For anyone who knew him as coach, mentor or instructor in baseball or basketball coaching at NIU knows we lost a good one. He was such a joy to listen to his stories inside and outside of sports. I will always remember him asking people to try to picture their life in essay, even in coaching. (Mine didn't quite turnout as imagined lol)

I last saw him at Midway on way to Orange Bowl. So glad I got to chat with him and his wife. He is one of the 2 instructors at NIU I can remember having an influence on my thoughts, decision making and actions. The other being Gordon Hilton.

The world will miss Coach O but be grateful for his accomplishments and influence.


https://northernstar.info/80477/sports/s...ies-at-87/

NIU hall of famer Walt Owens dies at 87
Northern Star Staff
September 21, 2020

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DeKALB — NIU hall of famer Walt Owens died Sunday. Coach “O” was 87 years old.

Owens was the baseball coach from 1976 to 1982, winning 133 games. He was also an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team from 1973 to 1978. He was an NIU faculty member from 1973 to 2011.

He was an emeritus professor by the time of his retirement. Over his years at NIU, he mentored thousands of students, Larry Bolles, Owen’s best friend said.

He also served on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities and the Task Force on Racial Discrimination and Sexual Harassment.

Beyond NIU, Owens played in the Negro Leagues with the Detroit Stars from 1953 to 1955, and Owens remained in the city as a teacher for its public schools and served as a coach in multiple sports.

He was on the board for the National Congress of Black Faculty as well as a member of the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education.





Great read of his lifetime accomplishments

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Owens