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Celebrating Walter Moore

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Remembering a Leatherneck Legend

In honor of Black History Month, we are honoring Western Illinois students, athletes and coaches from the past who have made a difference in Leatherneck history. Today we honor Western Illinois Hall of Famer, Walter Moore.
Moore was an NAIA All-American on the 1957 basketball team, which finished second in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. He had an outstanding coaching career at the high school and collegiate ranks, and was head coach of the Leathernecks from 1973-77.
 
When it comes to basketball, it is hard to find someone in Western Illinois history with a more decorated career than Walter Moore.

Moore won a pair of high school state championships at Mount Vernon High School before making his way to Western Illinois with a little bit of Leatherneck luck and a few detours.

"As the story goes from some alumni Walt was at the train station ready to head to Peoria to play basketball at Bradley," Western Illinois' Brad Bainter, who played for Moore said. "Instead, long-time Illinois basketball coach Harry Combes showed up and told him was needed at the University of Illinois where he became the first Black basketball player in their history. He left after one year and it was several years before Illinois recruited another Black player for its basketball team.

"One can speculate why Walt left but I don't have the answer."

Moore's journey to Macomb took another detour as he enlisted in the Army and then attended Tennessee State College before landing at Western Illinois University, playing for Stix Morley and becoming part of some of the most accomplished teams in program history, including the squad that finished second in the NAIA.

"That team won 29 games in a row and entered the championship game against Tennessee State as a favorite having beaten them earlier that year," Bainter said. "A 30-0 season and a national championship title for Western were within reach.

"Unfortunately, Walt, who was a great defensive player as well as a top scorer, sprained his ankle at the end of the semifinal game and could not play and Western went down for the first time that season."

After his playing days, Moore entered the coaching field, starting at Carbondale High. It was not long before his alma mater called him back as head coach Guy Ricci asked Moore to be part of his staff. Moore served on Ricci's staff from 1970-1973 before taking over as head coach of the Leathernecks, a position he held from 1973-1977. Moore compiled a head coaching record of 46-57.

After leaving coaching at Western Illinois, Moore worked in the university's admissions office until his retirement and he continued to reside in Macomb until his death. 

"Walt was truly one of the nicest people I have ever known and the reason I attended Western," Bainter said. 
 
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