Walter Brian used his size and versatility to be a key member of the men's basketball team from 1949 through 1952.
As a junior and a senior, he helped lead the program to 16 wins, which at the time established school records. His first two years with the program, the Guins won a total of 12 games
As a senior, he was part of the squad that defeated nationally-ranked LaSalle, the only win over a Division I ranked team in school history.
For his career, he played in 77 games, scoring 510 points. He made 131 free throws while converting 179 field goals.
During his senior year, he scored 173 points, averaging 7.9 per contest. For the season he made 65 field goals and 43 free throws. The Penguins finished 16-7, equaling the school record for wins, which the program had previously set his junior year.
He scored a season-high 20 points against Akron and scored 19 against Kent State and Baldwin-Wallace.
As a junior, the Guins won 16 games for the first time in school history, completing the year with a 16-7 record. In 23 games, Brian scored 241 points, averaging 10.5 per contest. He made 79 field goals and 62 free throws for the season.
His high-scoring game was a 21-point effort against Marietta. He also had 20 against Muskingum and 19 versus Ohio. He was ranked in the top five in the nation in assists.
During his sophomore year he saw limited action scoring 29 points in 10 games. He made 10 field goals for the year and converted nine free-throw attempts.
As a freshman, he played in 22 of the Guins' 23 contests. He scored 67 points, making 25 field goals and 17 free throws. His high performance was a 15-point outing against Gannon.
He graduated with a degree in Physical Education from YSU. He worked as a dispatcher and manager for Lyons Transportation.
A graduate of Salem High School, he was a third-team All-Ohio selection as a senior. He was a standout athlete at Salem earning a total of 10 varsity letters. He earned four letters in track and field, three in football and three in basketball. He was a three-time all-county selection as a member of the football team.
He and his wife Anna reside in Youngstown. They have a 50-year-old son, Mike.
