University of Evansville 1978-79 head coach Dick Walters shakes the hand of DePaul head coach Ray Meyer. DePaul beat UE 74-55.
(Photo: Courier & Press Archievs)
EVANSVILLE, IN — Dick Walters was excited to land a Division I college basketball head coaching job. Though only 28, he had shown his ability, leading College of DuPage near Chicago to high levels of success.
But the University of Evansville position in 1978 was no small challenge. The community and school were reeling from the loss of their entire team and head coach Bobby Watson in a downed airplane.
It wasn’t just another coaching vacancy.
“One of the most difficult things was dealing with the emotions of the community,” he said 40 years later. “Even more so than recruiting. When you’re a junior college coach, you rebuild every year, and I had a reputation as a great recruiter.
Please click below to read part three of this series from John Martin of the Evansville Courier & Press
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