Bill Walker (Toledo basketball)
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Walker was an American basketball player best known for his collegiate career at the University of Toledo
between 1948–49 and 1950–51. He was a native of Queens, New York and played the guard position. Walker was known as an excellent dribbler and passer, and in the 1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season he became the first officially recorded national season assists leader with his 7.24 per game average.
It was during that season, his senior
year, that he became embroiled in a point-shaving scandal from which he and teammates were eventually caught. The game occurred on December 15, 1950 against Niagara
. The Toledo Rockets
were supposed to win by four points or fewer, but as the game dwindled down they realized they were winning by close to 20 points. After several minutes of intentionally mis-dribbling the basketball and throwing "errant" passes to make the score closer, the Rockets eventually won by only three points. This game rose suspicion among spectators that a fix was occurring, and after an investigation the team was found to be involved with the wide scale point-shaving scandal sweeping east coast universities. Walker graduated that spring just six weeks before the accusal.
Prior to enrolling at Toledo, Walker had served in the United States Navy
. At the time of his college graduation he was 25 years old, was married and had fathered one son. Walker showed remorse for his involvement in the scandal. In a July 29, 1951 issue of The (Toledo) Blade
, he was quoted as saying, "In the end all this scandal will help a lot of kids and a lot of schools. My own boy will never make the same mistake I did."
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
between 1948–49 and 1950–51. He was a native of Queens, New York and played the guard position. Walker was known as an excellent dribbler and passer, and in the 1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season he became the first officially recorded national season assists leader with his 7.24 per game average.
It was during that season, his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
year, that he became embroiled in a point-shaving scandal from which he and teammates were eventually caught. The game occurred on December 15, 1950 against Niagara
Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball
The Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team is the college basketball team that represent Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference...
. The Toledo Rockets
Toledo Rockets men's basketball
The Toledo Rockets team is the basketball team that represent the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1980. Stan Joplin was released from his duties as...
were supposed to win by four points or fewer, but as the game dwindled down they realized they were winning by close to 20 points. After several minutes of intentionally mis-dribbling the basketball and throwing "errant" passes to make the score closer, the Rockets eventually won by only three points. This game rose suspicion among spectators that a fix was occurring, and after an investigation the team was found to be involved with the wide scale point-shaving scandal sweeping east coast universities. Walker graduated that spring just six weeks before the accusal.
Prior to enrolling at Toledo, Walker had served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. At the time of his college graduation he was 25 years old, was married and had fathered one son. Walker showed remorse for his involvement in the scandal. In a July 29, 1951 issue of The (Toledo) Blade
The Blade (newspaper)
The Blade is a daily newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, first published on December 19, 1835.- Overview :David Ross Locke gained national fame for the paper during the Civil War era by writing under the pen name Petroleum V. Nasby. Writing under the pen name, Locke wrote satires ranging on topics from...
, he was quoted as saying, "In the end all this scandal will help a lot of kids and a lot of schools. My own boy will never make the same mistake I did."
See also
- CCNY point shaving scandalCCNY Point Shaving ScandalThe CCNY point shaving scandal of 1950-1951 was a college basketball point shaving gambling scandal that involved seven schools in all, with four in Greater New York and three in the Midwest...
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season assists leaders