Our Story

Samuel Walker III, known to many families as “Coach Sam,” is the Executive Director of College Game Plan Network (CGPN) and a strategic, equity-driven advisor with 20+ years of experience guiding students and families through the full college planning lifecycle—from academic readiness and admissions strategy to financial aid optimization and the transition to college.

Coach Sam approaches the admissions process with a unique personal perspective. As a highly recruited high school student-athlete raised by his grandmother, Willie Mae Walker, in South Carolina, he learned early that the right college decision requires more than interest from schools—it requires research, academic alignment, and a clear plan tied to long-term career outcomes. That mindset now shapes how he supports students: with calm, direct guidance that replaces confusion with clarity.

In addition to his college advising work, Coach Sam spent decades as an athletic coach and mentor, developing student-athletes across baseball, boys and girls basketball, football, and softball. That experience gives him an innate understanding of the athlete development continuum—what strong preparation looks like at each stage, how to build the habits that translate, and the skill-set student-athletes need to compete at the collegiate level. Families value that he can connect the dots between performance, training priorities, recruiting realities, academic alignment, and long-term fit.

Professionally, Coach Sam has helped families navigate NCAA eligibility, build recruiting portfolios, communicate effectively with coaches, and make smart school choices that work academically and financially. He brings a structured, realistic approach to building college lists, strengthening positioning, and guiding families through scholarship and financial aid decisions—so students can pursue opportunity without unnecessary stress or expensive missteps.

He also brings a deeply personal lens as a father of five college graduates—Michael (Morgan State University), Portia (UMBC), Courtney (Coppin State University), Kendall (Morehouse College), and Kamryn (Xavier University of Louisiana). Those experiences keep his work practical, family-centered, and focused on outcomes that truly fit each student.

Today, Coach Sam helps CGPN families move forward with confidence—building realistic college lists, strong applications, and clear affordability strategies—so students can choose colleges where they can thrive academically, athletically, and professionally.