Walt O'Lear has spent a lot of time on the sidelines. In fact, close to 50 years watching the Bulldogs "from the best seat in the house."
O'Lear was part of the oldest chain gang in the state and was recognized for his service by the Iowa Football Coaches Association in 2008. On Friday, he was recognized prior to Ottumwa's Homecoming football game for his dedication to the Bulldog football program.
While the past three years found O'Lear as a down marker, the other 46 years were spent on the chain gang (holding one end of the chain that marked 10 yards from the football towards the goal). Most of those years he worked with the same partner, Marc Lawson. He began volunteering at Schafer in 1967. "Ed Critchlow talked me into it," he said.
Over the years, O'Lear's love of the game found him not only at Schafer Stadium but also coaching little league. As a hard core sports enthusiasts, if he wasn't part of the game, he was watching it. Today he is still passionate about the Cubs; the Hawkeyes, both football and basketball; and the Indian Hills Warriors.
During high school, he played football a few years but got tired of it. That was not the case of his years working the sidelines of high school football games. "I enjoyed it," he said. His favorite memories were just being on the field.
He worked for several coaches over the years but his favorites include Dave Clement and Tom Kopatich.
He retired from Northwestern Bell in 1982 and then worked as a custodian for Ottumwa Schools for several years. Since retiring, he also volunteers at Ottumwa Regional Health Center helping with life line. "I don't let the grass grow under my feet."
