Jan. 6, 2003

James Walker has been named head women's soccer coach at Duquesne University as announced today by Director of Athletics Brian Colleary. Walker brings to Duquesne a history of success both as a head coach and player.

Walker comes to Duquesne after serving as the head coach of Tiffin University, his alma mater, the past six years. Over his career, Walker led the NAIA/Division II Dragons to four American Mideast Conference Championship crowns and to an 84-33-4 overall record. The Dragons went 45-2-1 in the AMC over his tenure. Tiffin was nationally ranked the past five seasons and advanced to the Regional Final Four each of his six seasons. Walker also led his team to the 2000 and 2002 NAIA National Tournament quarterfinals.

"James is proven winner who has what it takes to move our program in the right direction," said Colleary. "He knows the game both as a player and coach and has the ability to recruit top talent. We look for great things in the future for Duquesne women's soccer under his direction."

A native of Birmingham, England, Walker earned a bachelor's degree in business from Tiffin in 1997 and completed his MBA in 2000. He competed as a forward for the Dragons as an undergraduate from 1992 to 1995 and twice earned NSCAA All-America honors (1994, 1995). Walker helped Tiffin capture the 1992 and 1995 AMC titles.

Upon graduation, Walker played professionally for the Kalamazoo Kingdom of the USISL from 1996 to 1997 and was a member of the Cleveland Caps in 1998. He was also the assistant men's soccer coach at Tiffin for two seasons.

The three-time America Mideast Coach of the Year was runner-up for the 2000 BRINE National Coach of the Year award. Walker was also tabbed a three-time Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Coach of the Year.

Walker is the third head coach of the Duquesne women's soccer program, which began in 1995.