Athletic Report
December 30, 1999

LINEBACKER MICHAEL WALTON CHOSEN TO PLAY IN SNOW BOWL
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University senior middle linebacker Michael Walton (5’10”, 215 lbs., Earth, TX/Texas Tech Univ.) has been selected to play for the West squad in the 2000 Snow Bowl. The Snow Bowl, now in its seventh season, will be played on Sat., Jan. 15, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. (CST) in the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. The event showcases top NCAA Division II talent, and typically attracts over 50 pro scouts. About 40 players from previous Snow Bowl games have made National Football League teams.

Walton, who led the Greyhounds in total tackles each of the past four seasons, enters the Snow Bowl after being named First Team All-America by four organizations this season. He has been named to the 1999 Burger King Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, the 1999 Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America Football Team, the 1999 Associated Press Little All-America Team and the 1999 Football Gazette All-America Team.

Walton finished his career with 515 total tackles (214 solo, 301 assists). He made 58 career tackles for losses (246 yards lost) and registered 15.0 QB sacks (119 yards lost). Walton was nominated for the Harlon Hill Award, which is the NCAA Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. He earned 147 tackles this year, including 89 unassisted tackles, 58 assists, 22 tackles for losses and 7.0 quarterback sacks.

He was the Lone Star Conference South Division Defensive Lineman-of-the-Year in 1998 and was named First Team All-LSC South in 1997 and 1998. He was chosen Second Team All-Conference in 1999. During four seasons at ENMU, Walton started every game and led the team in tackles each year. He recorded 96 tackles to lead the Greyhounds during his freshman season, then led the team and the LSC with 155 tackles as a sophomore.

Last year, he provided 117 tackles to lead the conference. This year’s 147 tackles allowed him to move past the 500-tackle mark and become Eastern’s all-time leading tackler.

Walton has also excelled in the classroom. He was named to the LSC All-Academic Team each of his final three seasons (1997, 1998, 1999). He was voted to the GTE Academic All-District First Team this season.