Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
Over the past several months many of us have rediscovered the importance of our immediate families. We have spent time reconnecting with our parents, grandparents, our children and grandchildren, as well as, members of our extended family.
 
The term family is also used to describe a group of people who are united by a common goal with similar characteristics. Athletic programs across the country at all levels promote the importance of family and playing an integral role as part of a cohesive unit that strives to accomplish a common goal.
 
The Pitt State Football program has been a part of my life for the past 35 years.
 
Jerry Kill was one of my coaches my senior year in high school at Midwest City, Oklahoma. He accepted a job to coach at Pittsburg State University for Dennis Franchione at the end of our season. I am fortunate that he thought I was good enough to play and recruited me.
 
I came to Pitt State in 1985 and played four years. I was fortunate to have a good career and even though PSU had so much greatness in the past, I was able to be a part of some teams that continued the upward trajectory of the football program from then to now.
 
Our teams were the epitome of family. More importantly, I played with some great players who laid the foundation of what the football program has accomplished since then. There are too many great players who were brought together by a great coaching staff as a family to name. We were different people from different backgrounds and different abilities who came together for a common goal. I made lifelong friends who would do anything for me, and I for them. Not acquaintances but true friends. True family.
 
Following my playing career, I was given the opportunity to coach for Coach Fran and then Coach Broyles. The amount I learned during that two-year period was immeasurable. It laid the foundation for the rest of my professional career and continued to reinforce the importance of being part of a program that stressed the importance of family above everything else.
 
Jerry Kill had left Pitt State to become the head coach at Webb City High School. He hired Kurt Thompson as a coach while I continued to coach at Pitt. When Coach Kill left, Kurt became the head coach at Webb. Kurt and I played together at Pitt State and he offered me a job as an assistant coach which I accepted. Kurt is a great coach who led the program to new heights. The common thread with the success we had is we were all part of the Pitt State family.  What we learned was brought to Webb City and continues this day under the leadership of John Roderique.
 
While I was at Webb City, I met my wife Sarah. We were blessed with three unbelievable children. Our eldest, Jacob, was fortunate to be a part of the Pitt State football team for four years. He has told me the lessons he learned and friends he made during that time were irreplaceable. He received his degree in plastics engineering technology. Our youngest, Zeke, currently plays for the football team and is working towards his business/marketing degree.
 
Tim Beck who I played with during college, called and asked if I wanted to coach last season. I was able to coach Jacob during high school and I jumped at the opportunity to coach for the Gorillas with my other son Zeke on the team. As a coach for over 30 years, I have to say, last year was undeniably one of my favorite seasons.
 
The Pittsburg State football family allowed me to accomplish more than I ever thought possible as a player. I made more lifelong friends than a person would think possible. The family led to jobs and opportunities I would not have had. It led to meeting my wife of 27 years and three beautiful children. The family provided the same kind of opportunities for Jacob and is now doing the same for Zeke.
 
Every year, Brett Potts, Blaise Bauer, John Kemp, and I get together during the summer. Inevitably, we end up talking about the great times we had in college and rehash old games and stories. Everything ends up coming back to family.
 
I thank Pittsburg State University and Pittsburg State Football for everything it has provided for me.
 
Hold tight to your families in this time and remember that this too shall pass and Pitt State will continue the tradition of excellence. It is a special place, and as we say in Kansas, "there's no place like home."
 
OAGAAG,
 
Jesse Wall
 
Jesse Wall was a two-time NAIA All-America selection at Pittsburg State in 1987-88. He was named to the school's 100^th Anniversary Football Team in 2003 and inducted into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. A native of Midwest City, Okla., Jesse and his wife, Sarah, have three adult children:  sons Jacob and Zeke and daughter Bradyn.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!
 

Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)
Vol. XVIV - Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (May 18)
Vol. XX - Jen Gomez, Volleyball Coach (May 20)
Vol. XXI - Harlan Hess, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 22)
Vol. XXII - Kaity Kukowski, Softball Athlete (May 25)
Vol. XXIII - Eddie Lomshek, PSU Alum/Play-By-Play Broadcaster (May 27)
Vol. XXIV - Jenni (Miller) Croy, PSU Alum/Women's Basketball Athlete (May 29)