A member of the Ellenville High School's Class of 1983, Moseley was an All-American football player in high school, playing offense as tailback and defense as a linebacker, compiling several records along the way. Moseley was New York State's all-time leader in career rushing (5,594 yards), points (492), touchdowns (79) and career 100-yard rushing games (34). Moseley also set the state single-season records for touchdowns (34) and rushing yardage (2,066).

Heavily recruited by universities around the country, Moseley chose to stay in New York and play football for the Syracuse Orangeman, where he suffered injuries that would later prevent him from continuing his athletic career. Not one to be deterred by misfortune, Moseley continued to work as he earned his degree in sociology, eventually gaining employment as a counselor for troubled youths at a detention center in Syracuse. Later, he moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to St. Augustine, Florida, where he continued his work at the Polk Regional Juvenile Center.

To those that knew him, his achievements on the football field were just one aspect of his life. Moseley's impact on his community and the people who knew him can be felt easily through their words of remembrance.

"He was not just a tremendous athlete, but a nice person," remembers Ken Beck, former guidance counselor and football coach at Ellenville High School.

"He was a wonderful guy. [He was] very good with young children. He was a team man, a team player, all the way. He got all the accolades, but he passed them on to his teammates, and he credited them with his success."

Fran Sovak, wife of the late Jack Sovak who served as Moseley's coach at EHS, echoed Beck's comments.

Local Remembrances Below are a series of comments from local residents who wished to offer their memories of Walter Moseley. One regret I have is that I lost touch with Walter in recent years and I didn't know Walter the adult but, I certainly remember Walter the kid. I am no doctor and I don't play one on TV but I can attest to his heart. I won't go into his football accomplishments. There are many of those. I want to talk about basketball. When I was running a basketball program in the old girls' gym, we would play a lot of 3-on-3. The older kids would always pick each other never thinking to choose a kid still in junior high. When it was my turn to pick a teammate, my choice was Walter. I don't remember who the third member was but we beat their butts. We ran off 3 or 4 straight wins with Walt more than holding his own against much older kids. He was never afraid of the competition. In 1981 we went to play in the James I. O'Neill Christmas tournament championship against the home team. Well, we lost a close game to a team that had a senior, Kevin Lewis, who had earned a full ride basketball scholarship to Division I SMU. The 6'6" Lewis, one of the very best players in the area, ended the game with an impressive 36 points. The 5'11" junior Moseley's numbers? Also 36 points including 14 of 14 from the line. He had gone toe to toe with Lewis, who was a Times Herald Record's first team all star, and matched him. I remember that Walter Moseley was one of those kids who would never quit. � Lee Augustine I was a member of the Ellenville High School 1980 and 1981 "championship teams" as a starting linemen (guard) and as a result, I had a great deal of contact with Walter. He was always friendly to everyone on and off the field but the thing I remember most about Walter is not the thousands of yards he rushed or the number of touchdowns he scored. It is the fact that he always gave credit to his teammates for his continued success on the field. He was quick to remind reporters and fans that, if it were not for the rest of his team, he would never have gotten the ball or had the holes to run through. I have not seen Walter in many years but like all members of the TEAM I will never forget him. � Scott Conklin, #74 When I would go to practice each day during my Ellenville football career, I would look at the picture of Walter, his jersey and his trophies, which gave me the motivation to want to be someone and make something of myself on and off the football field. When you talk about Ellenville football, you will always hear the name Walter Moseley somewhere within the conversation, and how great he was and also about the team he was a part of and so much more. The passing of Walter has touched so many hearts and has brought everyone back to a time when Walter was the best in the game and in our hearts he will remain the best for the rest of our lives. To Walter I will say thank you for all the memories and for putting Ellenville on the map and may you rest in peace. You will never, I mean never, be forgotten and to me you will always be my star. Thank you so much for all the memories. God will now take care of you, as you took care of so many others throughout your lifetime. Love always. � Lamark W. Logan (Ellenville Class of 1994) Running Back

"He was thoughtful, generous, and gentle for as big as he was. He was almost like a part of our family. He was a caring young man, he truly was, and he had a great respect for his fellow teammates whether it be in football or basketball, because he did excel in basketball also� I think he also felt he was very fortunate to be part of such a supportive community, and I think he loved growing up here."

Sovak also remarked that the football team's success, led by Moseley, "brought this town together."

Village Trustee Patty Steinhoff says that her family, the Crafts, was always very close with the Moseleys.

"He had a great heart, and kids really liked him," she remembers. "He never gave up, even when he got to Syracuse and did not have the opportunity to play football very much, he stayed on the team for the years that he was there. He graduated with a degree, and he was able to gain employment because of that. Really, that's perseverance."

His cousin, Phyllis Moseley-Brown, recalls spending time with Walter as a child, and how when he was very young, she had to drag him outside to get him away from his beloved cartoons.

"Once I got him outside and he started to play sports, he really started to shine," she says. Brown also remembers the role that family and religion played in Moseley's life.

"He loved working with people, and he took God in fully," she recalls. "And he always thought of his family. He was really outgoing and supportive, and he was always there when you needed him. He was one of my favorite cousins."

"He was a great human being," says Ed Healy, who served as an EHS assistant coach during Moseley's career. "He will be dearly missed."

Healy remembers seeing him in action before he'd joined the team, and taking him aside when he was a freshman and asking if he'd like to play varsity football. "He said 'absolutely. I was born to play football.'"

A quarterback and co-captain with Moseley during his time on the Ellenville High School team, Mark Giammichele, reveals that he was undefeated as a football player for the four years he was on the team, a record which has yet to be met by any Ellenville player.

"Walter put Ellenville on the map during his career here," says Giammichele. "It was great playing with him. He was a superstar in all aspects. He was a great guy as far as a friend goes, humble, but yet powerful. Nice gentleman too."

And despite all of the accolades people send his way, Moseley "didn't let anything go to his head, and he wasn't conceited in any way."

"He's definitely going to be missed by a bunch of guys who really love him."

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