Ed Pierce speaking with the media on Monday, August 26.
You’ll likely see Ed Pierce at a Sto-Rox school, a community event, or coaching baseball. No matter the circumstance, “Coach Ed” shows up. That made his new role, as the Sto-Rox School District’s Parent-Community Liaison, a perfect fit.
“I felt like this job was written for me,” said Pierce in mid-August. “I’m a proud member of this community.”
Pierce started in the role in late Spring with the task of building relationships. Whether he's talking to parents about enrolling their child at Sto-Rox, or organizing community events, Pierce understands the value of making connections. Over the summer, he hosted “open gyms” on Fridays at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School.
Children and Sto-Rox staffers at an open gym at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School.
“It was something I started when I was with V.I.B.E.,” said Pierce. “Give the community, the kids, somewhere to go on a Friday. Instead of playing video games or going out and finding trouble, or having trouble finding them.”
Pierce was part of the V.I.B.E. team that launched in Sto-Rox in 2023. Ed and his team members addressed the impact of trauma on students. “Open gyms” are a natural extension of that outreach.
"The kids really love it,” he said. “We get kids not only from Sto-Rox, but from Sheraden, we’ve had a kid from the North Side, we’ve even had a kid or two from Montour. We learn to get along with other people.”
Pierce (right) with a student on Monday, August 26.
In early August, Pierce brought Sto-Rox staff, community organizations, and students together for a kickball game and resource fair at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School.
“We had different people, different backgrounds, all local community (members),” he said. “Some of the store owners, some of the police officers – not in uniform – just coming out to hang out with the kids, get to know each other’s names and see that we’re all just people from The Rocks.”
When Jr./Sr. High School students returned from summer break on Monday, August 26, Pierce worked with Steel City Impact to organize the PRIDE - Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence – Community Pep Rally. He helped bring community organizations, elected officials, and neighbors together to cheer students on as they started the 2024-2025 school year.
“We cheer on our football players, our baseball players,” said Pierce during local media interviews. “We want to cheer on the students coming in, let them know they’re loved, and the community respects them.”
PHOTOS: First Day of School in Sto-Rox
Before joining the district’s staff, “Coach Ed” lived up to his nickname by coaching baseball and football. He still coaches youth baseball, and his approach is inclusive.
“I try to make sure every kid hits the field,” he said. “I want them to try something different. McKees Rocks is a big football town, and I coached football for over 20 years...I went to baseball to try to find other kids, to get them out here having fun.”
Pierce (second from right) with his mother (far right), Marlene Banks, at a Community Kickball Event and Resource Fair.
Community involvement is part of Pierce’s DNA. His mother, Marlene Banks, started the Welcome To The Table Project, an organization that serves meals to people in need. Pierce, a co-founder, also works in the kitchen, cooking meals for the organization.
“We serve community dinners every Tuesday,” said Pierce. “You just come, sit down, meet community members and have a nice hot meal.”
Banks also served as community liaison for the district before retiring in 2015. It’s clear from Pierce’s work that building relationships and serving others runs in the family.
“I’m for the improvement of this community, which means their children,” explained Pierce. “I care about their children like they’re mine. I want to see the best for them, and that’s my ultimate goal, for us to get a little bit better every day.”
PHOTOS: Community Kickball Event & Resource Fair
LINK: Welcome To The Table Project