Dover, DE — Delaware State University Director of Athletics Chuck Bell has announced the appointment of First State native Dr. Earl E. Walker, Jr. as head coach of the university’s wrestling team, effective in mid-December.
Walker, 33, succeeds Darren Archangelo, who resigned this fall after two seasons.
The Middletown, Delaware native is a prominent psychologist, former collegiate All-America, and state high school wrestling champion.
“Delaware State University is very fortunate to hire a coach with the credentials of Dr. Earl Walker,” Bell said. “His professional and athletics successes are proof of his commitment to excellence. I am certain he can lead our wrestling program to long-term success.”
Walker brings a wealth of experience as a wrestling coach and teacher to Delaware State.
Presently, he is owner and director of Basics Plus Wrestling Camps in Newton, MA. His responsibilities include wrestling instruction to elementary, middle and high school students.
Walker has served three stints as an assistant wrestling coach at Boston University, most recently from September 2000 to June 2004. He previously held the post on two occasions from 1995 to ’98.
From September 1996 to May ’97, he was an assistant coach at the University of California-Davis.
Walker also served as Assistant Director and Site Manager for Carl Adams World Class Wrestling School in Boston from 1992 to 2004.
As a wrestler at Boston University, Walker was a 1994 NCAA Division I All-America in the 158-pound division. He earned the “Mickey” Cochran Memorial Award, presented to Boston University’s top male athlete, for the 1993-94 school year. In 2002, Walker was inducted into the Boston University Athletics Hall of Fame.
While at St. Andrews School near Middletown, Delaware, Walker was a two-time Delaware high school state champion, winning the 145-pound title as a junior and the 152-pound division during his senior year.
He was inducted into the Delaware Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.
Delaware State University Associate Director of Athletics Doug Dowdy led the search for the new wrestling coach.
“”Dr. Earl Walker is the highest caliber individual we could possibly find for the position,” Dowdy said. “We are extremely fortunate that he has chosen to join us.”
Dowdy believes Walker’s appointment marks the beginning of a bright new era for the Delaware State wrestling program.
“We appreciate the patience of our wrestling team members, and are certain they will lead the way in support of coach Walker throughout the state,” he added. “Walker’s return to Delaware is a tremendous boost to the university, our student-athletes and the state wrestling community.”
Walker holds three degrees from Boston University. He earned a bachelor’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 1995, a master’s in Human Movement (Health and Wellness) in 1998, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 2003.
In addition, he has performed doctoral studies in Health psychology at Columbia University, Teachers College in New York.
Walker is presently Executive Director and Sport Psychology Consultant for Self Realization (SR) Consulting, Inc. in Newton, MA.. In addition, he has served as a School Psychology Consultant for The Academy North in Reading, MA since September 2004, and The Psychological Centers in Middletown, RI since November 2004.
“I’m grateful to Delaware State University for giving me the opportunity to return home and coach at the Division I level,” Walker said. “The state of Delaware has a strong high school wrestling tradition, and I look forward to helping young men pursue their dreams at the collegiate level.”
He added, “I am excited about the university administration’s commitment to the wrestling program, and its goal to make it one of the best in the nation.”
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