STATESBORO - As part of Black History Month, the Georgia Southern Athletics Department and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group within the department are highlighting successful former Eagle student-athletes. GSEagles.com had a chance to catch up with former Eagle baseball star Chris Walker, who played for the Eagles from 1999-2002.
Walker was an outfielder for the Eagles who enjoyed an immense amount of success on the field. Walker scored 79 runs his senior season and led the team with 88 hits. Walker also had 48 stolen bases his senior year, and had a total of 103 stolen bases in his collegiate career. After Georgia Southern, Walker played minor league baseball from 2002-2013, making it all the way to AAA baseball, playing with the Iowa Cubs and Salt Lake Bees among other teams. Walker still actively works in baseball, serving as a professional scout for the Chicago White Sox.
1. How did your time at Georgia Southern pave the way for your success?
My time at Georgia Southern was a full growing process and to the man I am today if not for this university and the faculty, I don't know where I would be in life. I learned the value of teamwork, cooperation, and life skills that were necessary for me to succeed.
2. How did being a student-athlete prepare you for the position that you are in today?
Being a student athlete at Georgia Southern definitely prepare me for my current job. The lesson of time management was the biggest key for me. Learning when to asking for help and focusing on task that were important on a daily basis definitely paved the way for my current job.
3. What is your current career? What do you enjoy most about it?
Currently I'm a professional scout for the Chicago White Sox. I love the travel, and the ability to follow my passion. Baseball has been in my DNA since I was a kid and having the opportunity to work in the game is a dream come true for me. I was blessed enough to play professionally for 10 years and now having the ability to scout as something I could never imagine. Having the chance to watch how MLB works inside and out has been an eye-opening experience. It's amazing to see how different organizations run their farm systems. There's so much more to this game than the average person gets to see on television it's a complicated process.
4. Who was your biggest inspiration at Georgia Southern?
There were 4 people who are my biggest influences at Georgia Southern. The baseball coaching staff with
Rodney Hennon, Mike Tidick, and Sean Teague. These men taught me a lot about myself as an individual and what I could grow into. I was challenged on a daily basis and it made me mentally tough. They also showed me the potential I had as a player and as a man. The late great Dr. Willie Burden was a massive influence on me at Georgia Southern. He was the man that gave me guidance to complete my degree at Georgia Southern university. Dr. Burden was a kind man, and always had a positive outlook on life. He open my eyes up to the potential of life outside of baseball if not for him, I don't know if I would've finished my degree. I'm forever thankful to him
5. How do you hope to serve as a role model to younger Black athletes and women?
I hope to show young black athletes that playing sports is just the beginning of their life journey. If you're lucky enough to play at a professional level, it's a blessing, but know that having the opportunity to play at college and get an education is something that a lot of people don't get a chance to do. Take advantage of that opportunity to not just make yourself better in sports, but also better in life.
6. What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month for me as a time of celebration and learning. It's a period where the rest of the world can see the contributions of phenomenal black men and women. I think sometimes we lose sight of what was done before our time and this is always a reminder of those who came before us. Their sacrifices have led to opportunities that we have today and that is something I will never take for granted.
