Walt Owens

Walter Owens (Coach O)

• School Western Michigan University

• Born August 19, 1933 in Cleveland, OH USA

Biographical Information

Walt Owens played in the Negro Leagues and was a college coach.

Owens was with the Detroit Stars from 1953-1955 as a pitcher and outfielder. He played basketball and ran track in college, part of the team that set the Mid-American Conference 880-relay record. He later spent 22 years with the Detroit Departments of Parks and Recreation while also teaching for 19 years in the Detroit public schools. He was head coach of Northern Illinois University from 1976-1982, winning 133 games, and also was a professor there from 1973-2007.

Sources: Northern Illinois bio, NLB eMuseum