In the high-stakes final seconds of a Rochester Christian University basketball game, the most important people in the arena aren’t always the ones wearing jerseys. They are the three volunteers behind a long table, illuminated by the glow of the scorer’s table and the precise timing of the shot clock.
The referees in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference call the trio of Gary Turner, Vivian Turner and Susan Griffin, the “best table in the WHAC.” For this trio, this decades-long volunteer gig helps them serve student-athletes and help RCU Athletics.
Guardians of the Game
Gary Turner, assistant professor of math who has worked at RCU since 1991, anchors the table. He handles the 30-second shot clock, a role that requires split-second judgment on whether a ball grazed the rim or merely kissed the backboard.
“I’ve got to be pushing 30 years in this role,” Gary said, recalling the days when the team played in local high school gyms and hauled a portable shot clock to every game. “I enjoy getting to know the students and helping out.”
Next to him is Vivian Turner, assistant professor of health sciences, who serves as the official scorekeeper. Her job is meticulous, requiring her to manually record every point, foul and substitution in the book. One clerical error could result in a technical foul, a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.
Susan Griffin, nursing program coordinator who joined the university in 2009, rounds out the trio at the table. A former coach herself, Sue manages the game clock and points. “Basketball has always been my first love. I played it, I coached it, and I just love being around the game. We are probably the best table because we have experience and consistency. The officials are able to rely on us,” she said.
Their reputation for accuracy has earned them the respect of referees and coaches alike. Gary recalls a high-pressure moment when a coach insisted a ball had hit the rim and the clock should be reset. The referee checked with Gary, who insisted it hadn’t, and the referees followed his guidance. A video reviewed later proved Gary was right.
Dr. Klint Pleasant, former head men’s basketball coach and now president of Southwestern Michigan College, remembers that game and said, “Gary had a major impact on us winning because he kept the clock with such precision and accuracy. We simply don’t have the resources to secure paid help for gameday management, and I’m not sure what we would do without them. Not only did they step up and fill a major need, but they did it with such professionalism.”
Integrity at the Table
While some scorers might get distracted and make a mistake or try to favor their own team, this trio is different. “We pride ourselves on being people of integrity at the table. We’re not going to do something to intentionally help our team win. The
refs know that,” Sue said.
Athletic director Clayton Bissett said these three are essential for RCU’s ability to host basketball and volleyball games. “It is so reassuring as an athletic director to know that we don’t have to find people to cover those positions each and every home game. They are as professional as it comes when performing their duties, and all we pay them is a few slices of pizza. We would be in deep trouble without them and are so grateful they are willing to give of themselves and their time to help our athletic department,” he said.
We wouldn’t be able to host games, and the games would not run smoothly without their constant support. They are exemplary examples of service and commitment to our students.
The Crew Coaches Count On
Coaches in the program were eager to comment on the impact made by Gary, Vivian and Sue, with Pleasant calling them the “glue and backbone” of the athletic program.
Quin Rice, the new men’s head basketball coach and former assistant coach, said, “Their commitment is unbelievable. In my seven years here, they have not missed a game. We wouldn’t be able to host games, and the games would not run smoothly without their constant support. They are exemplary examples of service and commitment to our students.”
Jared Ocampo, head women’s basketball coach, said the trio is a “testament to the family-like culture we have on campus.” He also said spotting them at the scorer’s table helps him feel more at ease during competition. “They give me some sort of peace and comfort knowing we have support from our community and from our staff. They’re very sharp. and they take their work seriously.”
Beyond the Box Score
While they are technically officials during the game, their true impact is felt in the hallways and classrooms. For these volunteers, the payment isn’t a paycheck but in the relationships with student-athletes.
Jordan Peterson, a sophomore pre-physician assistant major on the women’s basketball team, remembers walking into Vivian’s anatomy class on the first day of class. “I didn’t even know if I was in the right classroom, but I walked in, and Ms. Turner goes, ‘Hi Jordan, it’s nice to meet you.’ Before I even set foot in the classroom, she knew who I was. Right in that moment, it eased all the nervousness because I knew that I had a professor who cared about me.”
They constantly show up to support each sports team, putting in their time, effort and often money to support athletes.
Hailee Mancogna, a senior health sciences major on the women’s volleyball team, said, “Both Gary and Vivian Turner have quickly become what I like to call my Rochester parents. They have shown unwavering care and love towards students and athletes, and have never made me feel like just another person attending Rochester. They constantly show up to support each sports team, putting in their time, effort and often money to support athletes. Sue Griffin has also always been so welcoming and supportive throughout my time here. She has shown what it’s like to be an important leader.”
James Fisher, a senior mass communication and marketing major who plays for the men’s basketball team, said the trio’s presence provides a “steady heartbeat” for the athletic program. “These three have missed fewer games than I have in the past five years. It’s these sorts of people that RCU is known for. I think the greatest lesson to take away from their years of service is how special and powerful it is to have pride in a program. It is something that is becoming increasingly lost in our society: the idea of putting a program or brand above oneself or sacrificing for your team.”
A Legacy of Service
The trio’s commitment extends beyond the court. They have participated in study abroad programs — watching quiet students transform into confident travelers. The Turners have led trips across Europe, including Scotland, England and Austria. Sue and Vivian have traveled with students on the science field study to the western U.S. for three years.
As the landscape of college athletics shifts toward the transfer portal and professionalization, the “table crew” remains a throwback to a family-oriented culture.
“I don’t like graduation anymore,” Sue said. “It’s not because I have to go; it’s when I see the senior walking across that I’ve developed a relationship with, and they’re not coming back.”
For Gary, the motivation remains simple: “Developing relationships with the students. I still try to put students at the top.”
From fixing scoreboard glitches to greeting referees with a quick fist bump before tip-off, Gary, Vivian and Sue show the true measure of RCU isn’t kept on a stat sheet — it’s built in the relationships that last long after the final buzzer.
Read the full issue of the North Star, RCU’s annual magazine for alumni & friends, here.
article written by Lora Hutson
