I’m Allison Didier Leake, and I was born and raised in Thibodaux, LA. My maiden name, Didier, may be familiar to some of the older generations in Baton Rouge because of my grandfather and great uncles being involved in football and baseball in the area many years ago. At the LSU baseball field facility, my grandfather is the coach in the large mural on the wall; the Nicholls baseball field is also named after him. Because of my father, I’ve been around volleyball since the day I was born. I’ve seen him coach at every level from junior high to high school to college, so needless to say I am obsessed with volleyball. I am the oldest of 4 girls, so my wonderful parents had their hands full, and at some point, we have all coached volleyball either in the club or high school setting. We’ve also extended our love of volleyball to our husbands too! After high school, I moved to Baton Rouge, went to LSU, and was in the Delta Gamma sorority. I have coached volleyball at 3 different high schools and opened my own club volleyball program, Ignite Volleyball Club, where we have many former players of mine now coaching. Most years we have anywhere from 10-16 teams with age ranges from 8-17 years old. Since the age of 10, I’ve been a type I Diabetic, but that hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love. I am a strong-willed, passionate woman who loves volleyball, my family, and travel. I always have to have my next trip booked!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m married to Casey Leake and we have a soccer-loving son named Easton and a volleyball-loving daughter named Harper. Between coaching high school and middle school volleyball at Parkview Baptist, owning and coaching Ignite Volleyball, and our kids’ sports, our family is extremely busy at all times of the year! I’ve been blessed to have such a patient and loving husband who is so supportive of my love of volleyball and travel. My kids are great travelers and love to try new things too.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I come from a long line of coaches, so it is in my blood. I started coaching club volleyball at the age of 17. My first high school volleyball coaching job was as an assistant at Parkview Baptist while I was a student at LSU. Once I graduated from LSU, I took a teaching and coaching job at Terrebonne High School in Houma to be an assistant to my dad, Chip Didier. I coached with him 2 years before getting married, moving to Gonzales and starting my head coaching career at St. Amant High School where I remained for 15 years as a teacher, coach, graduation coach, and assistant athletic director. For the past 2 years, I have been an assistant volleyball coach and assistant athletic director at Parkview Baptist and just recently was named the head volleyball coach. My coaching career has come full circle back to Parkview Baptist where God knew I was meant to be. I love getting to be a part of an athlete’s journey from the beginning to the end while building relationships with them. it is so much fun to see the “lightbulb” go off, but ultimately it’s about all of the cherished relationships built and seeing them come back to visit.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
SoLou, Queso, BRQ, Ruffino’s, Chime’s, French Market Bistro, Bistro Byronz, Superior
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Almost 20 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I just can’t narrow it down to one person. I meet so many interesting people every week and love to hear their stories.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Well, our family LOVES to travel so we have a 5-week trip booked to Italy coming up, so I’d love to leave right now! We also have tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024 and can’t wait for that either!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
When I do get a chance to sit and watch TV, I like Friends. My most recent favorite movie would be Top Gun: Maverick.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
God only gives us one life so make the most of it with as many memories as you can fit in with the people you love. It’s His plan, not ours, so trust Him.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Going watch volleyball in the Olympics, which I’ll get to do next summer.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
It’s not a band for me. I like the singer, Pink, because she is a strong woman who stayed true to herself while creating her persona in the music world.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Ruffino’s because I have very fond memories of being there as a little girl when we visited BR to see family.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Ok, I know I’m supposed to choose someone alive, and if I had to, it would be Kim Mulkey at this time. She’s got so much energy and love for her sport and players. But I would really love to have sat down with my grandfather, Raymond Didier, Sr., who I never met because he passed away too soon. He was the head football and baseball coach at Southwestern, now known as UL, assistant football and head baseball coach at LSU specifically when LSU football won their first National Championship in 1958, and head baseball coach and athletic director at Nicholls. the most impressive thing is how many of his players speak so very highly of him and returned to see my grandmother when she was alive because he had made such an amazing impact on so many of his players. I believe that is the true measure of the impact a coach has on their players. I’d have to take them to Chime’s because it’s a great lunch place and atmosphere.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
We do not simply support our teams, whether professional, college, or high school; it is a passion and true love. It’s the Louisiana way!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I pray I’ll be in the same buildings and gyms with a little more knowledge under my belt, a lot more players to have connected with and my family flourishing at Parkview, our home away from home.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I lived in Europe for 5 months while studying abroad in college. One of the classes I took there is where I learned to draw and am pretty good at it.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been? Why did it make such an impression on you?
Exuma, Bahamas because there are so many places on the island that are still untouched. The night sky is extra clear, and the stars shine so much brighter than anywhere I’ve ever been.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December because I LOVE Christmas! The best day of the year is probably my husband and I’s anniversary because we are usually relaxing on vacation together.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Hearing my daughter talk about how much she loves God and Jesus. It makes my heart melt!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and players because I want to be the best version of me for them to see a good role model.
Q: If you stop at the corner gas station, what is the one food item that is begging you to purchase?
Depending if I’m feeling salty or sweet: bold chex mix or chocolate covered almonds
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is wherever my family and I are together.