HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
GARY WALTERS, NEWARK
2002 RECIPIENT
Gary
attended the Lakewood School District were he played football, basketball, and
baseball; graduating in 1962. He continued his education at Capital University
majoring in history and graduating in 1966. While at Capital he earned seven
letters, three in basketball and four in baseball. He was co-captain of the
1965-66 basketball team and led the team in scoring. In baseball he was twice
named the most valuable player and ranked near the top of the Ohio Athletic
Conference in most pitching areas. Gary earned his masters degree in 1970 from
Ohio University.
Walters spent one year at Licking Valley and began his
teaching and coaching career at Newark in 1967. He coached the freshmen in
football, basketball, and track teams at Roosevelt Junior High School compiling
a record of 96-9 in all sports. In May of 1972, he was appointed as head
basketball coach at Newark High School where he served for twenty-seven years
until his retirement in 1999, with a record of 409-199. During his tenure Newark
won twelve league titles, seven district championships, and one regional
championship in 1981. It was during this year that his Newark Wildcats, led by
Mike Giomi, played one of the most memorable games in state tournament history,
losing to Dayton Roth 83-81. Over fifty of his former players went on to play
college basketball.
Gary lists as personal highlights in his outstanding career
as being selected for the Paul Walker Award in 1999, being nominated for the
National Teacher of the Year, and being elected President of the Ohio High
School Basketball Coaches Association, and his induction into the Hall of Fame. His personal philosophy is guided by several principles: be
yourself; organization and attention to detail are keys to success; and high
expectations for all students.
Gary has been married to his wife Vicci for 32 years and they
have two sons, Kyle 28, a teacher at Newark High School and Vince 21, a student
at Capital University.
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