Jimmy Walker
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- Title:
- Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
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- Phone:
- 805-289-6423
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- Email:
- jwalker1@vcccd.edu
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- Years at VC:
- 4th Year
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- Bachelor's Degree:
- B.A. Cal State Monterey Bay, 2007
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- Master's Degree:
- M.Ed. NorthCentral University, 2010
Ventura College announced Jimmy Walker as the Pirates' Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2019. He served as the Interim AD for the 2019-20 academic year before being handed the position on a permanent basis in 2020. He helped the department navigate through the coronavirus challenge beginning in March 2020, and oversaw the Pirates return to competition in 2021, leadinfg VC to the No. 11 spot in the state in the NATYCAA Cup standings in 2021-22.
"Jimmy Walker has proven he has the knowledge, ability, and skill to lead Ventura College sports as the Athletic Director," said Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans in July 2020. "I appreciate his tireless work collaborating with our athletes, coaches, VC Foundation, and our community and I look forward to his continued contributions to our tremendously successful athletic programs."
Walker has been at Ventura College for seven years. He was an Associate Athletic Director for four years, working with facility management, facilities rentals, and social media. Additionally, he coached with the Pirate baseball program during that time.
Walker served as the head baseball coach for two seasons, leading the Pirates to a 46-37 overall, including a 23-17 mark in Western State Conference play. He led VC to its first WSC North Division title in baseball in 13 years in 2019, hosting the program's first ever playoff series at Pirate Park. As head coach, he helped 23 student athletes transfer to four-year schools, with most also continuing their baseball careers.
In 2016 and 2017, Walker coached the Pirates' pitchers and catchers, highlighted by two pitchers being selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft, and 12 pitchers transferring to four-year schools over two seasons, 10 with athletic scholarships.
Before coming to VC, Coach Walker spent the five years at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard. He served as the Head Varsity Baseball coach from 2010-2015 and Athletic Director form 2011-2015. In his five seasons as Head Baseball Coach, Walker led the Saints to their first league title in 22 years (2014) and two CIF Southern Section playoff appearances in 2012 and 2014. The 2012 playoff appearance was the first for the Saints in 20 years. He also coached two All-CIF Southern Section baseball players. Walker was voted Frontier League Coach of the Year in 2012.
Walker played college baseball at Monterey Peninsula College (1998-1999) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (2000-2001). He also played three years of professional baseball for the San Angelo Colts (Texas-Louisiana League, 2001), Duluth-Superior Dukes and the Kansas City T-Bones (Northern League, 2002-2003).
Walker's coaching career began in 2003 at Monterey Peninsula College. He served as the teams pitching coach and helped them to a then school record for wins in a season. He also spent two seasons as pitching coach at Monterey High School, leading the Toreadores to a third-place finish in the Central Coast Section in 2004 and the section title in 2005.
Walker was the Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Cal State Monterey Bay, a NCAA Division II school, from 2005 to 2010, Walker recruited two All-West Region players, four All-Conference players, helped three players sign professional contracts, and coached 29 All Conference All Academic players. His on-field duties included coaching the pitchers and catchers, running the teams' offense, and being the Director of Camps and Clinics.
Walker resides in Ventura with his wife Karly (Castro), a Ventura College women's basketball aluma. They have two daughters, Kaley, and Jacey.