Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Rick Walker recognized for honorable act of heroism
09/20/2010 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Sept. 20, 2010
SIUSalukis.com
DALLAS, Texas - Southern Illinois University head swimming and diving coach Rick Walker was honored with the Adolph Kiefer Safety Commendation award at the annual United States Aquatic Sports convention Sept. 17.
The award is presented to the individual or organization that demonstrates outstanding commitment to aquatic safety and has included luminaries from a variety of fields who have demonstrated ongoing or instantaneous acts of heroism.
After coaching at 11 world championships and numerous open water races around the world in nearly every kind of weather and water situation, Walker served as a referee in the women's 25K race at the 2009 World Swimming Championships in Rome, Italy. He heroically saved the life of two-time world championship medalist Kate Brookes-Peterson of Australia when she began struggling for air during the race.
"It is with great humility and somewhat awkward feeling that I accept this award," Walker stated as part of his acceptance. "Humility, because I did not think of my actions as heroic. I saw the danger unfolding, it happened, I dealt with it, and continued with the rest of my duties of the race. It is awkward for me because there are so many coaches and officials who have responded to tragedies and, more important, have prevented them from occurring in the first place.
"I cannot put into words how honored I am to be recognized among those who want to provide fair play and a safe environment for our swimmers. It's about the athlete, it always has been."
Click here to view complete release from The Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Walker is entering his 24th year as a coach at Southern Illinois and his 19th season as head coach. He has brought his passion for open water swimming to SIU, introducing the preseason Saluki Miler and Open Water Festival at the beginning of last year - a weekend comprised of a 1650 freestyle open invitational and a 5K open water event. The 2010 Saluki Miler is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium in the SIU Rec Center, and the Open Water Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. at Little Grassy Lake in Marion, Ill.
