When Marion (Pete) Pierson passed away on Jan. 19, 2009, we knew that his spirit, his faithfulness and ready smile, his graciousness, and his lessons, in sports and in life, would live on in countless players, students, family, friends and those who crossed his path and soon became friends.
We invite you to use this online space to share those lessons, stories and memories.
What have you learned from Coach Pete, whether by word or example? Please let us know. To post or to view what others have written, go to the comments section. If you or someone else would like to submit something about Dad via e-mail instead, please be in touch with me, mjpierson@yahoo.com, and I can post it. We plan to keep this blog open between now and March 20 and hope it will serve to pass on Dad's example and legacy and to honor all he's taught to us.
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I was one of Coach Pete's players from the Spring of 1969 to graduation of 1972. I'll always remember how hard it was to play for a man that not only taught me the painful skills of the sport, like toughness, hard work, belief, extra hard work, desire, determination, and even more hard work...but he also demanded the same efforts from me in learning the more important skills of real life, like honesty, integrity, and fair play. Yet, one lesson, above all the others, one that will remain my fondest of memories of Marion C. "Pete" Pierson, was the lesson he lived, one he constantly wore, and one he most proudly displayed, at all times...that lesson was "godliness." For that lesson I will forever "love" Coach Pete.
ReplyDeleteSteve Eads (Tuscaloosa, AL)
My jounery with Coach Pete began in 1983. He hired me as a Bus Driver. I loved my job and became close to Coach, his wife, daughter and sisters. His secretary, Rose, kept everyone in line. He saw in me what I did not. Taught me about the transportation business and let me be his Girl Friday. This was a great impact on me from 1983-2009. I am still in transportation and loving it. I will never forget Coach Pete, I Love him and I know in my heart he cared for me. I stayed in touch, but not like I should have. He will always be in my heart and mind. God knows best.
ReplyDeleteCora Turnipseed
Coach Pete was my Drivers Ed teacher and my Study Hall instructor. He was a great guy and I know he will be missed by all! He was inspirational and in his own way funny with that dry humor! Rest in peace Coach Pete!
ReplyDeleteRhonda Hinton Madison
I met "Coach" when I entered Tuscaloosa High School as a freshman in 1961. I was always too small to really compete in football or basketball, but Coach encouraged me to give it my best. As a result, I played B Team football and B team basketball. Later I got into track and that was more suited for my small frame. Through the years after I graduated from high school I continued to see Coach around town. He always had that infectious smile and a word of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteAfter I joined First Baptist Church in 1981 I really got to see how Coach "walked the talk."
Several years later I had the honor to serve with Coach on the deacon body. He became a friend that I always looked up to and respected highly. He will be missed greatly by all who came across his path.
Jimmy Duren
Being able to play football for Coach Pete, I learned many things about football. But as Jimmy Duren said above, He walked the talk. I later in life had three boys of my own. I was able to pass on to them. The lesons of life learned from coach Pete. I will have to tell them now that I got so much instruction from a man as a far as I've ever known was called Coach "Pete". Thank You Coach Pete. I will never forget you. And the soon returning of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will see You again.
ReplyDeleteArtie Shaul Class of 70'
I have many wonderful memories of Coach Pierson. I became more aware of him during my youth at First Baptist Church. He was our youth minister before we officially had one. He was wonderful! His calm demeanor when talking to us made us want to listen to and learn from his words of wisdom. He went on several youth retreats and was always entertaining and patient with us kids being kids. I have too many tales to tell in this setting. The last time Coach Pierson and I really had a good visit was at the DCH Cancer Center. We were both taking chemo and were seated next to each other. He was in pain but remained the calm and pleasant person that he always was. We had a good talk about the days at THS and 1st Baptist. Coach Pierson loved people as much as we loved him. Heaven's gates were wide open to welcome this wonderful person that lived an exemplatory life. His legacy will live on in our lives for many, many years to come.
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