Sports Release
December 8, 1998

MICHAEL WALTON NAMED TO AFCA BURGER KING COACHES’ ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Eastern New Mexico University junior middle linebacker Michael Walton (Earth, TX/ Texas Tech/Springlake-Earth H.S.) has been named to the 1998 Burger King Division II Coaches’ All-America Team as selected by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Walton is the second ENMU player to be named to an AFCA All-America Team. The other was Conrad Hamilton (DB, 1994). Only 11 defensive players were named to the 1998 All-America Team.

Walton was chosen 1998 Lone Star Conference South Division Defensive Player-of-the-Year. He also earned a First Team spot on the 1998 Daktronics, Inc., Division II All-West Region Football Team as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Walton led the LSC in tackles for the second consecutive year, recording 117 tackles in 11 games.

“He’s an excellent leader, a two-year captain,” ENMU Head Football Coach Harold “Bud” Elliott said of Walton. “He’s probably one of the most intense players I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching.”

Walton transferred to Eastern New Mexico following three semesters as a student at Texas Tech. He has made a tremendous comeback to the game he played so well at Springlake-Earth High School in Texas.

He earned 96 tackles to lead the Greyhounds during his freshman season. As a sophomore, he led the LSC with 155 tackles, earned a spot on the All-LSC South Division First Team, was named to the Daktronics, Inc., Division II All-West Region Second Team and received Third Team All-America honors from Football Gazette. This year, he led the ENMU defense to national rankings in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and passing defense. His 117 tackles included 60 solo tackles, 24 tackles for 157 yards in losses and 7.5 sacks for 72 yards lost.

He has 368 career tackles, including 125 solo tackles. He has also made 36 tackles for losses and has forced 8 fumbles. He has started all 33 games in his ENMU career.

Walton helped Eastern’s team reach national prominence over the past three seasons. ENMU was 3-8 in 1996, then went 5-6 in 1997, before achieving an 8-3 record in 1998. The Greyhounds were ranked as high as a tie for 11th in the NCAA Division II Poll this fall, and finished in a tie for third place in the competitive LSC South Division.

In addition to his success on the field, Walton has been an outstanding student. He has a 3.40 grade point average and is majoring in Special Education. He was one of just 11 players named to the 1998 LSC South Division Academic All-Conference Team, and was an LSC All-Academic Team selection in 1997.

“Not only is he an excellent player, but he is an excellent student,” Elliott noted. “He’s really an amazing football player when you consider his size (5’10”, 205 pounds) and the number of tackles and big plays he’s made in the LSC.”

The AFCA has selected an All-America team every year since 1945. This year’s Division II team includes players from NCAA Division II and NAIA colleges and universities. Each recipient of the prestigious award receives a plaque commemorating his selection.