"I was put on this Earth to help:" College athlete Will Turner stands out for his work off the field

College athlete Will Turner stands out for his work off the field

MILWAUKEE -- As a Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons football player, Will Turner wants to win as much as anybody. In keeping with the Lutheran University's mission, he also wants to develop in mind, body and spirit so that he can serve Christ and the world -- and he's well on his way to achieving that victory.

Will Turner

Concordia University nose guard Will Turner began playing football when he was six-years-old. He loves the game! But the former Milwaukee Lutheran standout also loves the life lessons it's teaching him.

"With football, you have your trials and tribulations. You could go from starting one day to riding the bench the next day. It helps me grow as a person, letting me know that I need to take everything for the moment. I need to do everything the best that I can do," said Turner.

Turner and his teammates don't play in front of 80,000 screaming fans. As NCAA Division III student-athletes, they don't get scholarships. Turner works his tail off to pay tuition at Mayfair Rent-A-Car, and as a mall cop at Bayshore Town Center.

As if that's not enough...

"I have my own radio show. I'm a part of the freshman orientation team. I'm a part of campus activity board -- so I got a lot of ties around here," said Turner.

Will Turner

Turner takes enough time out of his busy schedule to serve and mentor students with developmental disabilities. The Bethesda College program at Concordia integrates the students into the campus setting. Graduates receive a certificate of applied learning.

"I don't have any special needs or anything, but I want them to feel like, normal. I want people to treat them how they should be treated. I want them to learn things that are essential to life, such as how to be a successful college student -- how to balance life itself," said Turner.

Will Turner and Bethesda students

It's been a wonderful experience for Turner and the Bethesda students. Although, when he was first approached about mentoring...

"I was scared. Like, the first thing I thought about was, 'wow I'm going to be responsible for these people's lives. I'm going to be responsible to help them grow. I don't want to mess up,'" Turner said.

Turner's engaging personality and huge heart make him a natural. He just talks to the students and develops friendships.

"I want to make it seem as though I'm a big brother. You always have your big brother looking out for his younger siblings because he's kind of like the head honcho trying to make sure everything is alright. That's what I try to do for them -- make them feel like family. It makes me smile because I'm an only child, so I've never really had that experience. Now, I'm in college and it feels like I have little brothers and sisters and it's great," Turner said.

"Will is a really amazing, great man. I have had the pleasure of getting to talk with him and hang out and he's just overall a really nice, wonderful, great guy," said Kristen Van Handel, Bethesda/Concordia student.

Kristen Van Handel

Falcons coach Greg Etter also has a heart for people with special needs. He's always made room for the Bethesda students to be a part of the team. That's only one reason he raves about Turner.

"Will has come in here and every phase of his life, from his social life, to his academic life, to his athletic life -- he has just grown leaps and bounds. I mean, I can't even tell you how proud I am. If there's something that needs to be done in the community, he's the first one to volunteer. Everything that Concordia University stands for, all you have to do is look at Will Turner," said Etter.

Coach Greg Etter

"I feel like I was put on this Earth to help. I want to show people what it's like to help, be helped, and to love. I feel like that's what we as a human race have to do is love. I feel that's the most simple meaning of life," said Turner.

After graduation, Turner plans to become a parole officer. He wants to help rehabilitate people in the city who are in the criminal justice system because, he says, they're in trouble and need help.

Will Turner and Bethesda students