Kevin Walden accepts position at Warren Wilson College

After serving two seasons as an assistant coach for men's basketball, Coach Kevin Walden is leaving St. Ambrose to begin his head coaching career at Warren Wilson College. Warren Wilson College is located in Ashville, North Carolina and is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

Coach Walden helped the Bees to a 33-30 record in his two years, including a second place finish in the Midwest Collegiate Conference in 2006-07. Walden also served as the head junior varsity coach and director of the Ray Shovlain Fighting Bees basketball camp.

In Walden's two seasons, he recruited 37 players to St. Ambrose and coached two 1,000 point scorers.

"St. Ambrose University and Head Coach Ray Shovlain have been great to me over the last two years," Walden said.  "I have learned so much and truly appreciate what he and St. Ambrose have done for me.  Coach Ray is a terrific coach and a better person and I can only hope to imitate the same success that he has had."

Prior to coming to St. Ambrose, Walden had spent the last five seasons as the assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach at Knox College. Walden was also a four-year letter winner and two-year starter for the Prairie Fire. He graduated with a degree in elementary education in 2001.

Coach Walden takes over a Warren Wilson squad that went 5-15 a year ago. He will also serve as the school's Sports Information Director.

"I consider it an honor and privilege to be named the head coach and sports information director at Warren Wilson College," said Walden. "I want to thank President Sandy Pfeiffer and Stacey Enos (Athletic Director) for this great opportunity and I am looking forward to working with them and the entire Warren Wilson community.  I could not be more excited about this opportunity.”

Coach Walden is the second Fighting Bee assistant in as many years to accept a head coaching position.

“Warren Wilson is very fortunate to have a person of Kevin Walden’s quality and caliber as a person and coach,” Coach Ray Shovlain said. “We are very appreciative for all his hard work, effort and leadership to our program. We hate so see Kevin leave, but we totally understand and support him in his future endeavors. He’ll do a great job at Warren Wilson.”