Wade Hampton Walker was a former All-American football player and Athletic Director of the University of Oklahoma. In high school at Gastonia, GA, he earned All-State honors. When drafted into the US Navy during World War II, he was stationed at the Jacksonville US Naval Air Station where his football career resumed for the next three years. After his discharge, he played for the University of Oklahoma where he was named Big Six All-Conference Player all four years, as well as being Oklahoma Player of the Year and the First Team All-American in 1949. He also served as co-captain of his team and led them to a Sugar Bowl victory in 1949. Instead of accepting the NFL draft by the Chicago Cardinals, Wade chose to coach, starting as assistant coach at both North Carolina State University and Texas Tech University. In 1954 he was recruited to be assistant coach at Mississippi State University, promoted to head coach in 1956, and named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 1957. In 1971 he returned to University of Oklahoma as Athletic Director. During his tenure, the Sooners had six national championships in both men's and women's sports. In 1986, Wade retired and moved to La Quinta, CA. He was survived by his wife Jean; children Carol, Ron, Gary, Anne, and Win; as well as sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Wade Hampton Walker was a former All-American football player and Athletic Director of the University of Oklahoma. In high school at Gastonia, GA, he earned All-State honors. When drafted into the US Navy during World War II, he was stationed at the Jacksonville US Naval Air Station where his football career resumed for the next three years. After his discharge, he played for the University of Oklahoma where he was named Big Six All-Conference Player all four years, as well as being Oklahoma Player of the Year and the First Team All-American in 1949. He also served as co-captain of his team and led them to a Sugar Bowl victory in 1949. Instead of accepting the NFL draft by the Chicago Cardinals, Wade chose to coach, starting as assistant coach at both North Carolina State University and Texas Tech University. In 1954 he was recruited to be assistant coach at Mississippi State University, promoted to head coach in 1956, and named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 1957. In 1971 he returned to University of Oklahoma as Athletic Director. During his tenure, the Sooners had six national championships in both men's and women's sports. In 1986, Wade retired and moved to La Quinta, CA. He was survived by his wife Jean; children Carol, Ron, Gary, Anne, and Win; as well as sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
