Driven to Help, On and Off the Field
For as long as he can remember, Chandon Pierre ’25 has always been determined to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to find a career where I could help people,” said Pierre. “When I realized that could be done through becoming a lawyer, I became motivated to pursue a job in the legal profession.”
His upbringing in Reno, NV, shaped Pierre’s path to law school. Raised by two immigrant parents, his desire to effect change began through his observations and experiences of the social injustices and systematic inequalities within society and sports.
However, his journey to Villanova Law includes another passion for the sport he has played his entire life: football.
On top of being a full-time law student, Pierre is also a proud member of the Villanova Wildcats football team. He began his collegiate football career at the University of North Dakota while participating in an accelerated six-year bachelor’s/JD program. Pierre earned his BS in criminal justice magna cum laude in three years and then began law school.
Upon realizing his desire to create meaningful change by helping athletes or teams at the collegiate or professional level, he entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a dedicated sports law program that would prepare him for that field and allow him to continue his collegiate football career. Soon after, Villanova Football Head Coach Mark Ferrante offered him a scholarship to join the team.
Pierre transferred to Villanova this past summer. He has maintained athletic eligibility due to his redshirt freshman season, receiving an extra year from the NCAA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and sitting out his first year of law school at North Dakota due to schedule conflicts.
The key factor that drew him to Villanova Law was the Sports Law Concentration and the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law.
“In addition to being a social justice advocate, I would really love to pursue a legal career in professional or collegiate sports,” said Pierre. “A dream job of mine has been to become either a professional sports agent or a collegiate-level conference commissioner.”
He adds, “As much as those roles are centered around sports, those individuals are also in a unique position of power where they can make change and have a real impact on athlete’s lives.”
Andrew Brandt, executive director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law and professor of practice, feels a student-athlete like Pierre brings a unique perspective to Villanova Law.
“Chandon has been a true pleasure to have in my classes and in our sports law program,” said Brandt. “As an active student-athlete in a sport we discuss often, football, he brings a unique and cherished perspective to all our discussions. He has brought teammates to the class, which adds further texture to our conversation. He has become a very valuable addition to our law school community.”
Pierre is grateful to his professors and coaches for their patience and support in balancing his two strongest passions, sports and law. Despite his rigorous schedule, he sees a positive impact from both sides.
“Through football, I’ve gained leadership skills, and through law school, I’ve gained intellectual skills,” explains Pierre. “Those leadership skills have carried over and taught me the importance of dedication and commitment within the classroom and law school community. The intellectual abilities have carried over onto the field and taught me the importance of possessing a higher football IQ on the field to help my team.”
As Pierre enters his final year of law school and collegiate football next fall, he hopes his story will inspire others looking to make an impact.
“If my journey can inspire even just one person who hopes to do good and help others through this profession, then the world will be much better,” he said. “I am very thankful to have many people in my life who have helped me get to where I am, and I want to offer that same level of support to others.”