I can tell you that when I was there in the 80's, for walk-ons it was much more like they described last year (coaches walking by without saying a word to you) -- from the top of the head coach, to the bottom of the equipment and training staff (but generally, the training staff wasn't too bad).
As a walk-on there was no "family" feel when I was there....it was all divided...divided by offense/defense, divided by scholarship and non-scholarship, divided by black and white (at least to a fairly significant degree), divided by positions.
This is now the 2nd time I've heard a story about walk-ons being treated like they are "real" members of the team. The other story was when CBJ first got the job and called every player on the roster...walk-ons included...introducing himself, getting to know them, and making them feel part of the team.
Color me pleased...and impressed.