DEKALB | Walter Owens, who is known as “Coach O” by many of his friends and students, suffered a stroke Feb. 16.

The assistant professor of NIU’s kinesiology and physical education department, started at NIU more than 30 years ago as an assistant basketball coach, and later became NIU’s baseball coach. Students today are familiar with him as their instructor for KNPE 117 and KNPE 118, Bowling I and II.

Owens is currently recovering in the Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockford. His condition is getting better, and he’s expected to return to NIU upon recovering.

Owens will retire in May and will be teaching a few classes part-time in the fall.

Before teaching at NIU, Owens taught high school students after playing pro baseball in the Negro Leagues. But sports aren’t the only thing that he is known for – for many of his students, past and present, Owens is a mentor, a father figure and a friend.

“I’ve known Walt since ‘73,” said Mike Korcek, sports information director, emeritus. “He’s been a great friend and a great asset to NIU.”

Owens’ dedication to students in unique situations has set him apart from others.

“If Coach Owens wasn’t a part of NIU, many students wouldn’t have graduated,” said Larry Bolles, director of Judicial Affairs.

Over the years, he’s helped many students who were down on their luck by getting them jobs, loaning them money and helping them find a place to live.

“A student that needed money to buy diapers and food went to him for help, and Owens gladly took money out of his own pocket to help the student out,” said Bolles, a longtime friend of Owens. “A few years later, he got a call from that student and found out that he had a successful job as a school teacher.”

What makes Owens a special figure to some students is his care for them, even outside of the classroom, Bolles said.

“In a way, Coach Owens is a part of their extended family,” Bolles said.