Academy's deputy athletics director departs for American University

  • Published
  • By Troy Garnhart
  • Athletic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy's deputy athletics director has accepted a job with American University as its 14th director of athletics and recreation, AU President Neil Kerwin announced Feb. 28.

Col. William Walker will join the AU staff in April.

"Billy Walker's experiences, character and values are perfectly suited to build upon AU's record of success in athletic competition and in the classroom. We were impressed by his demonstrated leadership as an administrator and his achievements as professor, department chair, and mentor of student-athletes," Kerwin said. "We were especially struck by his belief that elite athletes can also be elite scholars -- a value we embrace at this university."

At the Academy, Walker most recently served as professor and head of the Physical Education Department and deputy director of athletics. He was responsible for day-to-day operations of the Academy's athletic department, including 190 employees, 23 NCAA Division I Olympic sports, and a multifaceted program involving physical education, cadet fitness testing and evaluation, and an intramural program for more than 4,000 cadets.

"I'm tremendously honored to be selected as American University's next director of athletics and recreation. President Kerwin's confidence in me is truly humbling, and I can't overstate how appreciative I am. Everywhere I've been on campus, I've met people who are part of an integrated team of professionals. I'm thrilled to be joining that team and I can't wait to get to work," said Walker.

In his various appointments at the Academy, he also served as a physical education instructor, assistant wrestling coach, and director of the Fitness Testing and Evaluation Division. In 1993, he earned the Academy's highest instructional award. In 2001, Walker was appointed by President Bush as the first Permanent Professor of Athletics and Physical Education.

Walker has served as chair of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee and is a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee. An expert panelist for the U.S. Education Department and a key participant in the merger between two lacrosse leagues, he also spearheaded the formation of the Western Wrestling Conference in 2005, and still serves as its commissioner.

A native of Wisconsin, Walker graduated from the Academy in 1983. He earned a master's degree from California State University and his doctorate in physical education and sports administration at the University of Northern Colorado.

A command pilot with nearly 3,000 helicopter flying hours, Walker's professional responsibilities have included deputy command of the 89th Operations Group, an organization of 800 people responsible for directing the safe transport of the president of the United States, vice president, cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, foreign heads of state and other dignitaries around the world. His roles at Andrews Air Force Base also included commander of the 1st Helicopter Squadron and experience as a military assistant to the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Walker replaces former director of athletics Keith Gill, who left AU in December to become University of Richmond's director of athletics.