Here is a sampling of the many postings in the Randy Walker guest book at legacy.com. The link also is available atwww.chicagosports.com.
Singing his praises
BRADENTON, Fla. — I have followed Randy Walker in his career since he graduated from Troy (Ohio) High School, on to Miami of Ohio and on to North Carolina as a coach. He came back to Miami as coach and produced a great record.
I was very proud of Randy. He was one of my best students while I was director of music at Troy High School. He was selected student director of the senior choir. The students knew of his leadership in those years. During his senior year, in addition to being an outstanding football player, he played the leading role of Tevia in “Fiddler on the Roof.” He lived every moment of Tevia’s life.
[Wife] Tammy was also an excellent student, having a role in the same musical. I was saddened by Randy’s passing, but I am sure that you have many fond memories of your love for each other. He will be greatly missed by all.T. Herman Dooley
Knew meaning of tough love
SOUTHLAKE, Texas — I was given the opportunity to be guided by a very prolific man, Randy Walker, after being recruited out of his hometown of Troy, Ohio, and becoming a member of the Miami Redskins. He not only pushed you to your limits and beyond on the field but off the field as well. Many guys may not have allowed themselves to know coach Walker as a person, but because of a predicament I encountered, I was approached by coach Walker to sit and talk. His concern was not what I could do to be a better player, but what I needed to do to learn and grow from the situation I had encountered. What he had is called tough love, and we all need that from time to time. Randy Walker touched so many lives, and that will never be forgotten.
Scott Clemons
Tremendous role model
PHILADELPHIA — I was lucky enough to work as one of the media coordinators for Northwestern football for two years under Randy, including the 2000 Big Ten championship and Alamo Bowl. Randy was a coach who clearly had the respect of his peers and his players, but I think beyond that he was a man everyone should emulate.
He had his priorities in order. He created a family environment, he had a tremendous combination of stern toughness and folksy humor, and everyone around that program was better for having him in their lives. I have been struggling mightily with this news. Why do bad things happen to great people?
Mike Mahoney
Life-changing moment
DUBLIN, Ohio — My intersection in life with Randy occurred briefly on an evening at Miami University in 1975 when he invited me to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. I remember being struck by the consideration and interest he showed me–this from someone who was truly a big man on campus. He seems even bigger to me today. In many of life’s past events so easily forgotten, this brief encounter is one of those indelibly good memories.
Stu Vosler
Character counts
CHICAGO — My first memory of coach Walker is from 1995. He was the head coach at Miami, and I was a defensive tackle at Northwestern. After rolling off a pile following my futile attempt to block the kick that ended our chance at an unbeaten season that year, I saw coach Walker walk onto the field.
He was calm and collected, as if it were merely inevitable that Miami of Ohio would erase our 21-point third-quarter lead. While I felt nothing but respectful disdain for coach Walker at that moment, I was also relieved I never had to play against another Randy Walker-coached team again.
When Northwestern hired him in 1999, I was happy he was now on our side. His Northwestern teams over the years, through the good and the bad, shared one attribute: They never quit. His teams had more energy in the fourth quarter than the first. As coach Walker engineered many last-minute victories over the years, I think you’ll find that most were not a result of acrobatic playmaking heroics but were simply the inevitable result of his team exhibiting poise and character under the most difficult circumstances. In essence, his teams had character.
Over the years, I’ve found that teams tend to adopt the personality of their coach. Although I never played for you, I will dearly miss you, coach Walker. You were one of the good guys.
Matt Rice
A very positive force
FARGO, N.D. — Coach Walker was one of the most influential persons in my life. He taught me what it was to always see the good in rough times. The values I hold and the person I am today were greatly influenced by coach Walker. He was a great friend to me, and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
Tony Stauss
Inspired those around him
BUFFALO GROVE — Randy Walker symbolized what was right about college athletics. His tough, no-nonsense approach combined with the ability to reach out and connect with his players was tremendous.
As a loyal Northwestern fan, I appreciated watching athletes who gave everything they had in victory and defeat. Coach Walker inspired his players to work to the best of their ability both in the classroom and on the field.
Steve Reitman
