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MUH recently claimed an Ohio Regional Campus
Conference state championship title following
its 1999-2000 season. Since then, it's all been
down hill for the Harriers.
Walker said that he believes he has the special
mix for a formula that can bring back MUH's
championship atmosphere.
"I think I can get the right players to come
here," Walker said. "If you don't have the players,
it's tough to win games. We need to get the
right players to come here and get them to trust
me. That will be really important. To get the
right group, that wants to play, that wants
to win, that has the same goals each and everyday,
is the key."
"It's all about dedication," he added. "It's
believing in each other, regardless of who it
is. We all have to be on the same page."
Walker's experience is credited for luring him
to his second coaching job. Prior to coming
to MUH, he coached North College Hill High School
in Cincinnati.
After graduating from Hamilton, Walker played
collegiate basketball as a three-year starter
for the Xavier Musketeers from 1990-94, where
he averaged 15 points, grabbed six rebounds,
and dished out three assists per game. Walker
also led Xavier to four NCAA Tournament appearances
in each of his four years as a Musketeer
Following his college basketball era with XU,
Walker went to Europe, taking advantage of the
opportunity to play professional basketball
for Poland. Walker achieved numerous MVP awards
and team championships during his seven years
in Europe.
"When I went to Europe, I looked at it as an
opportunity to keep playing, to fulfill my dream
of playing professional basketball," Walker
said. "It was a great experience. It made me
grow up a lot. I wouldn't change it for the
world."
Walker said he wants to bring a competitive
team back to MUH. It may take a little discipline,
but the results could get the Harriers back
at the top of the ORCC, where they were two
years ago.
"I'm going to emphasize that it takes hard work,"
Walker said. "It's not going to happen over
night. I'll promise the players that if they
work hard, it will happen."
The one thing that Walker wishes to fulfill
other than bringing competitiveness back to
MUH's basketball program, is putting its supporters
back in the stands.
"I want to get it to the level where people
want to come out and watch them play good basketball.
When you hear the name 'Miami University Hamilton,'
I want people to say, 'They have a good basketball
program.' I want them to say, 'They have a good
thing going for them,' Walker said.
"I think it can happen." |
