Kelly Walker Biography Legacies Project

Kelly grew up in Lakewood, Colorado. She had an active childhood and developed a love for movement, including running and biking. In school, she enjoyed team sports such as volleyball, basketball, and track. The relationships and camaraderie added to her joy of physical activity.

When she looked ahead to college, Kelly had several connections that led her to Colorado State University. Her older brother, Tim Walker, Jr. (B.A., history, ’82) was a CSU Ram, as was her boyfriend at the time. Like Kelly, several of her friends were also drawn to CSU’s beautiful campus.

She began her student experience at CSU in 1984, and chose to pursue exercise and sport science, building on her interest in sports, wellness, and particularly how the body works and functions during exercise and when at rest. She participated on the CSU track team, and minored in human development and family studies, graduating in 1988.

Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in December 1988. While completing her practicum in Austin, Texas, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She engaged with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and remained an advocate, fundraiser, and motivational speaker with the organization throughout her life.

Immediately following her undergraduate degree, Kelly embarked on graduate studies in the same field and completed her master’s degree in 1991. Her thesis was titled “The Efficacy of Exercise on Social Activity and Health Perception in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis” and her work was supported by a $14,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. She also completed an interdisciplinary studies program certificate in gerontology.

Kelly had fond memories of the CSU campus from her days as a student, faculty member, and community member, and enjoyed watching the campus evolve while maintaining its character. She climbed the stairs at Moby, ran around campus, and was married on the patio of the Lory Student Center overlooking the Lagoon, with the reception in the LSC Ballrooms, catered by CSU food services.

Kelly’s biggest challenge while working at CSU turned out to be accessibility. She shared office space with faculty like Lois Nieder (and used a shower curtain for more privacy!). Colleagues helped ensure her workspaces were accessible, particularly after she came to rely on a manual wheelchair. Once the Americans with Disabilities Act was put in place in 1990, things were better. An elevator was installed, very quickly, so she could access the necessary spaces. Kelly noted that all of the buildings and spaces around campus have been improved to make them open and accessible. Kelly was also challenged in dealing with multiple sclerosis and how it was affecting her body, mind, and spirit without letting MS impede her goals. She was determined to succeed and persevere! Kelly noted that the greatest reward was working with the incredible educators and students and making friendships that remained strong throughout her life.

After retiring in 1998, in 2002, Kelly earned a second master’s degree from CSU in human development and family studies, with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. As a part of the program, she worked with individuals and couples in therapeutic clinical settings and explored special interests such as human-animal bond, chronic physical challenges, gerontology, and motivational speaking.

1997 – 2002 Graduate Student, Human Development & Family Studies, Colorado State University

• Completed Marriage and Family Therapy hours in clinic
• Worked with individuals and couples
• Special interests include: human-animal bond, chronic physical challenges, Gerontology, and motivational speaking

1998 – 1999 Internship, Family Medicine Center Counseling

• Counseled patients and families in need of assistance
• Discussed therapy theories with medical interns
• Completed co-therapy with Intern supervisor and staff

1998 – 1999 Clinical Experience Coordinator/Instructor

• Instructed, advised, and supervised students in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science in career development and career opportunities in wellness program management

1996 –1997 Exercise Instructor, Fort Collins Senior Center

• Implemented and instructed a chair exercise class for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

1993 – 1996 Sports Medicine Director, Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Colorado State University

Kelly began her professional career in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at CSU in 1991 – after completing her master’s degree in the department – as an instructor in the health, wellness, and sports medicine concentration. For the next seven years, she was a teaching instructor and the fieldwork coordinator for health promotion and sports medicine working with students, the university, and the companies where students were placed in their practicums. She taught practicum classes, weight training and aerobics exercise, and physical education activities as part of the wellness program. Lois Nieder was in charge of graduate students, and Kelly had a partial graduate assistantship to teach weight training and aerobics activities. She coordinated the wellness management for practicum placement and internships. She led lectures each week to help train students for transitions into the workplace with emphasis on professionalism. This included topics such as how to transfer knowledge learned in exercise and sports science into the workplace, how to dress professionally, and more.

Kelly was especially proud to have organized and led Ram Aerobics, and to have worked with People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) with seniors. She enjoyed teaching rehab exercise classes to people of all ages.

Her favorite part of working with students was listening to their dreams and aspirations about the future and watching them grow in their skills, mature in their accomplishments, achieve their goals, and do things beyond their expectations. Some ideas and quotes Kelly shared often with students remained important to her throughout her life:

• Achieving a goal is 10% situation and 90% attitude.
• Live, love, laugh, and learn.
• Keep life in perspective. Work hard, but play hard as well.
• Be open to change because change is inevitable.
• A sense of humor always helps, as does a smile on your face.

Some of Kelly’s favorite experiences while at CSU were being part of a great department, interacting with faculty and students, working in the community, and teaching sitting aerobics classes to people with multiple sclerosis. She also taught aerobics classes at The Pulse in Fort Collins.

Kelly fondly remembered many special experiences and relationships at CSU. Cathy Kennedy was one of her faculty mentors during undergraduate school through grad school, during her teaching years, and beyond. Her dedication to education and support with internships was phenomenal. She held Kelly accountable and taught her many skills and professionalism. Kelly’s friendship with Cathy endured throughout her life.

Other mentors who encouraged, supported, and made a difference in Kelly’s life include Cecilia Martin, Sheri Linnell, Kevin Oltjenbruns, Gay Israel, Tamina Toray, Toni Zimmerman, Shelley Haddock, Sonny Lubick, Barb Wetzel, Nancy Hartley, Barry Braun, Karyn Hamilton, Jeff McCubbin, and Dale DeVoe. Kelly was humbled by their friendship and caring through the years.

Kelly’s goal in earning her degree and career path was to help people achieve their physical goals, no matter what their circumstances. Adaptability to circumstances and Kelly’s positive attitude came into play in her own life when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1988. Further, her ability to motivate and advocate continues to inspire many to take action in a variety of ways.

Kelly was very active with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kelly and her family founded Team Sugar Bee in 1993, a team of bicyclists who participate in NMSS fundraising events. Named for her brother Eric’s childhood nickname for Kelly, the team grew from 4 to 6 to 25 on up to 144 riders, and 50 some volunteers with the motto “to help take the sting out of MS.” For 10 years in a row, Team Sugar Bee raised the most funds and had the top number of bicycle riders. Team Sugar Bee is always in the top three fundraisers! By 2010, Team Sugar Bee had raised more than $1 million to help with research to end MS – the first bicycle team in Colorado and Wyoming to achieve this honor. In 2021, Team Sugar Bee surpassed the $2 million mark! Several riders are colleagues and friends from the CSU Department of Health and Exercise Science and the College of Health and Human Sciences: Karyn Hamilton, Chris Bell, Gretchen Gerding, Jeff McCubbin and Family, Barry Braun, and Sheri Linnell. Others have volunteered at Team Sugar Bee Lunch Stop over the years including HDFS faculty, former students, scholarship recipients, high school and college classmates, and friends from the community.

In 1995, Kelly was the Champion of Courage for the NMSS in Northern Colorado. Al Yates, then president of CSU, hosted that MS event where she met Sonny and Carol Jo Lubick, Joe and Becky Vasos, and friends of the MS Champions of Hope – Gene and Patty Markley, who were all her table mates. These CSU and Fort Collins community members remained her steadfast friends since then.

Kelly gave numerous presentations, including:

Women Against Multiple Sclerosis Luncheon, September 29, 1999
Informed participants about daily challenges of living with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Bike Tour, September 29, 1999
Participated in and promoted to help raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis

International Presenter,  September 1996
North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity. Case Studies on
Active individuals with Disabilities. Banff, Alberta, CANADA.

American Lung Association September 1996
“Coping Mechanisms for Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease”

National Multiple Sclerosis Society/ United Way 1990 – present
Present formally and informally on topics pertaining to coping mechanisms and
chronic diseases around the state of Colorado

2002 Winter Olympic Torch Relay
Started the 2002 Winter Olympic torch relay in the State of Colorado in route to Salt Lake City, Utah. Fort Collins, CO, January 30, 2002.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Co-facilitated a group of newly diagnosed clients through the initial stages and reactions of Multiple Sclerosis. Introduced resources available in the community and provided insight and education about dealing with Multiple Sclerosis. Loveland, Colorado, November 2000-May 2001.

Kelly Walker-Haley Health Promotion Scholarship
Scholarship established at time of retirement from Department of Health and Exercise Science.
Fort Collins, CO, Spring 1998

Betaseron Champions of Courage Grant
Received grant to help purchase tandem bike to ride in MS 150 with husband and team. Awarded grant to help inspire others with Multiple Sclerosis to live life despite challenges and obstacles. December 2000.

Team Sugar Bee
Numerous team awards to “Team Sugar Bee” for team riders, volunteers, spirit, rest stop coordination, uniforms. 1996 – 2022.

Multiple Sclerosis Service Award
Presented to Colorado State University Department of Exercise and Sport Science. 1996.

Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Award
State of Colorado. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) April 1996.

Cosmopolitan Magazine
Featured article entitled, “Fighting Multiple Sclerosis.” April 1996 Edition.

MS Champion Award
Fort Collins, CO (National MS Society) March 1995.