The Ripple Effect
Crystal Turpin is a woman of faith, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, athlete, role model, and mentor, as well as an entrepreneur. The former general manager of the New York Sharks is enjoying retirement and looking forward to finding the next chapter in her life. The most motivating word in the English language according to Crystal Turpin is when someone tells her she can’t do something! The first time this word motivated her to move mountains was when she was told she couldn’t graduate high school – and she went to Saturday classes and did everything necessary to ensure she not only graduated but did so with good grades!
“It is a wonderful feeling to have been a standout high school and collegiate athlete. When I was presented with the opportunity to become the General Manager of a full contact all female football team (the New York Sharks), I was all in. This was huge because, like the start of the WNBA, we were making history.” As a pioneer in women’s football, Turpin’s leadership skills helped guide her team to two Super Bowl Championships. Turpin is best known for her twenty-year association with the New York Sharks. “We formed the New York Sharks and in 2002 we won a national championship, and they were just inviting women from all over the world to come try out. It was just amazing to see that much of an interest that all these women really wanted to play.”
Turpin rose in the ranks from being a player, to being General Manager to becoming Vice President of the New York Sharks. “We got to make young girls’ dreams come true – we got to open the door for them and that is a beautiful thing!” She retired in 2018 when the team was purchased, and the name was changed to New York Wolves.
Off the field, Turpin is a tireless giver and always looks to help others, no matter what their situation, seeing it as a ‘ripple effect’ when a positive action acts like a pebble dropped in a pond. “It’s that ripple effect that once you make an impact on that one person, then that person can make an impact on somebody else, and then so on.” She has always been involved with community service, especially when it comes to helping someone who was formally incarcerated.
“Everyone deserves a chance. People make mistakes in their life, but not everyone who goes to prison is a bad person. I feel that God put me here to give back, especially to women who are not letting their light shine, that are allowing their lights to be dimmed so that someone else can shine brighter than them. As my dad used to say, let your light shine. You have so many blessings when you give of yourself and give that blessing that God gave you.”
For Turpin, helping others is a way of life, not just something to do occasionally. Her philosophy of life is to always ‘help your neighbor’ and ‘take care of each other.’ Her philosophy also includes the advice of studying to learn more and working hard at whatever you want to do. “You must be willing to listen and learn from those who are doing what you want to do on a grander level. I must lead by example and teach those who follow, to stand for what is right.”
While Turpin is still not sure of her exact next chapter, she is sure it will involve helping people. “Knowing that I am changing lives is what inspires me. I’m not sure yet what my exact next steps will be – I am taking my time to figure things out. I am retired and I moved south where I plan to enjoy every moment of life. However, I feel selfish cause I still have a lot to give. We all have something that we can offer this world. I want to encourage everyone to take care of your neighbor, you know, take care of one another.”
