The question, though simply stated, rendered LSU senior left tackle La’el Collins nearly speechless.
For 22 seconds Collins stood in silence Monday, racking his brain for his favorite memory from his four years at Redemptorist High School.
One of his three straight Louisiana 3A All-State team selections? A memorable win at Majella Field — the Wolves’ home stadium affectionately termed “The Rock” by players and alumni?
No, the memory wasn’t on the field — it was in the pool.
“After ring ceremony,” Collins said. “We all went by one of our classmates’ homes. Had a pool party. Just hung out, had a good time.”
Last Friday, Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge Bishop Robert W. Muench announced that, effective after the 2014-15 school year, the group’s alma mater would close its doors after 67 years in Baton Rouge.
Citing plummeting enrollment numbers, Muench said at a news conference that the Diocese “hoped against hope” to keep the school’s doors open, but a projected 2015 enrollment of 150 students was the final straw.
“There’s no way that school should close down,” Collins said. “I feel like if there’s anything that has to be done, maybe we can get it done.”
Joining Collins at the pool party was former LSU running back and current Cincinnati Bengal Jeremy Hill, UL-Lafayette senior cornerback Corey Trim and Southern junior wide receiver Nico Talbert. The quartet, and a host of others, are still in a group text message.
“All the text messages go way back,” Collins said with a laugh.
“We’re like this,” he added, crossing his fingers together.
The messages, normally filled with football, fun and lightheartedness took a turn after the news conference.
“It was devastating. It hasn’t come out of my mouth that Redemptorist is closing,” Collins said. “Because I can’t believe that. I just hope that there’s something. There has to be a way to keep that school open.”

Though unsure of the intricacies or specificities of the closure, or what could be done to reverse it, Collins pledged any and all of his available resources to help the group of alumni fighting to keep their former school’s doors open.
Then he began to think. Back to the lessons in classrooms on St. Gerard Ave. just across from Tony’s Seafood. To his time with coach Guy Mistretta, head coach during the Wolves’ heyday — 70 wins in seven seasons and a state title in 2005, along with two more as a defensive coordinator in 2002 and 2004.
And to the young man who entered those doors in 2007 as a larger-than-average freshman.
“That school has helped put me in a position to where I am in life today,” Collins said. “There’s no way I won’t help that school. I learned a lot. They taught great academics. It was just a great school.”
“Why would you want a great school to close down?” he asked.
A projected top-15 NFL Draft pick in June, Collins pledged to keep his alma mater in the forefront as he ascends the professional ranks. He assured he’d do “whatever [alumni] need me to” in an effort to reopen the school that provided him so much.
As reporters dispersed and Collins walked away, he left with one final, emphatic statement.
“’The Rock’ will never be silent,” Collins said, raising his voice. “There will always be football at ‘The Rock.’”