Gerran Walker is one of the fastest players on the entire
Lehigh University football team.
He has an innate sense to make people miss in the open field, and at times make them look plain silly attempting to bring him down.
However, when
Walker arrived on campus back in the fall of 2002, he was the one that was trying to grab a hold of something.
The
Atlanta native felt out of place in his new surroundings.
“When I first got here, it was a little overwhelming. You see kids driving around in expensive cars, with a lot of the luxuries that I wasn’t accustomed to.” Despite being almost 700 miles from home, and new to the Lehigh lifestyle, Walker was not about to pack his bags.
“I’m not one to leave when the fire comes. I’ve had to grow up faster than a lot of kids my age, so it wasn’t hard being away from my family. I just knew I had to work hard, and focused on what I needed to do, in the classroom and on the field.” He adds, “I’m doing this for my family as much as for myself. They have never had anything handed to them, so I know what it means to work hard. My family is very important to me.”
An Africana studies major who plans to pursue his dream of working in the business field upon graduation, Walker is grateful for the opportunities he’s been given at Lehigh. “I think I have a much greater perspective on life now. I’ve had to deal with a lot of people from all kinds of backgrounds here, and it’s helped me develop so much as a person.”
Already looking ahead, Walker and (former Lehigh defensive back) Duane Smith have interned in Atlanta for Mike Walsh ’90, the president of Lifegas, a supplier of the medical gas market for each of the past two summers. “Duane and I helped the drivers get the trucks ready for delivery in the morning, and in the afternoon, we’d develop a prospect database. (Head) coach (Pete) Lembo is really helpful in getting us set up with internships and jobs, with Lehigh alums and other contacts across the country.”
Meeting the president of a large corporation may be nerve racking to some, but as Walsh explains, Walker was composed from the start. “He’s a very polite guy who always stayed on task when performing his assignments. He was dedicated, worked extremely hard and was very dependable.”
Walsh continues, “I always like to sit down and meet these young men before they begin, and I remember that Gerran was a great listener. Sometimes, kids his age aren’t good listeners; they are too busy thinking about what to say next, but that wasn’t the case with him. He wasn’t intimidated at all and held himself together very well.”
In the classroom, Walker has been just as impressive. He even likens the Mountain Hawks coaches to that of the university’s professors.
“Professors like Sharon Levy and Heather Johnson have made life here much easier for me. They bring so much energy to the classroom, and make learning fun.” Walker then adds, “The coaching staff is the same way. They are a ‘hands-on’ group that cares deeply for our development on and off of the field. Whether it’s getting us a tutor for a certain class or putting in extra work on scouting an opponent, our staff is one of the best around.”
Hearing Walker say this now may not seem like much, but ask Lembo, and he beams when discussing the growth of his fleet-footed senior wide-out.
“When he first arrived, Gerran’s southern accent was so strong; I could barely understand a word he said. He was also very introverted. However, he has really blossomed in the last few years.”
Lembo continues, “Life at an elite academic institution like Lehigh is quite different than the world Gerran came from. While it required some adjustment on his part, he was wise enough to understand the opportunities a Lehigh degree could create for him - and he has never lost sight of that fact. I am extremely proud of the job he’s done here.”
While in high school (Atlanta’s Alonzo A. Crim), Walker excelled in four sports, but knew his future was in football. Early on in the recruiting process though, it was tough for Walker to find his college of choice. If not for one of his best friends and high school teammates (Will Arnold), Walker may never have made it to South Bethlehem at all.
“Lehigh was recruiting Will pretty hard, but I knew I could play too. So when Coach Lembo came down to Atlanta to speak with Will, I gave him my highlight tape.” Walker continues, “I am very thankful to my high school athletic director for helping me find the right college. I couldn’t overlook the academics that Lehigh had to offer, as well as the winning percentage and success it had over the recent years.”
Senior captain and free safety Kaloma Cardwell, who along with classmates Royce Morgan and Andrew Nelson, entered Lehigh’s Summer Excel program with Walker prior to their freshmen years. Cardwell re-tells the story of how it helped form their friendship. “All of us were part of the (Summer Excel) program, coming to campus six weeks before everyone else. We took it upon ourselves to become leaders of this class and to develop into the best student-athletes possible.”
Cardwell has lived with Walker for each of the past two years, and he says their bond off of the field, helps translate into success on it. “Because I play defense and he plays offense, Gerran and I are constantly going at each other during practice. Then, when we get home, we can tell one another what we saw. We’re always looking for ways to improve the team.”
As an elder statesman, Walker now helps the younger members of the Brown and White with their adjustment to Lehigh, a role he relishes. “I try and encourage potential recruits to join the Summer Excel program, and just let them know that the upperclassmen and myself are there for them, whether that means help in a class, on the field, or just taking them to the store for groceries.” Walker continues, “I had that support when I was younger, and it’s nice to know that you have someone to look to when you need it.”
Story by Mike Stagnitta, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
