VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- Randy Walker liked to say football coaches are the greatest plagiarists. Walker, the late Northwestern Wildcats coach, was himself a skilled copy Cat.
Some of the most important elements Walker brought to Northwestern -- the two-by-four emblazoned with "TRUST YOURSELF" that players touch on their way to and from the field, the program cornerstones of attitude and investment -- remain ingrained today and are things he picked up from others. It's the lessons behind the symbols that underscore Walker's impact, and why he's celebrated nearly a decade after his sudden passing from a heart attack on June 29, 2006, at age 52.