'One thousand times more special': Turner Thorne, January share ASU Hall of Fame honor
It's been three years since Arizona State has added to its athletics Hall of Fame, but for two among this year's group the timing couldn't have been better to match them in the same class.
ASU is honoring seven former student-athletes, along with two distinguished members in former women’s basketball head coach Charli Turner Thorne and football assistant coach and senior associate athletic director Don Bocchi.
The 2022 class includes Caitlin Andrew (women’s swimming), Briann January (women’s basketball), Anna Nordqvist (women’s golf), Jessica Pressley (women’s track and field), Anthony Robles (wrestling), Terrell Suggs (football), and Ryan Whiting (men’s track and field).
They officially will be inducted at halftime of Saturday's ASU-Washington football game at Sun Devil Stadium.
Other inspiring stories: Anthony Robles, who was born with only one leg, reaches ASU Sports Hall of Fame
No matter how it would have happened, Turner Thorne and January would've found a way to celebrate one another's achievements at ASU. January played for Turner Thorne from 2005 to 2009 and returned as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 while playing with the Phoenix Mercury.
“She has been such a monumental part of my success in my career. She’s not only coached me, she’s mentored me, supported me, inspired me for decades now. I’m just glad to be here to celebrate her and honor her legacy because what she’s done in her career is unmatched,” January said.
During a luncheon Friday held at the San Tan Ford Club at Sun Devil Stadium, Turner Thorne received two standing ovations, while Bocchi and Robles both had one of their own.
Turner Thorne received the honor shortly after retiring from the women’s basketball program in February after serving as head coach for the last 25 years.
“I was genuinely surprised because I thought that they had a time that needed to transpire before you go in,” Turner Thorne said. “Huge honor and I don’t know if they did it because Bri was going in, which is incredibly thoughtful and it does make this more special for me.”
Although Turner Thorne is proud of her accomplishments with her teams on the court, she’s especially proud of all her student-athletes graduating with degrees over her tenure and seeing their success in their post-basketball careers.
“I had a little reunion party with my former players and I couldn’t believe the level of success that was in that room. It was all them and I was so proud of what all these young women have gone on to do. That was a big part of our program, we wanted to build them as leaders,” Turner Thorne said.
January’s post-basketball career has just begun after playing her 14th and final WNBA season. Her time assisting with Turner Thorne has shaped her next steps as she interviews with several WNBA teams for coaching jobs.
"Being in the office with her every day, being in the meetings, being up close and personal with it, it's another level. I soaked up everything," January said. "She loves basketball. She loves her kids and is great at building leaders. I think that's the one thing I took with me as I become a coach myself and going to take with me and carry on."
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Charli Turner Thorne, Briann January inducted to ASU Hall of Fame
