Monmouth College alum Heather Turnquist has been named Monmouth College softball coach. Turnquist has been part of the Monmouth athletic department since July 2019 as Administrative Assistant and Senior Women’s Administrator while also helping as a volunteer coach for the softball team in 2025.
The first Monmouth alum to lead the softball team since Kari Shimmin (2005-07), Turnquist will remain in the positions of Administrative Assistant and SWA.
“We are very pleased that Heather Turnquist has accepted the challenge of leading the Fighting Scots softball program,” said Roger Haynes, Director of Athletics. “Her experience as a multiple time All-Conference player at Monmouth College and her enthusiasm for the game make her an excellent choice to lead our program. I am confident that she will serve as a strong role model, setting the workload standard for our players on and off the field.”
“I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to lead the program that brought me to Monmouth as a student,” said Turnquist. “I would like to thank Coach Haynes for his support and leadership through this process. I’m looking forward to getting to work with the team and Coach (Addy) Williams this fall on our newly updated field.”
A 1999 Monmouth graduate with a degree in business administration, the former Heather Downing was a shortstop for the Fighting Scots for three seasons and a 3-time All-Conference selection. She led the 1997 team with a .313 average and also led the 1999 squad with a .346 mark. Turnquist tied for the team lead in RBI in both 1998 and 1999 while leading the way in hits in 1997 and 1999 and runs in 1999. She ranks fourth in Monmouth history in sacrifices and is also in the top 25 in doubles.
Turnquist was an assistant coach for the Scots after graduation and also worked in the Monmouth admissions office. She also has experience at the Warren County YMCA and coaching youth sports at ICS.
A native of Fairview, Illinois, Turnquist resides in Galesburg with husband John, a 1999 Monmouth alum and football player. Their son Toby was a three-year starter for the Fighting Scots baseball team before graduating in 2025 and daughter Taylor is a student at the University of Iowa.
***Courtesy of Nathan Baliva, Monmouth College***
