UF's Walton announced to 2024 NFCA Hall of Fame Class

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Head Coach Tim Walton of the Florida softball program was announced a member of the 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame class tonight at the NFCA convention which is currently being held in Louisville, Ky.

Walton, who is entering his 19th season at the helm of the Gators and 22nd season as a head coach, is one of the most decorated coaches in NCAA Division I history and has risen to the top of his profession at a blazing pace. Over 21 seasons as a head coach, Walton has amassed a record of 1,049-287 which is good for a .785 winning percentage that ranks third among active NCAA head coaches with a minimum of 10 years of experience as head coach.

In 2022, Walton eclipsed the 1,000-career win mark, which put him in elite company as he became the second fastest NCAA Division I head coach to reach the milestone behind the legendary Arizona coach Mike Candrea. Overall, there are 11 active Division I head coaches with 1,000 career wins and only 30 Division I coaches all-time have achieved the feat.

The wins secured by Walton over the years has also translated in to numerous championships as he led the Gators to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2014 and 2015, eight Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships, five SEC Tournament titles, 11 trips to the Women's College World Series and five WCWS Championship series appearances.

The wins and championships were also the result of Walton's ability to develop championship student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. Over the years Walton has trained 24 players who were able to earn 48 NFCA All-American accolades.

In addition, there are also three Collegiate Women Sports Award winners, two USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year recipients, an NFCA Division I Player of the Year winner, one NFCA Freshman of the Year recipient, five SEC Pitchers of the Year and five SEC Players of the Year.

Academically, 12 student-athletes under Walton's leadership were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-America 22 times, 90 players securing a spot 185 times on the SEC Academic Honor Roll and 70 making the SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll.