[NU Sports] SportsCenter Tribute

[neonrye at aol.com]

I just saw the 6 p.m. E.D.T. ESPN SportsCenter, which had a warm and reverential tribute to Randy Walker.  They even had a one-on-one interview with our own Brent Musberger, who usually annoys me these days, but who expressed everyone's shock and grief quite eloquently.  I write this email with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, for when they showed the tape of "the" Michigan game (51-48), fpr which Brent had done the play-by-play, I finally broke down.  I never realized how much I really loved RW's low-key, but dogged style on the sideline.  Brent raved about how the Coach so effectively used the "spread" and how, lacking depth, RW got his players in better shape than our opponents, so the Fourth Quarter was ours.  And I was so proud when they noted the 100% graduation rate he achieved the past couple of years.  God, how do you replace this guy?
 
 
One thing I have realized today, as this is really a big story, bigger than I could have anticipated--America seems to love the 'Cats and NU more than any of us really know.  Our scrappy and innovative style of play, refusal to ever give up, and dedication to academic excellence--all of which Coach Walker embodied--must remain the hallmark of our teams (especially, football) and our University, so that his memory burns brightly.
 
Paul Levinson
 
 
 
 
 
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.