Speedy Walker

Ion Sessions "Speedy" Walker was a college football and basketball player for the Florida Gators. He served in World War 2. He served with the 467th Heavy Bomb Group in England.

Early years

Walker was born in Olivet, Michigan to Osa Walker and Lottie Sessions. By 1920 his family has moved to Oldsmar. Walker attended Hillsborough [High School (Tampa, Florida)|Hillsborough High School] in Tampa, playing on the football team and basketball team with Dutch Stanley, where they were runner-up for the 1923 state football title, losing to Lakeland High School and Goof Bowyer. Walker was captain of the state champion 1923-24 basketball team.

University of Florida

He was a prominent triple threat halfback for coach Tom Sebring's Florida Gators football teams in 1926 and 1927. The smallest member of the backfield, Walker played as a quarterback in 1924 on the freshman team. He backed up Bowyer at quarterback on the varsity. He was also the senior captain of the basketball team during the 1927–28 season. He was a forward on the basketball team. He also lettered in baseball. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.

Coaching career

Following graduation, he coached the athletic teams at Bay County High School in Panama City.