LeRoy T. Walker
U.S. Olympic Men’s Track and Field Coach, 1976 The Athletics Congress President, 1985-88 U.S. Olympic Committee Treasurer, 1988-92 U.S. Olympic Committee President, 1992-96
Athlete Bio#
Age
Died (Aged 93)
1918-2012
Hometown
Atlanta, GA
Education
Benedict College; Columbia University; New York University
Personal
Youngest of 13 children...Was the only member of his family to attend college, receiving a bachelor’s degree from Benedict College of Columbia, S.C., a master’s degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from New York University in exercise physiology and biomechanics...Served as head track and field coach at North Carolina Central...Served as head coach of the U.S. Olympic men’s Track and Field team in 1976, where he led athletes to gold medals in six events at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976...Was the first African American coach for a U.S. Olympic team...Treasurer of the United States Olympic Committee from 1988-92...President of the USOC from 1992-96.Hall Of Fame Bio #
Dr. LeRoy T. Walker was the first African American coach of a U.S. Olympic team and the first African American president of the United States Olympic Committee. Born in Atlanta, Walker was the youngest of 13 children and played basketball, football and track. He began coaching track for American universities, as well as a number of foreign Olympic teams. Walker also served as chairman of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States’ men’s track and field committee, before making history at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976 as the first African American coach for a U.S. Olympic team. He led the U.S. men’s Track and Field team to medal in 19 different events and earn six gold medals. Walker was named president of the USOC in 1992 and serving until 1996. He received the Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee, the highest honor awarded by the IOC, and earned 15 honorary degrees. Walker passed away on April 23, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina.
