Norfolk Division Alumnus Recalls Football Playing Days

by Jamar S. Ross

When the Board of Visitors announced last spring that football would be returning to Old Dominion, 93-year-old Rhea Walker had mixed emotions.

“I wish they had never stopped playing 67 years ago,” he said during a recent visit to campus.
It was seven decades ago when Walker himself was a star for the Norfolk Division of William and Mary, which would eventually become ODU. Nicknamed “Scooter” by legendary coach Tommy Scott because of his speed, Walker played three years of football and ran track for two years.

Playing right halfback, he teamed with quarterback Dick Dozier to form what he calls “one of the most dangerous backfields around,” running Scott’s famed single-wing offense from 1932-35.

As he toured the campus, Walker marveled at the changes. “It’s amazing to see how much this campus has grown, when you consider I remember when there was only one building.”

Part of the physical growth can be directly attributed to Walker and his family, who all have a background in engineering. In 1935 Walker dropped out of school and began working for Hall Hodges Co. as a draftsman. The company provided the steel for several of the buildings at the Norfolk Division, including historic Foreman Field, where Walker has watched countless games over the years since it opened in 1936.

The next game at Foreman Field that Walker plans on attending is the Monarchs’ season opener in 2009, and although his days as a halfback have long since passed, he still hopes to make an on-field contribution. Sitting in his garage is a 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood that he describes as ODU blue. He’d like to have it serve in a similar fashion as the 1930 Ford Cabriolet Sport Coupe that goes by the name Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech.

“When the team takes the field in 2009, I’d love for that car to lead them out and establish a new tradition,” he said.