Helen Walker’s ties to Hartselle go back to her school days, but those ties weren’t strong enough to make her pull for the Tigers during the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 5A championship series last weekend.
Walker, the wife of Spanish Fort head coach Tommy Walker, was solidly behind the Toros when the team played Hartselle for the state title.
Who could blame her?
“I always sit on the Hartselle side every time they play Spanish Fort,” Walker said before the two teams met in the finals. “I like to catch up with old friends. This time, I will be on the Spanish Fort side, though.”
Walker is the daughter of the late Robert Gilchrist, a renowned attorney who died when Helen was just 15 years old.
Tommy Walker is in his fifth season at Spanish Fort after stints at Samford University and Homewood.
But he almost moved with his wife to Hartselle several years ago when they planned to build a house in town.
It’s kind of been a weird deal playing Hartselle in this series. I love Hartselle,” Coach Walker said. “The Lord just didn’t see fit to have that happen.”
The Walkers spent much of the weekend when away from the baseball field visiting friends from Morgan County.
“I know so many people in those stands and my wife knows so many of them,” Tommy Walker said. “It’s funny because you are playing with kids of people that your wife went to high school with.”
Even the Walkers’ children have strong ties with the area. The Walkers’ son came to the game with Hartselle third baseman Logan Cain’s sister.
Spanish Fort swept Hartselle in the championship series, beating the Tigers 10-0 and 4-1, preventing legendary Hartselle head coach William Booth from his eighth state championship.
“William and I have been good friends since I was at Samford. been good friends for a long time.”
Respect aside, however, the Walkers were more than happy to take that championship trophy home – to Spanish Fort – Saturday night.

Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com