Scholarship to honor Miami legacy of Randy and Tammy Walker

Tammy Weikert Walker '75, the widow of Miami University's all-time winningest head football coach Randy Walker '76, has made a substantial private gift to Miami University's department of intercollegiate athletics and the Miami football program. Part of that gift helps launch the Randy and Tammy Walker Endowed Football Scholarship, which will provide annual assistance to one or more Miami football student-athletes.

“It was because of Miami Football that we had the chance to live the life we always dreamed of,” Tammy Walker said. “Miami was a springboard to Randy as a player, as a coach just starting out, and again as a head coach. It was so important to us. We were so grateful for the experiences it made possible, and it just seems natural to give back.”

Randy Walker, a standout fullback on Miami’s legendary football teams of the mid-1970s, served as Miami’s head football coach from 1990-98, posting seven winning seasons and a Miami record 59 football coaching victories. He later went on to lead Northwestern University to an unprecedented three bowl game appearances and a share of the 2000 Big Ten title. Walker, who is enshrined in both the Miami University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Cradle of Coaches Association, passed away unexpectedly in 2006.

“Coach Walker dedicated 29 years of his life to the coaching and mentoring of student-athletes, and Tammy played a crucial role in his success,” said Miami Director of Athletics Brad Bates. “There are few names more synonymous with the modern era of Miami football than those of Randy and Tammy Walker, and it is fitting that their legacy will be preserved through a scholarship supporting future generations of Miami Football student-athletes.”

The Walker family, including Tammy Walker, and the memory of Randy Walker are being honored following the first quarter of Saturday’s home football game versus Colorado State University. Kickoff at Yager Stadium is 3:30 p.m.

The Randy and Tammy Walker Endowed Football Scholarship, which specifically supports football student-athletes playing offense, will yield support in perpetuity, and its impact will grow through additional contributions from those wishing to honor the Walker legacy. Those wishing to learn more about supporting the scholarship can contact Jude Killy, director of development for intercollegiate athletics, at 513-529-0343 or killyja@muohio.edu.

The gift also supports the Miami University Campaign For Love and Honor, a $500 million initiative supporting scholarships, faculty, student-learning opportunities, academic programs, and facilities and grounds.