Oct. 27, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern Head Coach Randy Walker returned to practice Wednesday following his release from the hospital.
Walker checked in to Evanston Northwestern Hospital Monday morning where he was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart most likely caused by a virus.
Walker observed most of Wednesday's practice from a golf cart, then met with the media afterward to discuss his illness:
Q: How has this illness affected you?
Walker: "When you turn 50 you start thinking differently about your health. I want to see my grandkids, and when they tell you your heart has a problem, then you take it very seriously.
"A couple of years ago I made a commitment to lose weight and get in shape again and unfortunately this is one of those things that could not be helped by that."
Q: What exactly happened?
Walker: "I woke up Monday morning and had some chest pain and thought 'this does not feel right.' Now I'm a tough guy, but by 11 o'clock I knew something was not right so I went to the emergency room and the doctors got on top of it.
"The prognosis is there are alot of ways this could go, but most of them are pretty good. I'm in pretty good shape so the outcome should be good."
Q: Have you been cleared to coach Saturday?
Walker: "I have not been cleared yet, but I am probable (laughs). I will meet with the doctors again Friday and I am pretty confident that if I do not go backwards in the next few days they will let me be on the sideline.
"I'm trying to work with the doctors on this, and that is why you see me riding around in a golf cart. Driving around practice in a golf cart is pretty disturbing to me, but I am going to have to change my routine for the next couple of weeks. If I don't change the way I do things I am asking for something real bad to happen and I'm not going there."
Q: What effect has this had on the team and the coaching staff?
Walker: "Tuesday morning I was on the phone during our meetings. I trust my staff, but I also like to have my input. Coach Brown took over in my absence and we tried to put a plan in place in case I could not be there Friday, but I think I will be there.
"I think there were mixed emotions with the players (laughs). I know deep down they know I want the best thing for them, even if I am the most demanding person in their lives. The players like the routine we get into and I told them I've been way too much of a distraction this week. That's why I was anxious to get back out here to bring some normalcy back."