Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Potter not the only heroic Harry today

The media attention was squarely focused on NSU athletics today along two different paths.

Congratulations to one of my heroes, Dr. Harry Briggs, for being up to the challenge of completing a two-mile swim at the age of 86 today in Cross Lake in Shreveport. I understand there was great media coverage and wish I could see for myself. I'll have to watch the sportscasts online and read the Shreveport Times tomorrow morning.

I hope that Demon fans will make contributions to round out the Lydia Briggs Tennis Scholarship to $10,000. I understand a $100 contribution was made today so we're only about $400 shy of the goal.

Harry Potter has the world's kids captivated. If only they could be as inspired by our own Harry Briggs ...

Here in Houston, there was a beehive of media activity at the Southland Conference Football Media Days. Our players, seniors Clay Broyles and C.L. Grogan, were very impressive handling their interview opportunities. THey were also crisply attired and represented NSU in exemplary fashion.

Hard to believe that Demons' head coach Scott Stoker, beginning his sixth season, is the "dean" of SLC coaches less than 20 years after his remarkable playing career ended. He's a 39-year-old self described "old man."

Nice of first-year Southeastern head coach Mike Lucas to pay tribute to retired NSU coach Sam Goodwin in his remarks at the media luncheon. Lucas, a longtime assistant under Ron Randleman at Sam Houston State, said he was very proud to be a head coach in the same conference where legendary coaches like Randleman, Goodwin and McNeese's Bobby Keasler once coached.

Stpehen F. Austin rookie head coach J.C. Harper gave Stoker and NSU lots of credit for his opportunity to become head man in Lumberjack country. Harper has two former Demon players, Darren Drago and Brad Laird, on his assistant coaching staff. We hope SFA goes unbeaten -- until the final game of the regular season!

Doug Ireland, SID

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