Meet the Answer Man for Oregon High School Sports

All things Oregon prep sports and activities revolve in the orbit of the OSAA’s Steve Walker

In this age of Google, most of us simply turn to our favorite internet search engine, enter the information we want, and click on a few links to gather the necessary facts.  But for some specific tidbits, these searches come up short in terms of actual details.

When it comes to Oregon prep sports, the Oregon School Activities Association has a plethora of information about prep sports and activities—much of which can be easily accessed on their webpage (OSAA.org).  But older information is frequently limited, especially for those seeking details about specific games, players, and even season records.

Enter Steve Walker.  The 59-year old graduate of Beaverton’s Sunset High School and the OSSA’s Sports Information and Media Relations Director has lots more of that deep prep sports history (and some activities history) at his fingertips, ready to share it with members of the media and even the general public.

In all cases, the evolution of internet technology has made it easier to share the information with those who want it—without the need for photo copies or mailings.

To be clear, Steve Walker’s job goes well beyond prep sports historian for Oregon.  He coordinates media services for all of the state championship sites—which sportscasters like me are eternally grateful to have available.  He distributes media credentials, works with the OSAA IT-staff on internet logistics for championship coverage, and is one of several workers who manage the ever-growing OSAA website.

Walker started work at the OSAA’s Wilsonville offices in July of 2000.  He had previously spent nine years as Sports Information Director at the University of Portland, then took a two-year break from the grind of sports coverage, working for the family business of Walker Garbage and Recycling, driving trucks and working in the office.

When the OSAA job came open, Walker’s mind was in the right place.  He was ready to return to communications.

“I felt the itch to get back into it,” confesses Walker, “and the OSAA was the right fit.”

OSAA staffers and Oregon media members would agree with Walker’s assessment about the fit.

To call him invaluable is not a stretch.  Press members all across Oregon count on Walker to send them the all-important media credentials, and help them with questions about sports schedules, coaching changes, playoff deadlines… and the list goes on.  And, of course, there is that historical data—sought out by the media, schools, booster clubs and the like.  And for most of this work, Walker is on his own.

“I am a little bit out on an island,” admits Steve.

But once championship seasons begin—his solo status changes.  He works closely with the OSAA’s assistant executive directors.

“I am support for their activity,” says Walker.

That support includes setting up of media areas with internet, distribution of equipment of the OSAA Radio Network, logistical support for statistics crews, and more.  Walker relishes the challenge.

“It was enjoyable to set up everything (for track and field) at the brand-new Hayward Field facilities at the University of Oregon,” says Walker with a smile in his voice.  Spoken like a true sports information veteran and former radio sportscaster.  There is nothing like a state-of-the-art facility to get the technology nerd in all of us excited.

Walker admits the championship events are the toughest part of his job—if nothing else because of things like 16-hour work days.  He also has a much higher volume of media inquiries to handle.

“As a former media person, I understand the issues with radio, tv and print,” says Walker sympathetically.

“I must be nimble and pivot to prioritize the needs of all those covering these events.”

And nimble, Steve Walker is.  Outfitted in his trademark OSAA polo shirts and cargo shorts or pants, Walker seamlessly moves between greeting media members and calling facility support about internet problems, while trying to choke down a little bit of food to keep up his energy.  On any given day, Steve is either sporting the OSAA polo, an Oregon State shirt (from his alma mater), or perhaps a top from the Walker Garbage family business.  Call it his uniform, if you will.

Beneath Steve’s good-natured persona is a man driven to serve an entire state.  And he isn’t shy about sharing the joy of completing that mission on an annual basis.

“This is a massive challenge that provides massive satisfaction,” says Walker with resolve.

“I love our state, and have spent time in many areas.  Oregon is so geographically diverse, and it bring challenges and rewards as we work every year.”

Walker says it is that diversity that makes him feel like he is part of something “much bigger than myself.”

As for the future of prep sports in Oregon, Walker says he sees a number of possible changes on the horizon—including multiple classification of different sports in the same school.  For example, a school might compete at the 6A level in football, but the 4A level in basketball.  It would all be based on assessment of competition.  He says that competition may return to a more regional arrangement for games, but that those local teams competing may be at different levels from one another.  The results of those games could still used to compute playoff seedings.  He also says that post season championships could be held at new and different sites.  But how that plays out over the next couple of decades is unclear.

For now, Steve Walker is happy with serving as Oregon’s answer man for prep sports.

“I love our state—there’s some differences between different regions that make it fun and bring something special to Oregon as a whole.”

Whether you are from Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Salem, Coos Bay, or Imbler, Steve Walker has your back when it comes to prep sports and activities.  And he does it all with a smile---and a polo shirt.