Dan Walker announces his retirement

OGDEN - After 33 years of coaching, Weber State Director of Track and Field Dan Walker has announced his retirement. After many years as an assistant coach, Walker has been the head coach of the Wildcat men's track and field programs for the last 10 years and has been the Director of Track and Field for the last three seasons.

In his 33 years at Weber State, Walker has been a part of 41 Big Sky Championships in men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field. He has coached hundreds of athletes, and has been the event coach for 15 All-Americans and three NCAA champions.

"It's been such an honor for me to coach at Weber State for more than half of my life," Walker said. "When I started here I wanted an opportunity to help our student-athletes become better people as well as better athletes and I think I've accomplished that. I've absolutely loved the opportunity to coach here and the many, many people I've associated with. I hope I've had a positive impact on their lives; they certainly have on mine. I feel like the timing is right for me to retire but I will always cherish the relationships I've been able to make during my time here."

After graduating from Ben Lomond High School where he still holds the school record in the mile, Walker started his long association with Weber State when he came to WSU to run track and cross country under legendary head coach Chick Hislop. Walker graduated from WSU in 1975 with a degree in Medical Technology.

After graduation he worked for several years as the manager of the chemistry lab at St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden. In 1984, he began his long coaching career as a part-time assistant coach working under Hislop and Jim Blaisdell. In 1988, he was hired as a full-time assistant coach and in 2004, was named Associate Head Coach.

In 2007, Walker was named the head coach of the Wildcat men's track and field program and in 2014, was named the Director of Track and Field, adding the women's program to his responsibilities.

Under Walker's leadership, the Wildcat men's team won the Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 2010, and he was named the Big Sky Coach of the Year. He has also guided the men's and women's programs to top three finishes in the Big Sky Conference on 11 occasions.

Throughout his career, Walker has been the primary coach for the men's and women's field events. He has coached athletes who have won three NCAA championships in the high jump. He has also coached athletes who have achieved All-American status in the high jump eight times and the javelin five times, as well as the men's heptahtlon and triple jump. He has coached Big Sky Conference champions in every field event. He coached Charles Clinger (twice) and Paula John to NCAA championships in the high jump.

Walker has been married to his wife Elaine for 43 years and they have three children: Rick, Mindy and Brett, as well as two grandchildren, Hayley and Easton.

"Dan Walker is a Wildcat through and through," said WSU director of athletics Jerry Bovee. "Starting with his days as a student-athlete and then 33 years as a coach, he has been a great friend and mentor and has impacted the lives of thousands of Wildcat student-athletes. We thank him for his many years of service to the University and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement. He will always be a Wildcat."

Weber State University Athletics

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