Whitman Hall of Fame
Earle Walker played football, basketball and baseball for two seasons at Whitman after transferring from Baylor University. Although he was an integral member of the basketball and baseball teams, it was on the gridiron where Walker stood out.
When Walker joined the squad, he had never played organized football at any level, yet, in his first season he earned all-conference honors at halfback. He proceeded to claim another all-conference honor in his second season, 1954, and was named to the small-college Little All-America Team.
Known as a quiet leader, Walker was voted co-captain his senior season. As teammate George Sullivan recalls, “Earle was a leader by example. He never said too much but when he did say something, like, let’s block or run this down their throats, everyone believed it.” As a result of his leadership, Walker was co-winner of the Niles Trophy, given by Whitman College football to the player most inspirational to their teammates.
Walker ran for 137 yards on 15 carries against Pacific University, setting a school record for rushing yards in a single game. Teammate Ted Hansen remembers, “Earle had the ability to use his down field blockers. He was exceptionally maneuverable and smart and durable. He always positioned himself so that he kept his blocker between him and the approaching tackler.”
