**“Walters Way: A Coach, His Runners, and His Race” – New Biography Chronicles Wilbert “Coach” Walters’ Impact**
Koehlerbooks will release *Walters Way: A Coach, His Runners, and His Race* on Monday, February 9. The biography, authored by Maureen McKane of Aurora, offers an in-depth profile of Wilbert “Coach” Walters, a dedicated coach who made a lasting impact in his community.
Based on interviews with Walters and his former students, *Walters Way* tells the story of how he singlehandedly uplifted his race by launching the Aurora Sundowners Track Club. The club focused on empowering marginalized Black girls during the civil rights movement, teaching them the fundamentals of excellence and preparing them to thrive in a world that often dismissed them.
Under Walters’ guidance, these young athletes achieved remarkable success, taking home Junior Olympic medals and overcoming barriers along the way. The book chronicles the triumphs and setbacks of Walters’ life, exploring his experience of living two simultaneous realities: one in which he was esteemed and awarded, and another where he was invisible and faced repeated setbacks. Notably, after enduring disaster twice, he learned to be prepared the second time.
*Walters Way* also delves into the unique perspective of a Black coach whose story is told to a White author as they both seek to understand the deeper meaning behind the journey.
Author Maureen McKane will present and sign copies of the book at the following events:
– 3 p.m., February 21 at Yellowbird Books, downtown Aurora
– 7 p.m., February 25 at Santori Aurora Public Library
– 5 p.m., March 14 at the GAR Museum, downtown Aurora
For those interested in a powerful story of resilience, community, and overcoming adversity through sport, *Walters Way* promises to be a compelling read.
https://thevoice.us/biography-celebrates-aurora-coach-who-launched-club-for-marginalized-black-girls/
