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Walters' Faith Finds Fit At Central Catholic

Joe Walters
Eric Stock
/
WGLT
Joe Walters takes over the football program at Central Catholic High School after coaching two seasons at Bloomington.

The new head football coach at Central Catholic High School is grateful he can now be more open about his faith.

Joe Walters coached football for two seasons at Bloomington High School, after coaching previously at Peoria Notre Dame. Walters told GLT's Sound Ideas he realized after the first season at BHS he had to be careful giving any appearance that he was trying to impose his faith on others, particularly his players.
 

"You might have the answer but you can't always share it with them in that setting. That was tough."

“We were very cautious. I was trying to stay within the boundaries,” Walters said. “It was hard. I thought it would be easier than it was I guess.”

Faith and football have been linked in American culture for decades. Walters said that's because of the physical and emotional toll the sport takes on its players.

“It’s a very high level competition,” Walters said. “It’s a stressful environment, very physical.

“It’s hard when you are a Christian and you know sometimes the solution to a kid’s problem,” Walters said. “You might have the answer but you can’t always share it with them in that setting. That was tough.”

Walters added he's concerned to see fewer kids playing football over concerns about head injuries.

“I think that’s our responsibility as adults,” Walters said. “We have to protect our players and our children. If we are not doing that, shame on us.”

Walters has tabbed to replace Mike Moews, who resigned after five seasons at CCHS.

faithbasedcoachlong.mp3
GLT's full interview with Joe Walters.

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Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.