Turk Awarded Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame 2026 Starr-Sullivan Achievement Award
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- As announced by the Board of Directors of State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame yesterday, Huntingdon Head Football Coach Mike Turk will be awarded the 2026 Starr-Sullivan Achievement Award at the 58th Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Named in honor of two extraordinary men from Alabama, Bart Starr and Pat Sullivan, the Starr-Sullivan Achievement Award recognizes a former collegiate quarterback that exhibits exemplary character and has made a significant contribution in his community. Turk is now the third recipient of the award, joining Stan White and Brodie Croyle as a recipient of this prestigious honor.
A graduate of Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Turk was a walk-on quarterback for Troy State University in the spring of 1984. While at Troy, Turk became one of the most decorated players in school history. He led the program to NCAA Division II national championships in 1984 and 1987. His teams were 40-8-1 in four seasons. Turk was selected as an All-Conference performer in the Gulf South Conference three times and was runner-up for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the nation's top Division II performer. He was a consensus All-America selection as a senior and was named GSC Freshman of the Year in 1984. Following his senior year, Turk was named the Division II Offensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was the first person to be chosen as the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Small College Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Year in the same season.
Mike Turk became Huntingdon College's second head football coach in May 2004 and has been at the helm for every win in program history, including the program's 100th win in 2018. Arriving on the heels of Huntingdon's winless first season (0-7 in 2003), he has turned the program into a consistent winner with a 153-66 record. In 22 seasons, Turk has guided the program to its first win (2004), first winning season (2005), first playoff appearance (2009), first regular-season national ranking (2012), first conference championship (2015) and first playoff victory (2015). In 13 seasons as a member of the USA South, Turk has led the Hawks to a 75-16 conference record and has won seven conference championships.
"I am both honored and humbled to receive an award that is named for two of the most respected men from our state, both of which were heroes of mine," shared Turk. "A special thanks goes to the board of directors of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame for this incredible honor."
The 58th Induction Banquet and Ceremony will be held in the Birmingham Ballroom, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum at (205) 323-6665.