WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement today on the death of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker:

“It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the family of my friend, Dr. LeRoy T. Walker.  A transcendent leader in both athletics and academics, Dr. Walker achieved things few people would even dare to dream.

“Dr. Walker rose to prominence while at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he founded and led the university’s winning track team.  By the end of his career at NCCU in 1986, Walker coached athletes to 11 Olympic medals and sent track-and-field stars to almost every Olympic Games.  However, his love for coaching was not limited to NCCU.  Walker also led several international Olympic teams; rounding out his coaching career with at least eight Olympians, 30 national champions, and 100 All-Americans.  Dr. Walker’s impressive leadership resulted in him becoming the first African American president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, an accomplishment that solidified his spot in the Olympic Hall of Fame and as one of America’s greatest sports figures.

“Despite his iconic achievements as an Olympic coach and chancellor of NCCU, what was most remarkable about Dr. Walker was his innate ability to inspire greatness in the people he knew.  I am certain that I speak for the entire NCCU family when I say there will never be another quite like him.  My thoughts and prayers are with his daughter, son, and loved ones during their time of bereavement.”

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