About Inductee

Hardy Walker was born in Albany, Georgia, and moved to Madison County in 1972. He was a two-sport standout at Grissom High School from 1978-1980. In 1980 and 1981, Hardy won the Alabama High School Heavy Weight Wrestling State Championship. After his senior year at Grissom, the Birmingham Post Herald named Hardy as the number one state college football prospect. Head Football coach Larrie Robinson of Grissom High School had this to say, "I've never had a player who could dominate both sides of the line of scrimmage like Hardy." In his senior year, he was selected as the MVP in the City of Huntsville; first team All-State, All-Southeastern Player of the Year, National Prep All-American, and Adidas All-American. His top high school award was being named to the 1980 Parade All-American Team. After graduating from Grissom, Hardy signed a scholarship with the University of Alabama to play football for Coach Paul Bryant. While at Alabama, Hardy started on the Crimson Tide offensive line. In 1983, he was named to the Sporting News College Sophomore All-American team. Noted recruiting expert Forrest Davis said of Hardy, "His domination of the line of scrimmage from the defensive tackle position is truly remarkable." While at the University of Alabama, Hardy had the honor to participate in four bowl games, the Cotton, Liberty, Sun and Aloha. In 1985, he was awarded the Charlie Compton Outstanding Christian Athlete for the Crimson Tide football team. Hardy had this to say about the people that had impacted his athletic accomplishments: "There are many people who have impacted my athletic accomplishments. My Dad, who passed away in 1972, taught me at a young age to love all sports, especially football. My Mom made sure that I had a way to and from practice for all the sports I participated in during the years from 1972 until I graduated from Grissom in 1981. She was at all of my games and matches. Coach Ed Baker, who coached me in Little League, taught me what teamwork meant and how to work hard to achieve my goals. My middle school and high school coaches helped me through the years to develop good work ethics and a desire to win." Hardy, his wife Amy and their two daughters now live in Pelham, Alabama.