Senior defensive lineman Chris Hester isn’t a typical college student. Aside from his daily class schedule, Hester must also make time for football practice, as well as being a full-time husband and parent. Hester’s schedule hasn’t kept him down as he currently maintains a 3.5 grade point average.”Playing football gives me a reason to study,” Hester said. “For me good grades equal football.”

Hester’s role on the team has taken shape through his career at Nicholls, and his hard work has made him noticeable to his head coach.

“The knowledge of the game for Chris (Hester) has improved so much,” Jay Thomas, head football coach, said. “He understands the scheme of the defense and the tempo of practice. He’s grown so much and is a man now. He has a wife and kid but has handled everything well.”

Hester and his wife, Lisa Wilmore, a nursing senior at Nicholls, have had to adjust to each other’s schedules just as any married couple. Raising their son, Markey, isn’t always easy but they’ve found a way to do it. Together they developed a system that they follow each semester.

“Every semester my wife and I get together and develop a plan for the semester,” Hester said. “We try our best to stick to that plan. If something unexpected comes up, we leave each other notes so we can know what each other is doing.”

During his junior season in 2003, Hester finished as the 10th leading tackler recording 36 tackles and two sacks. As a sophomore, he earned 12 tackles, two of which were solo.

The 2004 season was supposed to be Hester’s final season, but an unexpected knee injury prevented him from completing it. Hester was then given a medical red-shirt and was allowed another year of eligibility.

As far as the knee goes, it may take time, but Hester said he’s feeling great.

“The knee is doing pretty good,” Hester said. “I’m getting out there and battling with the guys everyday. It’s really not a problem for me.”

Surgery to repair his knee was the only option for Hester. The chance for him to play again was too great for him to miss it. Hester’s family supported him every step of the way.

“My family has been very supportive,” Hester said. “My wife took time off of work to be with me during my surgery and is behind me all the way. As long as I follow my dreams and give 100 percent, she’s going to be there.”

Now in his official senior season, Hester has taken on the role as leader-a role even his teammates have embraced.

“Anybody that can come back after a whole year off and get respect is a great player in my opinion,” senior defensive lineman Michael Young said, adding “he works hard and makes everybody around him better.”

Despite having football and school on his mind, Hester’s main focus in life is the well-being of his family. Hester takes pride in having a son and understands the importance of being an active father.

“My family absolutely has to be taken care of,” Hester said. “Kids have a lot of needs in life, and I know that growing up I didn’t have a father figure until my stepdad came into my life. I want to be the father that my real dad wasn’t to me.”

In addition to his wife and child, Hester credits his mom for keeping him focused. Even when things weren’t positive, Hester said he always kept positive.

“My mom was my biggest influence in life,” Hester said. “She was there for me the whole time. When I wanted to drop out of school, she was there to tell me stories from her childhood to help me out.”

Hester, who prepped at Central Lafourche High School in Mathews, chose to come to Nicholls because of the location and the chance to play football.

“I had the opportunity to do something by playing football, and I went for it,” Hester said. “It was close to home, and I knew that by playing football I had the opportunity to make something of myself.”

Now that he is preparing to graduate, Hester said he has kept his options open. He is currently majoring in general studies.

“I have my chauffeur’s license, and I’m thinking about going for my CDL,” he said. “There are always options for me after school. I may go to barber school so I can have a trade and have my own little business. I’ll do whatever it takes to pursue my goals in life. It’s a matter of knowing what you want to do and then doing it.