Truman State University Athletics

H.A. Walmsley was a two-time All-Conference performer in basketball and football at Roxana (Ill.) High School. He entered the university in 1958. While an undergraduate student, he was a three-year letterman in tennis and played football and basketball before a knee injury sidelined him from further participation. During his tennis career, he chalked up a 14-8 record at No. 4 and 6 singles and 7-5 at No. 2 and 3 doubles. For two years after receiving B.S.E. and M.A. degrees from the university, he was an assistant tennis coach at Granite City (Ill.) High School and an assistant football and sophomore tennis coach at Roxana (Ill.) High School. Mr. Walmsley returned to the university in 1965 and started the first wrestling program at the university. During the next four seasons, the wrestlers compiled a dual record of 57-12-2 and finished first twice, second once and fourth once in the MIAA tournament. Mr. Walmsley coached the first national champion, Curd Alexander, a member of this Hall of Fame, the first wrestler from Missouri to appear on the Annual NCAA Wrestling publication. He also coached Rich Beard, a two-time Bulldog All-American and member of this Hall of Fame and another Hall of Fame member Don Rowden. Mr. Walmsley was an assistant tennis coach for two years and head tennis coach two years. His 1969 team was 16-2, MIAA champion, NCAA regional champion and second in the NCAA national tournament, just barely missing the university's first national championship. His 1971 team was 18-7, MIAA Champion, NCAA regional champion and 19th in the NCAA national tournament. Two of his players, Dave Romberg and Ron Selkirk, are in this Hall of Fame. He also taught at the university since returning in the mid-1960's and also holds a specialist degree and an Ed.D. degree. Dr. Walmsley retired in 1994.