CHAMPAIGN — Sonny Walker is now overseeing the same hardwood floor on which he starred for Centennial’s boys’ basketball team three decades ago.
And the rest of the Chargers’ playing surfaces.
Walker’s decades-long association with the Champaign high school came full circle in May when he was approved to succeed Robert Lopez as his alma mater’s athletic director.
“We’re super excited to try to uplift Centennial athletics,” Walker said. “We’ve had some great athletic directors in the past so I just want to continue on that path and get the town painted in blue and get as much school spirit as possible.”
Once a standout athlete for coach Coleman Carrodine at Centennial, the 1996 grad guided the Chargers to two conference titles and collected All-Big 12 and All-Area honors before moving on to Chicago State and South Dakota State.
He’s done a bit of everything within Unit 4 Schools since returning in 2006, starting as a physical education teacher and coach before moving into an administrative role for the last five years.
“Obviously, it’s something new,” Walker said. “But just being around the district and being able to see and experience a lot is going to help me in this role, kind of know what to expect and what I’m looking for as far as what I want athletics to look like with myself and my team.”
Among the first tasks for Walker is creating synergy with Champaign Central, who also welcomes a new athletic director in Patrick Cox. Cox officially started with the Maroons on July 1.
The crosstown rivals have worked together in the past, notably with the annual Coleman Carrodine alumni game that will be contested for the third year in a row on Aug. 3.
“It’s a community, and while we’re rivals, we want to be celebrating the good and not any kind of bad,” Cox said.
“We’re trying to make it the best experience for all the student-athletes in the whole area, just get everyone on the same page and work hard to really make both athletic programs great.”
The annual alumni game — which Centennial will host for the second time after hosting the first edition in 2022 — is something Walker has been heavily involved with since its inception.
“Obviously, the game right now is a rubber match,” Walker said. “Both teams are 1-1 so all the guys are excited to compete in that game.”
Creating positive outlets for Champaign students fits with Walker’s low-key personality.
“I don’t do a whole lot of bragging and stuff. I just want to put on for the community and the kids,” Walker said. “And hopefully our community comes out to support our kids throughout the school year. That’s the thing I’d like to see.”
Walker has remained heavily involved with Centennial’s athletic department since his playing career ended, including as one of Tim Lavin’s assistant coaches during back-to-back Class 3A state finals trips in 2009 and 2010.
But it wasn’t until after Walker was named Centennial’s top athletic administrator that it sank in for the 2009 state champion.
“I didn’t really realize how big it was until after I got named athletic director and then talking with people in the community,” Walker said. “And people just showing a lot of support for me personally and professionally.”
Walker faced immediate decisions upon taking the reins after Lavin retired and girls’ basketball coach Tamara Butler stepped away, making the replacement of the school’s basketball coaches an urgent matter for the new AD.
New boys’ basketball coach Roger Hutchison and girls’ basketball counterpart Josh Sterling have Walker confident he’s placed the programs in good hands.
“Obviously with a guy like Tim, you can’t replace him,” Walker said. “So just trying to find somebody as close as possible and hopeful to build up something equivalent or even a little better, because I know Tim wants somebody there who’s going to do a better job than he (did), kind of like a father figure.”
More coaching decisions are to come for Walker, including with the Chargers’ baseball program.
“We’ve got a good group of coaches that really care about our kids,” Walker said. “That’s the most important for me, you’ve got to be able to care about our kids and make a difference in their lives. So I’m super stoked about that.”
Walker has spent the first few months of his new job getting his ducks in a row in regard to talking to families and dealing with school registration.
He credits a number of other people he’s had a chance to learn the ropes of his new job from.
“I’m super loyal and super prideful for Centennial athletics,” Walker said. “And then be able to jump in his role after watching great guys like Stan Lewis, Tony Miller, Brian Easter, Kaleb Carter, those type of guys who also bleed blue, I just want to carry that on.”
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