“It’s not about winning” declared Wilbert Walters, Aurora Sundowners Track Club founder and former head coach.
Walters, 97, and two others – Troy Davis, current Sundowners head coach; and Maureen McKane, author of a new Walters biography – were guest speakers at a February 25 reading and book signing at Santori Aurora Public Library.
“Winning is not that important,” Walters told a packed crowd, “it’s about doing your best. Enjoy yourself while pushing to be the best.”
To parents and caregivers he said, “Give all the love and attention you can to your children.”
He recalled that he advised club members, underprivileged Aurora-area youth, to “Come and listen, or go home.”
Author McKane, an Auroran, wrote a comprehensive biography of the former coach, “Walters Way: A Coach, His Runners, and His Race.” It details how, after teaching at East Aurora and West Chicago High Schools, Walters launched the Sundowners, a nonprofit for marginalized Black girls during the civil rights movement. The nonprofit has seven volunteer coaches.
The speakers took audience questions during the presentation.
The book chronicles how he taught the fundamentals of excellence and prepared his athletes to thrive in a world that says they are extraneous. On the way, they take Junior Olympic medals.
“Walters Way” was released February 9 by Koehlerbooks Book Publishing of Virginia Beach, Va. McKane said she compiled it from interviews with Walters and former students. She signed copies to conclude the library program.
Walters and McKane will be featured in a “Night at the Museum,” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14. Grand Army of the Republic military museum, 23 E. Downer Pl., Aurora, will host the duo in a free, public presentation. A question session and refreshments are included.
McKane’s book is available in hardbound, softbound and kindle versions from Amazon.com.
—Al Benson