Photos by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
Kansas City’s Union Station roared with Roo Blue spirit as hundreds of people came out to welcome incoming UMKC men’s basketball coach, Mark Turgeon.
People from across Kansas City joined a strong contingent of campus leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni from the University of Missouri-Kansas City to welcome the arrival of one of college basketball’s winningest coaches as head coach of the Kansas City Roos. The UMKC Dance Team, mascot KC Roo and the Roo Mob pep band brought a lively spirit to the day’s events.
"We're trying to be the best basketball team that Kansas City has ever seen," Turgeon said. "That's our goal. Expect us to win, to have great players, to be well-coached."
Family of Coach Turgeon also turned out in force to bring a personal welcome, filling a few rows close to the stage.
"It's great to be back in the Midwest and among family," Turgeon said. "I'm back here because of my family, but also because I believe in this city. Kansas City is a championship town. The town means a lot to me, but even more than the town, I believe in the people. I know what people in the Midwest are about, and I need everyone to come support our team."
Kansas City and UMKC leaders were among those who turned out to show their support and celebrate this moment for Kansas City’s only Division I university. Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission; UMKC alum Mario Vasquez (MSERE ’14), Kansas City City Manager; UMKC alum Terry Dunn (MBA ’73), president and CEO of JE Dunn and Brandon Martin, UMKC Athletics Director were there as UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal laid out his vision for the Turgeon Era.
“We want to go to the Big Dance,” Agrawal said. “That’s the expectation. That’s the standard, and Coach Turgeon is the right person to help us get there.”
Anticipation for Coach Turgeon’s impact is well-earned. A Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Coach, Turgeon is among the top 30 active Division I coaches. With a career record of 476-275 across 24 years of coaching, Turgeon has led teams to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and built a reputation for turning programs into consistent contenders. He has coached at some of the biggest programs in college basketball, bringing experience, credibility and a deep recruiting network to Kansas City.
“Coach Turgeon understands what it takes to compete at that level of excellence,” Agrawal said.
The expectation of building a prominent basketball program is in line with the expectations of a world-class university. From achieving Carnegie Research 1, increasing graduation and retention rates, building the university’s largest capital project in its history in the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building and expanding programs across the state and winning Summit League championships in men’s soccer and men’s golf, UMKC has achieved each bold goal it has set. Now, Agrawal said, it’s time to extend that winning streak to the basketball program.
“Our faculty and staff have been building excellence across this institution; now it's time to do that in basketball,” Agrawal said.
To symbolize the start of a historic moment for UMKC, Chancellor Agrawal presented Turgeon with a gift representing the shared history of UMKC and Kansas City, a framed print of the UMKC kangaroo drawn by Kansas Citian Walt Disney, signifying the pride, innovation and competitive spirit that has defined UMKC and Kansas City.
UMKC Director of Athletics Martin was central to this game-changing hire. Martin said Coach Turgeon’s accomplishments are energizing to Roo fans and UMKC athletes alike.
"We wanted someone with a championship pedigree and had competed at the highest level and won games at the highest level," Martin said. "A champion and ambassador to our program who will generate excitement for our alumni, our families, donors and stakeholders throughout the city. A coach will bring national prestige to UMKC. We knew that he was answer and best fit for the job."
The importance of Coach Turgeon’s hiring extends beyond UMKC. Turgeon has a long history in the Kansas City region. A native of Topeka, Kansas, Turgeon played for the University of Kansas, taking the team to four NCAA Tournaments and making a Final Four run in 1986. His success as a coach includes a historic turnaround for the Wichita State Shockers, taking them to their first NCAA tournament in 20 years. His deep Kansas City roots and coaching excellence further elevates the city’s status as a basketball epicenter.
“I have spent a big part of my career working to bring high-caliber sports teams and sporting events to Kansas City,” Nelson said. “We have experienced great success, but this moment for UMKC, hiring Coach Mark Turgeon, is certainly on my list as one of the highlights.”
City Manager Vasquez presented Turgeon with a framed print of the iconic Norman Rockwell painting Kansas City Spirit, which Rockwell created after a devastating flood in 1951 to symbolize the community’s reliance, optimism and unity. The gift felt especially fitting for a coach who is, “to Kansas City always true.”
“Coach Turgeon’s return to Kansas City is more than a coaching decision; it’s a homecoming,” Vasquez said. “Strong cities need strong universities, and strong universities benefit from strong city partnerships. We’re proud to support UMKC as it continues to elevate its athletic programs and its national profile.”
Vasquez says he’s excited to be working with UMKC on a plan to return men’s basketball to play at Municipal Auditorium.
Roo fans and alumni were excited to welcome Coach Turgeon home. Dunn said Coach Turgeon is the right person to lead the fight for the gold and blue, and encouraged all Roo fans to stand up and show their pride for their Kangaroos.
"What I'm seeing is a number of people stepping forward donating time, talent, treasure," Dunn said. "There are a number of business leaders in this community that brand their institutions and businesses with UMKC. We want this community to really understand this is our university, it's our time."
Following the event, fans, alumni and community leaders attended a reception welcoming UMKC’s newest Roo and a future for UMKC men’s basketball that — as the school’s fight song goes — is onward, forward, upward rising.
