Former Mount Sinai coach Tom Walker passed away this week following a battle with cancer. Walker, 70, dedicated nearly four decades to education and coaching and left a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes within the Mount Sinai School District.
Walker served for many years as the Mount Sinai girls varsity basketball head coach before transitioning into an assistant coaching role, where he continued to mentor players for nine additional seasons. His influence extended well beyond the basketball court. Over the course of his career, Walker also coached girls softball and girls soccer, while contributing to boys basketball and baseball programs, building a résumé that reflected his passion for athletics and student development.
A lifelong Long Islander, Walker lived in Miller Place and was deeply rooted in the local community. He graduated from Port Jefferson High School, attended Suffolk County Community College and Stony Brook University, and later earned his master’s degree from Dowling College. His educational journey mirrored the pride he took in guiding students toward academic and personal success.
In a statement, the Mount Sinai Booster Club reflected on Walker’s legacy, noting that he was far more than a teacher or coach. He was a mentor, role model, and constant source of encouragement who believed deeply in his students and coached his basketball players as if they were his own daughters, instilling confidence, discipline, and leadership that extended far beyond sports.
To honor his memory, the community has established the Tom Walker Memorial Scholarship Fund. Proceeds will directly support an annual scholarship awarded to a graduating student, with additional funds helping sustain the scholarship for future years, ensuring Walker’s legacy continues to inspire future educators, athletes, and leaders. His commitment to service, compassion, and excellence will be remembered across Mount Sinai for generations to come ahead.