EVERETT — Everett Community College is losing a “legend.”
The school announced Friday that athletic director and men’s basketball coach Larry Walker will retire Nov. 15 after 31 years in the Everett CC athletic department.
“During his career at EvCC, Larry has had a positive impact on athletes, coaches, colleagues and the community,” John Olson, Everett’s vice president of college advancement, said in a press release. “Dozens of players have come through the program and become teachers, coaches and mentors to youth. Former players have coached at the high school and college level.”
A community reception to honor Walker is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Walt Price Student Fitness Center on the Everett CC campus.
Walker started his career in education at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane in 1975. He came to Everett CC in 1985 as the men’s basketball coach, and in 1986 he became the school’s athletic coordinator. In 2001, he was appointed as the college’s athletic director.
Walker was integral in bringing back sports that had been eliminated at Everett CC, including baseball, volleyball and cross country. He also was a key player in the creation of the Walt Price Student Fitness Center, which replaced the gym the Trojans had been using since 1958.
“Simply put, Larry is a legend,” Everett’s associate dean of student life, Jennifer Rhodes, said in the press release.
Walker will be replaced as men’s basketball coach by Mike Trautman, a former Everett CC basketball player. Trautman inherits a team that was 16-13 last year.
Walker’s athletic director duties will be handled internally until a new director is hired, school officials said.
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