Gator Softball’s Tim Walton Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Gator softball coach Tim Walton was inducted into the national fastpitch coaches association Hall of Fame Friday. In his 20th season at Florida and 23rd overall after starting coaching at Wichita State, where he improved the shockers by eighteen wins after just one season,

 Walton holds a record of 980-238 (.805) In 19 seasons at Florida.

Winning back-to-back national championships in 2014 and 2015, 8 SEC regular season championships, 16 SEC tournament titles and an outstanding 12 trips to the Woman’s College World Series making the championship series five times.

When Coach Walton was hired back in June of 2005 he said:

“I'm excited for the opportunity to coach at the University of Florida,” Walton said. “There are three things that make Florida a great place to coach and to play. It is a university with a complete package in a college town with an athletic department that has achieved so much success. First and foremost, my goal is going to be to achieve success at the Southeastern Conference level. From the first day of meetings we are going to be geared towards working hard to win that conference title. The SEC is one of the top three conferences in the country, so if we can take care of that goal we can work on regional and national success.“

Here is a coach that stresses academics and community involvement, as well as on-field success. The countless athletes that he has touched is impressive as many have gone on to play on Olympic teams or have success as doctors and in other professional fields.

It has been a ride following the softball team as the sport has grown from few fans and no television and mostly a West Coast sport to today where the SEC dominates. The Woman’s College World Series sets attendance records each year and Florida home games are a must see event. Televised games are a norm now bringing in more fans and interest.