UW Hall of Fame Class of 2011: 7 Inductees in 7 Days

In honor of the newly inducted members of the University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, we will provide the seven inductees over a course of seven days.

Day 6: Jim Walden, Football, 1958-1959

Fifty-one years ago, the Wyoming Media Guide described their quarterback as a man known for his, "passing, running, punting and sparkling leadership." Jim Walden, the do-it all QB was nicknamed the "Mississippi Gambler" and was a real fan favorite, after leading Wyoming to consecutive Skyline Conference Championships.

Walden's first collegiate football came at Itawamba Junior College in Mississippi and he transferred to Wyoming prior to the 1958 season. That same year, he led the Cowboys to an 8-3 record and a Sun Bowl victory. Statistically that season, Walden threw for 491 yards and five touchdowns and punted 20 times for 801 yards (40.1 yard average).

His senior year, Walden led the Pokes to the a 9-1 record, earning Honorable Mention All-America honors and the Skyline Conference player of the Year. The numbers he produced in his senior year were nothing short of remarkable: 882 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns (leading the team); 35 punts for 1291 yards (36.8 yard average); 10 punt returns for 86 yards (leading the team); 329 rushing yards (second on the team). His total yards of offense (1211) were good for 13th best in the nation and best in the conference. His passing yards were the second most in the conference and he was the fifth most productive punter in the conference as well. In the 1959 season, Walden set Wyoming records for TD passes (11) and average gain per play (7.0 yards).

After his senior season, Walden was selected to play in the Shrine East-West all-star game, where he split QB responsibilities with a quarterback from SMU who would later be known as "Dandy" Don Meredith.

Out of college, Walden was drafted by the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League and the Denver Broncos of the American Football League. Despite these offers, he elected to play for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League where he would play for three seasons.

After his time in Canada, Walden began coaching high school in his native Mississippi before former Wyoming coach Bob Devaney hired him as an assistant coach at Nebraska. Walden was then an assistant coach at Washington State and soon took over head coaching duties. Walden was at Washington State for 9 years before moving on, taking over the head coaching position at Iowa State for nearly a decade.

Walden retired from coaching after his years at Iowa State in 1994 and quickly became a radio color commentator.

Be sure to come back to kowb1290.com tomorrow when we bring you the last edition in our series of 7 Inductees in 7 Days!

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