University of New Haven Athletics

PHOTO GALLERY

A four-year starter in the secondary for New Haven football, Walt Oko accumulated 209 tackles and nine interceptions from 1985-88. He also found the end zone via interception return, fumble recovery and a pair of punt return touchdowns in his career en route to All-New England honors as both a junior and senior. The Chargers posted a four-year record of 31-12-1 with Oko helming the defensive backfield and under the guidance of New Haven Hall of Fame coaches Chris Palmer and Mark Whipple.
 
In his freshman season, Oko played a key role in the Chargers’ first winning season since joining the Division II ranks. The rookie safety made 47 tackles with an interception and a punt return touchdown in a 6-4 season that included a 27-7 win over a nationally-prominent Towson State team that had not lost a to a Division II opponent since 1982.
 
An 11-tackle performance in the season-opening win over East Stroudsburg set the tone for a strong 1986 season for Oko and the Chargers. In total, he racked up 64 tackles with three interceptions – including one returned for a 42-yard touchdown. The Blue and Gold completed the year with an 8-2 record and a No. 18 national ranking.
 
Oko was an All-New England honoree in his junior season of 1987, patrolling the secondary for a New Haven team that once again finished with a record of 8-2. He intercepted four passes that fall while collecting 37 tackles. Oko also returned a punt for 60 yards in a win at Slippery Rock as part of an eight-game winning streak as the Chargers achieved a national ranking for much of the 1987 season.
 
Oko capped his career with a second consecutive First Team All-New England nod in 1988 as the Chargers finished with a record of 7-3. He made 61 tackles in his senior season and hauled in an interception – the ninth of his career. Oko also found the endzone for the fourth time as a member of the Blue and Gold, returning a punt 56 yards to paydirt against in-state foe Central Connecticut State.