Sun Bowl To Honor Northwestern's Randy Walker

Randy Walker coached his last game in Sun Bowl Stadium. (Steve Carrera/Northwestern Photo)

“Randy Walker came to El Paso and left a lasting impact on our staff and volunteers,” said Bernie Olivas, executive director of the Sun Bowl Association. “He had a magnetic personality that drew you in. It did not matter who you were, Randy made you feel welcome.”

Walker, who died of an apparent heart attack on June 29, was the Northwestern head football coach for seven years and compiled a career record of 96-80-5 in 15 years as a head coach at both Northwestern and Miami (Ohio).

At the 2006 edition of the Brut Sun Bowl, purple, black and white ribbons will be painted on the 25-yard lines with the inscription “RW” and “1954-2006.”

“Randy coached his last game in Sun Bowl Stadium and we wanted to find a way to honor him,” said John H. Folmer, president of the Sun Bowl Association. “This is just one small gesture to honor a man who meant so much too so many people.”

Walker participated in two Sun Bowls as a coach. His first visit to El Paso came in 1982, when he served as the quarterbacks coach for Dick Crum’s North Carolina squad that beat Texas, 26-10. He returned to the Sun City last year as Northwestern head coach, but came up short in a shootout to UCLA, 50-38.

The 73rd annual Brut Sun Bowl is slated for Friday, Dec. 29 at noon at Sun Bowl Stadium. The game will feature No. 24 Oregon State versus Missouri. This year will mark the game’s 39th consecutive appearance on CBS. Ticket prices range from $15 to $60 and can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office, any TicketMaster location or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call (915) 533-4416.