<p>Northwestern coach Walker dies of apparent heart attack </p>
<p>June 30, 2006
EVANSTON, Illinois (Ticker) - Northwestern football coach Randy Walker died Thursday night of an apparent heart attack. He was 52. </p>
<p>Walker, who joined the Wildcats in 1999 after nine years at Miami (Ohio), guided the team to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Sun Bowl this past season. He became the first coach in school history since C.M. Hollister (1899-1902) to register four seasons of at least six wins. </p>
<p>“Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Tammy, and his two children, Abbey and Jamie,” Northwestern director of athletics Mark Murphy said. “This is a devastating loss, not only for our athletic program, but for the entire Northwestern community. Randy truly embraced Northwestern and its mission, and cared deeply for his student-athletes, both on and off the field.” </p>
<p>A native of Troy, Ohio, Walker left Miami as the winningest coach in school history, posting a 59-35-5 mark with the RedHawks. He graduated from the university in 1976. </p>
<p>With Northwestern, Walker compiled a 37-46 overall record and led the team to a share of the Big Ten title and a trip to the Alamo Bowl in 2000. The first coach in school history to guide the team to three bowl games, Walker also helped earn the Wildcats a spot in the 2003 Motor City Bowl. </p>
<p>Walker, who received a contract extension through 2011 in April, ranks 27th on the NCAA’s all-time wins list (96) for active Division I-A coaches with at least five years of experience. </p>
<p>Less than two years ago, Walker was hospitalized with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle commonly caused by a virus. </p>
<p>-The Associated Press</p>