Dr. Leroy T. Walker Reflects - Clarence "Big House" Gaines Memorial Celebration - 4/22/2005

Dr. Leroy T. Walker spoke at my father's Memorial Celebration in 2005. Dr. Walker was the long time Track & Field Coach at North Carolina Central College (NCCU) and Head of the Physical Education & Recreation department at NCCU. He would later become Chancellor of the University. He was also the first Black President of the United States Olympic Committee. His NCCU track and field athletes participated in every Olympic Games between the years 1956 and 1980. Over the course of his career, athletes from his team won 11 gold medals, 80 were named All-American, and 35 had national championships. Walker's tenure at NCCU began in the same year (1945) my father's career started at Winston-Salem State University. They started out as colleagues but became friends. Dr. Walker mentioned a conference they attended together at Harvard University, where they heard the Harvard President, James Bryant Conant (1933-53), make a statement about the value of athletics that resonated with both men: "There are more teachable moments in athletics and sports than any other discipline at Harvard." Dr. Leroy T. Walker was a legendary figure in Athletics, Olympic Movement, HBCUs, NCCU, & the state of North Carolina. We were honored to have him speak about his relationship with my father at his Memorial Service. Dr. Walker passed from this earth on April 23, 2012 at the age of 93. Salute to a life well lived - May your soul rest in peace.