De La Salle Chess Team coach and English teacher David Pierson was recently honored in the September issue of Chess Life.
Pierson was recognized by the magazine on the 30th birthday of the Louisiana Scholastic Chess League which he originated. In the beginning, the organization had eight teams but the number steadily increased.
Five years ago, Pierson turned the League over to Louis Dudousssat and Jean Troendle who have honored the original creator with the “David Pierson Citywide Scholastic Chess Tournament.”
At De La Salle, Pierson continues his interest in chess. Last school year, he coached now-senior Tom Sivori to the 1st place Individual State Chess Championship. His teams have placed 1st or 2nd in the State Tournament numerous times in the past five years.