Walker, Former Hart Coach, Awarded Promotion by UCLA

Pam Walker, former Hart High girls’ basketball coach, accepted a full-time assistant-coaching position with the UCLA women’s team Wednesday.

Walker became a part-time assistant with the Bruins in 1989 after leading Hart to the Southern Section’s major division championship. She arrived at Hart in 1985 after coaching stints at St. Bernard and Van Nuys highs.

Walker, 30, a graduate of UCLA, is married and lives in Valencia.

“The main difference in my duties is that I can go out to the high schools and recruit as a full-time assistant,” Walker said. “I’ve missed being able to walk into high school gyms and have fun watching the games and talking with the kids.”

Walker will assist Kathy Olivier, who was named head coach on May 3, replacing Billie Moore, who resigned after 16 seasons at UCLA.

Under Walker’s guidance, Hart improved from a woebegone, directionless group into one of the area’s dominant programs in only four seasons. Hart won three games her first season, then improved each year during her tenure.

Hart was 26-3 while winning the section title during Walker’s final season at the school, and was undefeated in league play (10-0).

With several key players returning, including Sara Wilson, two-time Times Player of the Year, the Indians won a second consecutive section title in 1990.

UCLA was a disappointing 13-14 last season. Walker expects the Bruins to again be among the elite of women’s basketball.

“We have a group of good young coaches here,” she said. “We’re all bringing a lot of enthusiasm into the program.”