Mike Walker, your superior performances as the most prolific
wide receiver at WPI brought national attention to you
and your college, credibility to the WPI football program and
small-college football in New England.
Your coach,Mel Massucco, in 1976 volunteered, "Mike Walker is
the best receiver I have seen in my 25 years of coaching in the New
England level. He has good hands, a knack for getting open and what
I call sneaky speed." One scour from the New England Patriots,
said, "He has the best moves of any split end I have seen in New
England."
Through your four years, you set several school records and many
still stand including records for career and season receptions and
season career receiving yards. Against Middlebury in 1975, you
electrified a home crowd with an 89-yard touchdown pass reception,
a play which still stands as a record at WPI.
During your sophomore and junior years, you were named
Associated Press Little All- America and your fraternity, Sigma Phi
Epsilon named you to their national All-Star First Team. As a
sophomore, you received all-ECAC Devision III Honorable Mention and
United Press International College Division All-New England
Honorable Mention.
In your junior year, you were named both UPI and ECAC Division
III All-New England First Team and AP All-Division All- New England
Honorable Mention.
In the same season, you were listed on the New England Elite
All-Division Offense, one of only two Division III players to make
the top 50. Perhaps the most valued laurels were presented by your
hometown followers; the Billy Stuka Memorial Award and the Clinton
Exchange Club Award, during your senior season. The final college
award you received at WPI was the coveted Varsity Club Award, given
to the senior who is selected for his achievements, contributions,
character, leadership, sportsmanship and promotion of school spirit
during his career.
Your accomplishments on the athletic fields were not limited to
the gridiron alone. For three years, you were a member of the
varsity baseball team as a pitcher and gave basketball a try in
your freshman year.
Though a professional football career loomed on the horizon
after your final season, you opted instead to put the degree you
earned at WPI to work.
Mike Walker, it is the distinct pleasure of the Poly Club to add
one more jewel to your crown with your induction into the WPI
Athletic Hall of Fame.
