Jack Walsh: Carrying on a Family Legacy at the University of Wyoming

By Jeff Bugher

jeff@pokesnews.com

8/24/24

University of Wyoming football traditionally embodies the hard-working values and cowboy code of ethics. Junior offensive tackle Jack Walsh embraces the cowboy way of life at his new home in Laramie, which is far from his hometown of Palatine, Illinois. Standing at 6'3" and weighing in at 312 pounds, Walsh is a force to be reckoned with on the field.

Continuing the Legacy

Jack’s father, John Walsh, was an offensive lineman for the Pokes during the late 80’s. He was a member of the ’87 and ’88 Western Athletic Conference Championship teams. In 2022, the '88 WAC Championship football team was inducted into the UW Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. Did John influence Jack's decision to attend the University of Wyoming? "It definitely played a part in my decision. He had the greatest time of his life when he was playing football here," Walsh shared. "When I signed here and came here, he was able to reconnect with so many of his buddies he played with.".

Unfortunately, COVID restrictions prevented Jack from touring the facilities, but he was still able to visit Laramie. "Something about it just felt right," he said. The history of this place, with my dad playing here, and the success of this program played a part in that. It was a really exciting time for my family when I decided I wanted to come to Wyoming, just to continue on that legacy that he started."

Finding Home in Wyoming

Adjusting to life in Wyoming from Illinois came with its challenges, but Walsh has embraced the Cowboy culture. "Oh yeah, I feel at home for sure. It was a little bit of a culture shock, for sure, but as time went on, it just felt more like home," he explained. "I loved it here and I loved the whole vibe. The Cowboy Way and all that stuff just really resonated with me. It’s definitely a second home for me."

Leadership and Goals for the Season

Last year, Walsh started all 13 games for the Pokes. As Walsh heads into the 2024 season, his goals center around leadership and setting an example for the younger players. "I’m starting to get on that older side of football, and I’ve played a good number of games at this point," he noted. "Just trying to be that kind of guy that the younger guys can look at to ask questions and teach them how to go about themselves on and off the field."

Jack continued speaking about the importance of his leadership. "It’s tough playing college football, especially coming in as an 18-year-old kid not really knowing what’s going on. You’re just kind of trying to figure things out and get through things, but just being that older guy they can look to for help is definitely something I’m trying to do more."

Teammates and Preparation

Walsh holds high regard for his teammates, particularly those he plays alongside on the offensive line. He praised his fellow lineman Nofoafia Tulafono, saying, "He’s such a great center. He’s a very smart football player, and obviously, you guys have all seen his raw athletic ability. It’s been really special playing next to him, someone you can really count on to help you out."

The anticipation for the upcoming season, especially for the opener at Arizona State, is high. "We've just got to stick to our game plan," Walsh said about facing the heat and the fans. "We want to play the best competition that we can play, and going down to Arizona State and competing against those guys is something we’ve wanted for a while."

Embracing Wyoming’s Scenic Beauty

Beyond football, Walsh has enjoyed exploring Wyoming’s natural beauty and engaging with the community. "This summer, I played in a golf tournament in Evanston with the Cowboy Joe Club, which was awesome. The people were so welcoming to me," he recalled. "I’ve also been to Casper and attended the College National Finals Rodeo a few years ago. That was a blast. I just returned from Yellowstone right before we started fall camp, which was unbelievable."

Looking Ahead

As the 2024 season unfolds, Jack Walsh remains focused on his role on the offensive line, helping create opportunities for the running backs and focusing on team success. "We want to block and get those playmakers the ball so they can make plays because that will win ball games," he emphasized. "There’s a lot of playmaking ability that can go around, and that’s what motivates us."

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