Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

Dr. Lloyd T. Walton, Sp ’82
Chicago, Ill.

Lloyd knows firsthand that the transition to life after NBA glory can be difficult for young men. As a career counselor for the National Basketball Players Association, the former point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks and Kansas City Kings now helps players prepare for continued success once they retire from the league.

“What I like most about my work is seeing young men grow and develop into self-sufficient, productive members of society,” says Lloyd, who is also a motivational speaker and the creator of LifelongWinners, a personal development model for athletes.

The Chicago Heights, Ill., native chose Marquette from among more than 200 schools offering athletics scholarships. Coached by the legendary Al McGuire, Lloyd helped the Warriors reach the NCAA Championship in 1974, and was named an AP All-American as a senior in 1975, when he was also team captain.

Prior to his role as a career counselor, Lloyd’s post-hoops career included roles in prep, collegiate and professional basketball, as well as the public sector. He was a Marquette assistant coach under Rick Majerus, Arts ’70, Grad ’79, a regional collegiate scout for the New York Knicks, and an assistant coach for the LaCrosse Bobcats (Continental League) and at the NBA pre-draft. He was also bureau chief for the Illinois Department of Human Services, and executive director of the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Bulls Family Life Center.

A self-described former “kid that hated school,” Lloyd grew to be a lifelong learner, earning a master’s degree in human services and a doctorate in education. Lloyd says the Marquette award means that he has done his best to exemplify the Marquette mission of excellence, faith, leadership and service. He adds that his leadership style “is rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King’s quote, ‘Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’”

Fun fact: Lloyd is only the third NBA player in history to earn a doctorate.