Andrew’s Little Irish

The Little Irish Program at O’Dea High School is designed to match a young student (boys and girls grades K-6) with an O’Dea football player. The purpose of the program is to encourage our young men to become positive leaders and role models in the greater O’Dea community. In addition, the program presents an opportunity for the young people of our community to have a mentor in their lives.

In June 2024, Little Irish was renamed to Andrew’s Little Irish, in honor and memory of Andrew Walker, Class of 2018.

About Andrew Walker, Class of 2018

From a young age, Andrew ’18 grew up on the sidelines of Fighting Irish football as an enthusiastic supporter and young ball boy. At O’Dea, he played on the football team for four years, one as a member of the 2017 State Championship Team. Andrew lived his life on the foundation of “God, Family, and Friends.” He was a Little Irish mentor when the program first began in 2016, and true to his compassion and love for giving back, he was an incredible role model to his Little Irish buddy. Andrew was a person other student mentors could aspire to model themselves after, a pillar of the O’Dea Brotherhood, and a true O’Dea gentleman.

While Andrew passed away in 2023, we carry him in our hearts and are honored to name this important program after him. Our hope is that those involved will be inspired to be a positive leader and mentor, just as Andrew was to the young people he came to know through the Little Irish.