Last month, Maize n Brew Dave and I debated Northwestern's worthiness for inclusion in a major conference, but no one ever doubted Randy Walker's quality as a coach or as a human being.  

Sadly, Coach Walker is no longer with us, as he died of an apparent heart attack on Thursday at the age of 52.  (My thanks go out to Orson Swindle for bringing the sad news to my attention.)  

I know I speak for the entire Bulldog Nation when I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Walker family, the Wildcats and their supporters, Northwestern University, and the Big Ten Conference on the loss of a good man and a fine coach at much too young an age.  

Coach Walker, you will be missed.  

Go 'Dawgs!