No, it's not politics, but I rarely ever use my diary quota, so I'm using this one for this. Deal.
Did Brian's Song make you cry? Did you tear up at the end of The Natural? Did you want to live on the Field of Dreams?
If you love a good sports story with heart, then you're missing a great one right now if you're not watching ESPNU or listening to the WGN Radio stream.
This summer Northwestern head football coach, Randy Walker (pictured at left), died suddenly of a heart attack. He was the only coach in school history who took the team to three bowl games, and beat every other team in the conference at least once. He was much loved and had a tremendous amount of influence, not just at Northwestern, but throughout NCAA and NFL football. He mentored a lot of young men, and nurtured future coaches and players.
Northwestern hired him in 1999 from his head coaching position at Miami of Ohio. He was also the winningest coach in Miami of Ohio's history, which is remarkable when you consider that Miami of Ohio is often referred to as "The Cradle of Coaches." He was much loved at Miami of Ohio, too.
When Coach Walker died, Northwestern appointed as his successor a school hero: young Pat Fitzgerald (pictured right), just 31 years old, and the star linebacker on the 1996 Rose Bowl team.
Tonight, right now, Northwestern is playing Miami of Ohio (at Miami of Ohio).
All the players on both teams are wearing Coach Walker's collegiate number and his nickname "Walk" on their helmets.
A lot of tears and memories to go around tonight, and a lot of youngsters, both on the field and on the sidelines, getting their start tonight, after having been nurtured by somebody who really was one of "the good guys."
From Northwestern... from Miami of Ohio...
Thanks, Coach Walk.
Update: Wildcats win! This one's for you, Coach.