The Bloomington-Normal community is saddened by the sudden death of Demetrius “Coach DT” Turrentine.
A physical education instructor and wrestling coach at Normal West High School for many years.
Turrentine died Monday at 42-years-old.
The students rolled in Tuesday morning, anticipating early practice, only to find that the man who had led them all along was no longer there.
Coach Demetrius Turrentine had moved back to his alma mater with one mission in mind, which was to provide every student with an equal opportunity to succeed, both in and out of the mat.
Renowned for showing up early in the morning and well after competitions were over, coach Demetrius Turrentine felt that hard work was more important than accolades.
Coaching, they remember him booming in physical education classes and speaking in hushed tones in the hallway, where he offered non-judgmental listening.
He yelled in celebration over trifling victories in addition to championships in regard to things such as completing challenging coursework or overcoming confidence.
Apart from being a renowned wrestler, the individual taught younger teachers and was also involved in the community as a volunteer.
Moreover, the individual maintained relationships even after the students graduated.
His kindness, sense of humor, and belief in people made him more than a “coach.”
As the season of Normal West unfolds, the loss of Coach DT is greatly missed.
The teachings that he instilled have had a lasting effect on all those that he has touched.
They will never forget the values that he taught them, the values of patience, discipline, and self-confidence.
