Walker able as captain, counselor> Husson forward brings on-court talent to job at Bangor women’s home

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On the basketball court, Husson College senior forward and co-captain Emily Walker is used to fighting her way through screens, double-teams and congested keys.

In addition to her exploits on the court and in the classroom, where she carries the double major of business administration and nursing, Walker devotes 12 to 24 hours a week helping women who are fighting to create better lives for themselves.

The 21-year-old Walker is a counselor at the Wellspring Inc. halfway house in Bangor, which helps women who are recovering from alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Walker has worked at Wellspring Inc. since March and hopes to work there for at least a couple more years. She learned about the job from former teammate Beth Miller, who had previously worked there.

She finds the work rewarding and challenging.

“It’s a privilege to work there,” said Walker. “It’s a place I can help people. I really like talking to them and listening to anything they have to say. After I leave, I feel I’ve at least done something [positive]. I’ve given some good advice to help people go forward in their lives. People who, if they were out on their own, might be going backwards.”

The disease of alcoholism hits close to home for Walker.

“It isn’t in my immediate family but there is alcoholism on both sides of my family,” she said. “It’s kind of scary to me. I’m glad I’ve learned about it and have been able to talk to my parents [Dale and Liana] about it. I’m very fortunate to have a great set of parents who have taught me the best thing to do when it comes to being exposed to alcohol.”

Ann Perkins, who is also a counselor at the halfway house, said Walker has a good understanding of alcoholism, and that understanding, coupled with her keen interest in the disease, has given her a healthy compassion for the women in the house.

“She is very caring,” said Perkins. “She’s a very good counselor.”

Walker said she has a great deal of respect for the women in the house and they, in turn, give her inspiration.

“When someone has alcoholism, they’ve hit rock bottom,” explained Walker. “When they come to our program, they’ve made a decision not to give up. That’s a really strong decision. People die from this disease. They make bad choices. But these women have decided to get help and to turn their lives around.”

Walker said she often thinks of their determination while she is on the basketball court.

“I know I can’t give up, no matter how much time is left in a game. You do the best you can to try to make the best of the situation,” said Walker.

Walker said the job has taught her a lot and has changed her.

“I’m more open to what people say,” she said. “Something that goes along with alcoholism is anger. I tend to listen more when someone is angry instead of lashing out at them now.

“I also realize how lucky I am in how I was brought up. It has helped me through some hard times because if these women can get through the troubles they have in their lives, I can get through mine,” Walker added.

The Pittsfield native and former Maine Central Institute star said this job is “totally different” from any other job she has had but she does have experience dealing with people in one-on-one situations.

“In high school, I was always that type of person who girls would come to if they had just broken up with their boyfriends,” said Walker. “I was always the mediator. I’ve always tried to give good advice to my friends. That has really helped me in relating to these women. So I feel real comfortable on the job.”

She said her job as a residential advisor at Husson last year was beneficial to her current position because “I had to take care of the floor and set the rules down.”

Coral Rudolph, Walker’s supervisor at the halfway house, said in addition to Walker’s caring nature, “she is a very good role model and has a good sense of responsibility. She is willing to fill in when we need her and she follows directions well.”

Walker often works an 8 p.m.-8 a.m. shift once or twice a week and she said one of the many benefits of the job is that she is able to do her schoolwork if she isn’t dealing with a client.

“There aren’t many jobs in which you can do your homework,” said Walker.

How does she juggle basketball, school and her job?

“You have to have good time management. My life is very busy,” concedes Walker. “I have classes during the day and basketball practice from [3 p.m. to 5 p.m.]. I try to work on weekends. It can be hectic at times but it’s worth it.”

Walker said the women at the halfway house are also kept busy.

“They concentrate on recovery. They live a very sober life. They have chores and daily activities like going to the [Bangor YWCA] or to [Alcoholics Anonymous] meetings,” said Walker. “They have education classes and parenting classes.”

Walker said there is a great deal of satisfaction when one of the women complete their six-month program and go back out into the world.

“When you see the progress that they’ve made, you have a sense of pride like a parent would have. It’s really nice to see that,” said Walker.

The sense of fulfillment is agreeing with Walker’s game, according to Husson coach Kissy Walker (no relation), who feels the forward is having her best season yet.

“She’s been much more consistent this season,” said Kissy Walker. “She has been very dominating against most of the teams we’ve faced. She has been unstoppable.”

Walker’s 19.7 points per game leaves her second in the Maine Athletic Conference in scoring. The 5-foot-11 Walker is also averaging 6 rebounds, 1.27 blocked shots and a team-high 1.45 steals per game. She leads the Braves in every category except rebounds.

Walker, a two-time MAC Player of the Week already this season, downplayed her contributions.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten a lot better at my game,” she said. “We’ve been working the ball around better. Our guards have really helped out our inside game. “We’ve really got a great team this year. Our number one goal is to win the MAC and I think we have the team that can win a game or two at the nationals if we make it. We’ve got a good inside game and a good outside game. Our bench is stronger than it has been in the past and we have a good coach. As she has done in the past, Kissy can help us peak at the right time.”

Since she has changed majors, the transfer from New Hampshire College has three more years of school left after this year and she will assist Kissy Walker next season.

“I’m excited about coaching but I’m going to miss not playing,” said Walker, who was a first team All-MAC selection last year.

Kissy Walker said she normally doesn’t like to have assistants who are so closely removed from the team because they may still have relationships with the players.

“But Emily is so mature, it won’t have an affect on her,” said Kissy Walker.

And Emily Walker has had plenty of practice dealing with people one-on-one.