'Surreal moment': Brockton High alum never dreamed he'd return as football coach
BROCKTON — Memories of the Friday night lights beaming down in the fourth quarter will permanently be engraved in one Brockton High School alumni's heart. Now, he's done a full circle and is coaching the youth and providing the mentorship he needed as a child.
Football isn't just a sport to freshman head coach Uzziah Hilliard. It's a way of life.
The sport has taught him how to be an "exceptional" man with discipline, character and respect. He's built lifelong friendships due to the sport and knows what it takes to keep his team running successfully.
"Playing football kept me and many of my friends out of trouble. It taught us how to stay committed, responsible and dedicated to a goal. I think another thing football taught us was to stay consistent through hard times, and it just prepared us for life," Hilliard said.
How the love for football begun
As a child, Hilliard went to Brookfield Elementary School in Brockton and played football during recess.
Football was just a fun sport that made the time go by faster. But later, Hilliard's skills advanced, and football became a large part of his life, leading him to play college football at Framingham State University.
By attending college, he could play the sport he loved on a collegiate level while earning a degree to better his future.
Hilliard is now a full-time social studies teacher at New Heights Charter School in Brockton.
What was it like being a coach for BHS?
Coaching a football team has been so surreal for Hilliard.
"If 10 years ago you told me I would be coaching freshman football, I wouldn't believe you," Hilliard said.
Hilliard was in the same position as those freshmen eight years ago, never thinking football would be the leading love in his life.
"I'm super big on my community, and making sure everyone thrives and giving back to the city was important to me. Growing up, I didn't have many coaches who looked like me or came from the same background as me," Hilliard said.
"I'm glad I can be the big brother and mentor I needed when I was a kid."
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Overall, Hilliard has had a good run as a coach since 2021. Last year, the middle school team he coached won a streak of seven games. So far, his high school team has won three games and had two "tough" losses this season.
But to Hilliard, winning isn't the important aspect of football.
Teaching them to love the sport and apply the basic principles to their real lives is what matters the most.
Shaping these boys into high-value men who will add substance to society is Hilliard's goal.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton High teacher Uzziah Hilliard loves role as football coach
