Heather Turnquist was named Monmouth College softball coach imn June 2025. 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.
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.
