Celebrating Black History Month: Chan Walker

Florida Atlantic University will be featuring stories of African Americans with connections to FAU athletic programs in honor of Black History Month. These stories will feature former FAU athletes of color who share about their experiences playing their sport, reflect back at their time at FAU, as well as talk about the significance of black history and the month of February. This series will feature four stories of former FAU student-athletes. We have already caught up with Gary Durrant, Sherri Pla and Jason Rocke. Last but not least: Chan Walker, former softball player (1995-96) and current associate head coach of the softball team.

Chan Walker has played an influential role in building the FAU softball program both as a player and a coach. As a member of the inaugural softball team in 1995, the Lake Wales, Florida native has seen the program grow to what it is today in her 19th season on the coaching staff.

Being a coach wasn't always the plan for Walker. Her dream growing up was to operate her own daycare, so there was no denying that she loved working with kids. As Walker was working toward attaining her criminal justice degree, FAU softball head coach Joan Joyce gave Walker an opportunity to be a student assistant, and other than from a four-year hiatus, she has been on the coaching staff at FAU ever since.

Walker started playing softball around 12-years-old, which was during a time when the sport wasn't as big as it is today. She loved to play sports and dabbled into basketball and pick-up football games with her big family composed of nine uncles.

"When I started playing softball, I can't remember there being a lot of black people playing the sport," said Walker. "I was one of the only black players on the team, but even then, I knew there were people who played the sport before me. It just wasn't as common as it is now."

When looking at the importance of black history in terms of sports, opportunity is one word that pops in Walker's mind. Walker has been fortunate for the opportunities she has been given to not only be a dominant player, but a devoted coach that has been able to make a positive impact in many peoples' lives.

"We now have the opportunity to play sports at the higher level and that's just one of the many significances," said Walker. "Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, which opened the door for everyone. I love how the MLB honors him throughout the month of April because him playing the game at the next level was a huge moment for all blacks."

Walker spent her first two collegiate seasons playing at Spartanburg Methodist College before transferring to FAU. Around November of 1994, Coach Joyce gave Walker a call, explaining that she was starting a softball team at FAU and wanted Walker to join her as a player.

The 1995 team pulled it together quickly and finished the inaugural year 33-18. On the team's first time out, they got the victory over Godley-Beacom 5-2 and went 8-2 in the team's first 10 games. Walker is tied for the best stolen base percentage in program history (.955) and is among the top-10 career leaders in batting average (.304) and on-base percentage (.389).

"We were scrappy, but everyone just wanted to go out and play softball," said Walker. "Nobody knew who we were, and we were the underdog."

The team finished the 1995 season as the runner up in the Atlantic Sun Conference, getting quality wins over Fairfield, Seton Hall and Campbell, to name a few. In Walker's senior year, the team finished 37-32 and advanced to its second straight A-Sun tournament.

"With building the team, we had players from all over," said Walker. "I have funny stories to go along with everything, but I guess one of my favorite memories was that we were the first. We were the first to set records and to do everything."

Walker has quite a few role models. While Walker was growing up, she had posters of Charles Barkley hanging up throughout her room and she admits that she may fall over if she ever had the pleasure of meeting him. Walker also wore No. 18 because of former Mets great Darryl Strawberry and looked up to other left-handed hitters, such as Tony Gwynn Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.

Walker has taken on more responsibilities with the program each season. Most recently during the 2018 offseason, Walker was promoted from an assistant to the associate head coach. As a coach, Walker has led the Owls to nine conference titles and seven NCAA tournament appearances, including back-to-back Regional appearances in 2015 and 2016. She also served as an assistant A-Sun Tournament Director in 1998 and 2000.

"With coaching, you hope you always do the right things for the kids," said Walker. "You can't look at this as a job because it's not 9-5 and the passion is the work you put into it. Every year, it's a different family, so that's the passion with the work you put into it when prepare to step on the field."

Coach Walker has been a true asset to Coach Joyce and the FAU softball program and continues to be to this day. Each student-athlete who has been able to work with Walker benefits from her ability to relate with others, passion for the sport and dedication to developing not only quality softball players, but young women as well. So, what keeps her motivated?

"I think just to be on earth another day," said Walker. "Coach Joyce gave me an opportunity to be at FAU and I'll always be thankful for that."

Walker has worked tirelessly to build the FAU softball program in an effort to experience a winning tradition year after year. The most important thing Walker does is to not look at the work she does for the team as a job. She just loves the sport.

"My passion is for the sport of softball."

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