Olympic Center named for Leroy Walker

The East Carolina University Board of Trustees on Friday (March 7) named the International Human Performance Center for Dr. LeRoy T. Walker, the former president of the U.S. Olympic Committee who developed the idea for the center.

The L.T. Walker International Human Performance Center on the ECU campus will begin hosting elite athletes, coaches, trainers and sports administrators from around the world this summer.

The center will test and evaluate an athlete’s physiology and performance and teach athletes, their coaches and others the latest scientific methods for training and improving performance.

Chancellor Richard Eakin said, “Dr. Walker is perhaps the most highly respected Olympian in the world. His 50 years of experience and unparalleled achievement as an athlete, coach and administrator in sports gave him the vision to create this International Human Performance Center.

“East Carolina University is proud to name this center after the man who has made it possible.”

Eakin also announced the appointment of Albert A. Delia as interim executive director of the center.

Delia, who has been actively involved in the planning, development and coordination of the center, will retain his position as associate vice chancellor for regional development.

Eakin said, “Al Delia has played a key role, from the very earliest conversations, in bringing the Walker Center to ECU. I can’t think of a better person to guide the creation of this wonderful new opportunity for our university. I am pleased that he has accepted the challenge of making the center a reality.”

Delia said, “I am thrilled to be working with a man of such great international stature and accomplishment as Dr. Walker. ECU has a strong commitment to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for the people of this region and I believe the Walker Center represents a chance for all of North Carolina to translate the international exposure the center receives into real benefits for our citizens.”