Coach Walt

February 13, 2011 11:23 AM

Wake Forest University's slogan for their baseball team in 2011 is 'What are you willing to sacrifice to help make this team better?' "Head coach Tom Walter's intent was to have his players thinking about sacrifice bunts, moving runners over, and giving up personal glory to help the Demon Deacons improve as a team. But what Walter chose to sacrifice is greater than simply hanging in on a curve ball and taking one for the team. Walter gave up a kidney."

"The story... is a reminder not only of the depth of some people's generosity but also of the need for more tissue donation to serve African Americans and other under-represented minority groups."

Further coverage: USA Today, ABC, ESPN: 1, 2.

posted by zarq (6 comments total)

Deadspin: No, A Coach Donating His Kidney To A Player Isn’t An NCAA Violation; Yes, They Had To Make Sure First
posted by zarq at 11:23 AM on February 13, 2011 [3 favorites]

Wow. That is a coach, dude.
posted by jonmc at 11:26 AM on February 13, 2011

"But coach, I'm tired! I don't want to run laps."
"I gave up a kidney. Run the fucking laps."

"But coach, it's just easier for me to pull the ball to left field."
"I gave up a kidney. Hit the ball behind the goddamn runner."

"But coach, it's a grounder to second. I don't need to run it out."
"I gave up a kidney. So, make like Charlie Hustle."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:31 AM on February 13, 2011 [8 favorites]

"Demon Deacons" has gotta be one of the best team names in collegiate athletics.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:15 PM on February 13, 2011

Walter had one of his kidneys removed and donated to Kevin Jordan, a freshman member of the Wake Forest baseball team.

Only one? I suppose he had anesthetic.

You want someone who sacrificed for the team: Hughie Jennings was hit by a pitch 51 times in one season. That's taking it for the team.
posted by three blind mice at 1:14 PM on February 13, 2011

zarq, that's the first thing I thought of when I heard the story the first time. It's a shame that Deadspin seems to be the only site leading with the most absurd, and potentially most cruel aspect of the story.
posted by Ghidorah at 4:09 PM on February 13, 2011