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06-30-2006, 03:50 PM
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern coach Randy Walker's sudden death left the school stunned Friday, with players praising him as an inspirational leader.
[Image: http://espn-att.starwave.com/photo/2006/...er_195.jpg]
Jonathan Daniel/ Getty Images
Walker was the first Northwestern coach to lead the school to three bowl games.
"I'll never forget coach Walker," kicker Joel Howells said at a somber news conference on campus. "He's had a huge impact on my life the last four or five years. If you really knew him, I don't know how you wouldn't remember him.
"A lot of guys are still kind of in shock."
Walker, 52, died Thursday of an apparent heart attack, after feeling chest pains around 10 p.m. at his suburban Chicago home, said Mike Wolf, the school's assistant athletic director for media services.
"Everything he taught us could be applied to life," linebacker Nick Roach said. "You can't really measure something like that."
Two months ago, Northwestern gave Walker a four-year extension through the 2011 season. He joined the school in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio. Northwestern is scheduled to open its season agaisnt the RedHawks on Aug. 31.
"He was a tough, demanding coach," athletic director Mark Murphy said.
In October 2004, Walker checked himself into a hospital after experiencing chest pains. He was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle; the condition is not a common ailment, and is usually caused by a virus.
Walker was out of the hospital in two days, and said he was taking a new approach to his diet and work schedule.
"I've really taken my doctor's orders to heart, because frankly, I want to see my grandkids someday," he said at the time.
Walker's Wildcats posted 37 wins, going 7-5 last season after a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the Sun Bowl. He led the team to three bowl games since 2000.
Northwestern shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. The Wildcats also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.
"Everything he taught us could be applied to life. You can't really measure something like that." Northwestern linebacker Nick Roach
Walker was the first Wildcats coach to guide the team to four seasons with at least six wins since C.M. Hollister in 1899-1902.
"Not only was Randy a great friend to the conference, but to his players, his staff and fans," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. "Randy accomplished a great deal at every institution he worked for, but most importantly he personified the values of intercollegiate athletics -- he was positive, resilient and honest."
Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said Walker's death left him in "absolute shock."
"I lost a friend and someone I learned a lot from in our time together at Miami (Ohio)," Hoeppner said. "He is a great man, a great family man and a great person. Words cannot express how much I will miss him."
Illinois coach Ron Zook, who graduated with Walker from Miami of Ohio in 1976, called him "a man of great passion."
"He was passionate about his family, his players, the Northwestern community and the game of football," Zook said in a prepared statement. "I've also known his wife, Tamara, since our days at Miami and offer her and her children our deepest thoughts and prayers."
One of the most difficult times during Walker's tenure at Northwestern came in August 2001 when defensive back Rashidi Wheeler collapsed after participating in a conditioning drill and died. His parents sued the school, claiming officials did not give their son, an asthmatic, timely or adequate medical treatment.
After years of court wrangling, the player's family was awarded a $16 million settlement. A judge approved the settlement last August.
Walker was an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1978 to 1987 and then coached running backs at Northwestern in 1988 and 1989 before becoming head coach at Miami of Ohio, his alma mater. In nine seasons he compiled a 59-35-5 record, his .621 winning percentage the best in school history when he left.
Walker's 1998 team at Miami went 10-1.
A native of Troy, Ohio, Walker was a fullback at Miami of Ohio and graduated from there in 1976 with a degree in social studies education. Five years later he got a master's degree in education administration.
During Walker's playing days, Miami compiled records of 11-0, 10-0-1 and 11-1 in the mid-1970s and won three Tangerine Bowls. Walker was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1992.
Walker was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, and after a short stint returned to Miami as a graduate assistant.
Walker is survived by his wife, Tamara, and two children, Abbey, 28, and Jamie, 25, who is the school's football recruiting assistant.
[Image: http://espn-att.starwave.com/photo/2006/...er_195.jpg]
Jonathan Daniel/ Getty Images
Walker was the first Northwestern coach to lead the school to three bowl games.
"I'll never forget coach Walker," kicker Joel Howells said at a somber news conference on campus. "He's had a huge impact on my life the last four or five years. If you really knew him, I don't know how you wouldn't remember him.
"A lot of guys are still kind of in shock."
Walker, 52, died Thursday of an apparent heart attack, after feeling chest pains around 10 p.m. at his suburban Chicago home, said Mike Wolf, the school's assistant athletic director for media services.
"Everything he taught us could be applied to life," linebacker Nick Roach said. "You can't really measure something like that."
Two months ago, Northwestern gave Walker a four-year extension through the 2011 season. He joined the school in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio. Northwestern is scheduled to open its season agaisnt the RedHawks on Aug. 31.
"He was a tough, demanding coach," athletic director Mark Murphy said.
In October 2004, Walker checked himself into a hospital after experiencing chest pains. He was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle; the condition is not a common ailment, and is usually caused by a virus.
Walker was out of the hospital in two days, and said he was taking a new approach to his diet and work schedule.
"I've really taken my doctor's orders to heart, because frankly, I want to see my grandkids someday," he said at the time.
Walker's Wildcats posted 37 wins, going 7-5 last season after a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the Sun Bowl. He led the team to three bowl games since 2000.
Northwestern shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. The Wildcats also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.
"Everything he taught us could be applied to life. You can't really measure something like that." Northwestern linebacker Nick Roach
Walker was the first Wildcats coach to guide the team to four seasons with at least six wins since C.M. Hollister in 1899-1902.
"Not only was Randy a great friend to the conference, but to his players, his staff and fans," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. "Randy accomplished a great deal at every institution he worked for, but most importantly he personified the values of intercollegiate athletics -- he was positive, resilient and honest."
Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said Walker's death left him in "absolute shock."
"I lost a friend and someone I learned a lot from in our time together at Miami (Ohio)," Hoeppner said. "He is a great man, a great family man and a great person. Words cannot express how much I will miss him."
Illinois coach Ron Zook, who graduated with Walker from Miami of Ohio in 1976, called him "a man of great passion."
"He was passionate about his family, his players, the Northwestern community and the game of football," Zook said in a prepared statement. "I've also known his wife, Tamara, since our days at Miami and offer her and her children our deepest thoughts and prayers."
One of the most difficult times during Walker's tenure at Northwestern came in August 2001 when defensive back Rashidi Wheeler collapsed after participating in a conditioning drill and died. His parents sued the school, claiming officials did not give their son, an asthmatic, timely or adequate medical treatment.
After years of court wrangling, the player's family was awarded a $16 million settlement. A judge approved the settlement last August.
Walker was an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1978 to 1987 and then coached running backs at Northwestern in 1988 and 1989 before becoming head coach at Miami of Ohio, his alma mater. In nine seasons he compiled a 59-35-5 record, his .621 winning percentage the best in school history when he left.
Walker's 1998 team at Miami went 10-1.
A native of Troy, Ohio, Walker was a fullback at Miami of Ohio and graduated from there in 1976 with a degree in social studies education. Five years later he got a master's degree in education administration.
During Walker's playing days, Miami compiled records of 11-0, 10-0-1 and 11-1 in the mid-1970s and won three Tangerine Bowls. Walker was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1992.
Walker was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, and after a short stint returned to Miami as a graduate assistant.
Walker is survived by his wife, Tamara, and two children, Abbey, 28, and Jamie, 25, who is the school's football recruiting assistant.
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06-30-2006, 09:31 PM
This is Horrible news ! He turned the whole Football Program around beating every team at least once in the Big Ten in his seasons at Northwestern !
07-01-2006, 12:40 AM
very sad news... my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends
07-01-2006, 02:26 AM
Sad news...
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