CHESTER, Pa. (June 22, 2017) - The Widener University community celebrates the life and accomplishments of former student-athlete, Walker Carter, 62, of Chester, Pennsylvania who was a member of Widener's Football and Track and Field programs. A 1978 Widener graduate, Carter, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
Carter came to Widener after graduating from Chester High School in 1974. He excelled as a wide receiver and sprinter for the Widener Football and Men's Track & Field teams.
Walker Carter was stand-out performer for the Pioneer football team that won the MAC championship in 1975 and 1977 -- making a semi-final run in the NCAA Playoffs in 1975 and then achieving Widener's first NCAA Division III Football National Championship in 1977.
The national title wouldn't have happened without the performance of Walker Carter and the two touchdowns he scored in final twelve minutes of that championship game. As a wide receiver Carter took a 70 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Mark Walter into the end zone to put Widener in control of the game late in the fourth quarter. The touchdown itself was Widener's last score of the game that held for a 39-36 National Championship victory over Wabash College.
Click the link for highlights from the fourth quarter of the 1977 championship game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beR7X8vWUQA
In 1977 Carter led the Widener team in receptions with 38 for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was recognized as an NCAA All-American by the Associated Press(AP), and by United Press International (UPI). Following the National Championship season Walker was signed by the Buffalo Bills as a free agent wide receiver.
In 1976 and 1977 Carter was named an NCAA All-American in Track & Field as member of the 4x100 relay teams. The 1975 4x100 relay team (Ron Hodge, Gary Foster, Walker Carter and Gibson Ivery) still holds the Widener Track and Field record of 41.29. But Walker Carter's impact on Widener doesn't end there. Carter returned to Widener as an assistant football coach and assistant track coach. In 1981 as wide receivers coach Carter helped guide Widener Football to their second National Championship defeating Dayton 17-10.
Widener Athletics celebrates Walker Carter as an accomplished student-athlete and contributor to the success of our athletic programs as well as his influence as a coach and leader among Widener student-athletes.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24th at 11:00AM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd. Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063. Visitation: Saturday, June 24th after 9:00AM at the funeral home. Interment: Private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1501 Lawrence Rd. Havertown, PA 19083. Condolences: www.msbfh.com
Additional Funeral Services: Saturday, July 1st at 1:00PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3011 N. Heald Street Wilmington, DE 19802, where a repass will be held immediately following.
