Hall of Fame
Excited”, “honored” and “special” were just three of the words Michael Walker used to describe his feelings on being selected as a member of the first class of the Bridgeport High Athletics Hall of Fame.
“It was a pretty big surprise,” Walker said. “I really had no idea that they were starting the Hall of Fame or that I would be considered. I have a great deal of excitement and I’m very, very honored to be considered for this.”
Walker, a 2005 BHS grad, won multiple individual and relay state titles for the Tribe.
“I think the support from the school and for all of the sports teams, but specifically for the swim team, was great throughout the years,” Walker said. “The ability to represent Bridgeport High School at all different levels and compete for state championships was wonderful.
“But I remember spending time with my friends. A lot of my family members were also part of the swim team. So it’s just been something that’s been a huge part of my life growing up and even post-high school. There was just a lot of great time spent with friends, family, great coaches and mentors that made my time at Bridgeport as successful as it was.
“You just kind of didn’t know any other way. The continued investment from the community and the administration at Bridgeport, they really understand that obviously the education comes first, but also the overall experience for students to be able to participate in sports and be successful with programs that have a history.”
That history is tied to Jan Grisso, the legendary Tribe coach who retired after last season.
“When I walked through that door, I knew that the program had won state championships and that Jan has been the cornerstone of that for decades. She was great. She really was able to solidify that team environment, which is a huge part of a sport like swimming,” Walker said. “One thing that I also think led to that success was the year-round swimming that we have in this area. We had a community of swimmers that was able to compete year-round.”
He also credited club coach Tom Plemons for his success.
“He and Jan worked hand-in-hand,” Walker said.
After his four years at BHS were up, Walker was just getting started.
At West Virginia, Walker was a team captain on the 2007 Big East championship team, winning the 200 backstroke in 2008 and the 400 IM in 2008 and 2009.
He was an NCAA All-American honorable mention in 2009 after playing 11th in the 400 IM at the national championships.
He qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 200 back, 200 IM and 400 IM.
Walker is now the associate head coach at WVU after coaching stints at Delaware and Texas A&M.
He previously was inducted into the Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Hall of Fame in 2019.
“There’s just a tremendous amount of success and tradition throughout the athletic department,” Walker said. “So to be in that inaugural class, it adds to that special honor, for sure.”
