilderness Recreation Coordinator. It's no Grand Travers in the Grand Tetons, but Turner has managed to do what some people are never able to accomplish - to get paid to do what one loves.

Having grown up in Bern, Idaho, a little town just north of Bear Lake, Turner said he grew to love "being" and "doing" in the outdoors.

"The lake was kind of central to what we did," Turner said.

But over time his passion turned to climbing.

As a kid, Turner participated in the rock climbing gathering, Pocatello Pump. When he grew older he toured with the Boulder Circuit competing all over the Western United States.

"I got completely hooked on the climbing aspect and that was a catalyst into other things," Turner said.

After graduating from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor's in Recreation and Spanish and a minor in Outdoor Leadership, he said coming to WSU seemed liked the perfect step for this outdoors lover.

"His expertise in climbing and water crafts is exceptional," said WSU Wilderness Recreation Center Director John Knight.

Because of Turner's exceptional work ethic and leadership skills, Knight offered the job to Turner.

While at the University of Idaho, Turner accepted a position as the assistant coordinator for the University of Idaho's recreation center as well as running the climbing facility on campus. The University of Idaho has one of the largest college campus climbing facilities in the country, and in building the new climbing wall, WSU can now compete with them.

"In just a short career timeframe, Daniel had accomplished a great deal showing his ability to motivate others and create large-scale, professional recreational programs," said Kirk Hanniger, the former Wilderness Recreation Center coordinator.

Hanniger stepped down from the position to devote more time to the WSU Nursing Program.

Having attempted the challenge of the Grand Travers, traversing the 10 peaks of the Tetons within 24 hours, the tallest of which is 13,777 feet, Turner is ready to take on the challenge of bringing the Wilderness Recreation Center to the forefront of all WSU facilities.

"The resources around this area are second to none," Turner said.

One of the challenges Turner said he sees with the recreation center is getting more students involved and active in the outdoors.

"People aren't taking themselves out of their environment, and getting themselves involved in the outdoors," Turner said.

Praising the Health Promotion and Human Performance Department, Turner said he would like to work with those classes and "use that as a feeder program to get people interested in the rec center," he said.

"Daniel's strengths are his administrative skills, his ability to communicate and collaborate," Knight said.

Turner has established strong relationships with the Health Promotion and Human Performance Department and is assisting them with the opening of the new climbing wall, Knight said.

WSU can also expect to see Turner facilitating the building of a challenge course behind the University Village. The challenge course would offer team-building tests and challenges encouraging better communication, cooperation, effectiveness and efficiency.

Turner said he loves his new job.

"It's pretty much the greatest job on earth," Turner said.