Remembering Walter Nadzak Jr.
Known personally and professionally as a model of honor and integrity, Walter Nadzak was an accomplished high school and college hall of fame athlete, a veteran U.S. Marine, minor league football player, and high school and collegiate baseball and football coach when he arrived at Juniata in 1969.
Arriving from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, where he was the baseball coach and assistant football coach, Walt served as head football coach from 1969 to 1976 and as Athletic Director from 1969 to 1977.
Over his eight seasons with the Blue and Gold, he put together a record of 45-26-3. In 1973, Walter led the squad to a 10-2 record as they upset Bridgeport 35-14 in the NCAA Division III Eastern Championship Game, giving the program its 200th win. This earned the team a berth in the National Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Phenix City, Ala. He left as the winningest football coach at Juniata and became the head football coach at the University of Connecticut.
Over the years, Walt had the opportunity to meet many famous people, including Neil Armstrong, President Gerald Ford, President Ronald Reagan, and Jack Hanna, whom he had coached at Muskingum.
After a brief hiatus away from college athletics, he made his way to The Citadel to be its Athletic Director, where he spent the next 15 years leading the department. His accolades were various, including being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2008.
Walter Nadzak Jr., aged 86, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2022, in Charleston, S.C., after a heart-wrenching battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on July 15, 1935, in Ambridge, Pa., he was united in marriage to the former Shirley Ann Meyer. His wife of 62 years preceded him in death on June 29, 2019.
Walter is survived by his sister, Sandra; his four children, Cary, Tracey, Tripper, and Jeff; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who lovingly called him “Dah” or “Gramcracker.”
In addition to his beloved wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty.
Walter was inducted into the Ambridge High School, Ambridge, Pa., and Beaver County Halls of Fame after earning seven letters and winning All State honors as a senior. His prowess at Denison University in Ohio, where he lettered four years in football and baseball, earned him a place in their Hall of Fame. At Denison, Walter was the football team captain and MVP his senior year, and a three-time first-team All-Ohio Conference selection. In baseball, he was voted MVP and was a star hitter, with a .434 batting average.
After graduating from Denison, Walter served as a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from active duty as a 1st Lieutenant before serving as a Captain in the Reserves.
He continued his education by attending night school at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he earned his master’s degree. Walter also played minor league football with the Columbus Colts.
Walter’s coaching career led him to positions at Sylvania, Chillicothe, and Utica high schools in Ohio. Then he threw his hat into the college football arena when he accepted a coaching position at Muskingum College in Ohio. Juniata College was the next step in his career. He served as Athletic Director and head football coach, compiling a 45-26-3 record, earning a bid to the first NCAA Division III National Championship in 1973, and leaving as the winningest football coach at Juniata. He accepted a head football coaching position at the University of Connecticut.
The couple ultimately settled in Charleston, S.C., in 1985. There, Walter served for 15 years as the Athletic Director at The Citadel before his retirement in 2000.