Walker Announced as Concord Grand Groundhog Watcher

ATHENS, W.Va. – Concord University head football coach Dave Walker has been named as Concord University's Grand Groundhog Watcher for the School's annual Groundhog Day Breakfast February 3.

Walker will join famed weather prognosticator Concord Charlie in the spotlight for this year's Groundhog Day Breakfast. Festivities get underway at 8 a.m. in University Point's Pais Fellowship Hall.

According to Groundhog Day tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow the morning of Feb. 2, six more weeks of winter can be expected. An early spring will be on the way if he doesn't see his shadow. With Feb. 2 being on the weekend this year, Concord Charlie decided to move his announcement to Feb. 3 for 2020.  Charlie has a standing appointment with the University's President each year to offer his predictions and insights on the duration of winter. The President then relays the forecast to the breakfast guests.

Walker was named as Concord's 20^th head football coach on December 23, 2019, coming from Martinsburg High School where he won eight Class AAA State Championships including four in a row prior to arriving in Athens. The Pineville, West Virginia native was the athletic director at MHS in addition to his time on the gridiron as the head coach.

Walker will be the second CU head coach in the last six years to speak at the annual Groundhog Day Breakfast after former Concord coach Garin Justice earned the honor in 2015.

The Concord Charlie tradition was originated in 1978 by the late Professor R.T. "Tom" Hill. As chairman
of both the geography department and the Appalachian Studies program at Concord, Hill started the Groundhog Day Breakfast as a means to celebrate a bit of Appalachian heritage and highlight the program.

Cost per person for this year's breakfast is $20. Reservations are required and may be made online at www.concord.edu/groundhog. Reservations may also be made by emailing advancement@concord.edu or calling 304-384-6311.