Pierre Walters, 28, born in Maywood and raised in Forest park is now a football coach at St. Joseph High School, his alma mater. He was in the 2004 graduating class at St. Joseph’s. He enjoys being a coach and mentor to his students.
Q: When did you start playing your sport and why?
I first started playing football my freshman year at St. Joseph High School. My interest in the sport grew throughout middle school, so I decided to give it a try once I enrolled at Joes.
Q: What did you enjoy most about playing at your high school?
I mostly enjoyed playing ball with my friends. Win or lose, we always had fun on the field.
Q: At what point did you realize you’d be able to play in college (and the pros, if applicable)?
It’s safe to say that by my sophomore year I was completely obsessed with football. It was at this time where I began to research different college teams and players to see what I had to do to get noticed at the next level. Once I figured out what I needed were things I could control (grades, A.C.T., physical presence/play-style, etc.), I knew I was going to play in college. I knew playing in the NFL was a pipe-dream, so my focus was solely on getting into college.
Q: What was the transition like between playing in high school and in college?
The transition was lively, but everything worked out! Along with the job-like college football schedule, I had to get used to everything from the increased speed of the game to sacrificing holidays with family for appearances and play-off games. Football and all other sports become a full-time endeavor at the collegiate level. I was blessed to have a solid support system in my coaches, close friends and family.
Q: Did you have a mentor/s that helped you along the way? If so, tell us a little about him/her.
Both of my parents have served as mentors along my journey. My dad, a Vietnam War Veteran, has always been a symbol of hard work and toughness. My mom helped instill more domestic and patient qualities in me. Ultimately, they are both very worldly, hardworking blue-collar people who I’m extremely fortunate to have raise me. I’d also have to say Roc Bellantoni, my defensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois at the time served as a mentor. He helped aid in my maturation process while making the total college transition.
Q: What are you doing now and does anything you learned in sports at St. Joe’s still impact you today?
I spend a lot of my time coaching and mentoring at St. Joseph High School. I enjoy being a support to the young men and women here. Other than that I’m either training at the gym, coaching/training other young athletes around the area, or spending time with my parents when I can. Playing sports at St. Joseph reinforced the “never give up”, optimistic attitude that I exude to this day. Striving for excellence and being a good community leader are two of the main attributes St. Joseph Athletics has introduced to me.
Q: Looking back on your experience from St. Joe’s through your current situation, is there anything you would change?
Nothing! Life is always in place the way it’s supposed to be. Whether through good times or bad, I go through life/have gone through life with no regrets. You live, learn and get better!
Q: Anything else you’d like to say?
First, I want to thank everyone at St. Joe’s for welcoming me back with open arms. I also want to thank all of my football players who work so hard and sacrifice so much in our pursuit of something really special. Their bravery and grit doesn’t go unnoticed and they are the true reason why our football program is on the rise! I love you guys!