Lou Walker begins his fifth season as an assistant coach with the Hartwick men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams in 2023-24. His coaching career spans over four decades.
Walker served as a head coach at Syracuse University from 1975-2011. He began piloting the women’s program in 1976 and also took charge of the men’s squad beginning in 1979.
Walker led the Orange men to Big East titles in 1980, 1982, and 1996 and placed second in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1990. Walker was a five-time Coach of the Year in the Big East, earning those honors in 1982, 1988, 1990, 1995 and 1996. In 1990-91, he guided the men to the best record in their history, 12-1. In 1995, the Orange men were 9-0 and finished the season with a 17-meet winning streak, dating back to the previous season.
He led the SU women to second-place finishes at the conference championship in 1983, 1984 and 1985. After joining the Big East in 1982, the Orange women won league titles in 15 individual events and three relays. Five of his swimmers would go on to compete in the Olympic Games.
In his collegiate career as a freestyle and butterfly specialist at Syracuse, Walker was the team captain for two years and set seven school records. As a senior, he competed in the NCAA Championship, the indoor and outdoor AAU Championships and the Pan-American Games trials. Walker received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Syracuse in 1975 and completed his master’s degree in education in 1980.
A 1997 inductee into the Syracuse Orange Plus Hall of Fame, Walker was recognized for his dedication to excellence and success with women’s athletics. On September 21, 2001, he was named a Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction, the highest honor bestowed upon an SU alumni from within the athletic department.
Walker arrived at Hartwick after serving as the Assistant Coordinator of Aquatics at the North East Independent School District/Head Coach Alamo Area Aquatics Association North East in San Antonio Texas since 2012.
