TOWSON, Md. – Towson defensive back Monty Fenner was awarded the inaugural Wardell Turner Scholarship at the Tiger Football Banquet Saturday morning.  Katherine Turner, the widow of Sgt. Maj. Turner, and youngest son, Xavier, were on hand to present the award.
 
The scholarship honors Sergeant Major Wardell B. Turner who was Killed in Action on November 24, 2014 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sergeant Major Turner was serving in a NATO role advising Afghan security forces when his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device.
 
Turner was a four-year letterwinner at defensive back for the Tigers and graduated in 1989 with a degree in management. 
 
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a defensive back on the football team that is in good academic standing and demonstrates the qualities and attributes exemplified by Wardell Turner; leadership, selfless service and commitment. Head Coach Rob Ambrose will award the scholarship.
 
"I am very honored and humbled to be the first recipient of this award," said Fenner.  "I feel the coaches, the athletics department and the Turner family trusted me with this honor.  It is big shoes to fill.  It caught me off guard, I thought it would be given to one of the captains. 
 
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  It was special that it was actually the Turner family who presented the award.  They came here just for that moment, to honor him, and also see the person who is going to be honoring his name."   
 
Fenner started the final six games of the 2015 season at safety.  He finished the season with 42 tackles, one tackle-for-loss and an interception.  He posted seven tackles in his first collegiate game at East Carolina, and tied his career-high with seven tackles in his first career start at Stony Brook.  Fenner returned an interception 24 yards in the season finale against Rhode Island.