Saturday night’s thrilling 31-28 Northwestern State football victory over Central Arkansas had every one of the 10,258 fans in Turpin Stadum on the edge of their seats as the Demons notched a last-play triumph. As the initial participants in NSU’s newly-created “Guest Coach” program, J.J. Blake of Many and his 13-year-old son Jack were with the Demons every step of the way, watching the game and its dramatic finish from the sideline after taking part in team meetings during the day.
The "Guest Coach" program is being offered to select members of the NSU Athletic Association and university faculty and staff as a courtesy of the NSU Athletic Association. The support that we receive from our Association members as well as our faculty and staff is tremendous, and the 'Guest Coach' program allows us to show our appreciation to some very important people. This is among a number of programs we are introducing this year that provide our supporters more access and more opportunities to interact with our coaches and student-athletes, who are in so many ways ambassadors of our fine university.
The Blakes began the day with a tour of the NSU Athletic Field House, including the Johnnie Emmons Academic Center, the George Doherty Wing containing the football offices, the Jack Clayton Plaza in the south end zone of Turpin Stadium, the Eugene Christmas Training Room, and the team's locker room. They joined assistant coach Jeremy Offutt and the offensive line for that group’s pregame walk-through, met players and coaches during the team's pregame meal, and then sat in with assistant coach Roy Locks and the defensive line for tips and reminders before the game. At the pregame meal, they heard head coach Scott Stoker's speech to the players. Stoker stressed the importance of playing all 60 minutes of the football game, a message that rung true as kicker Robert Weeks lined up for the game-winning field goal with 1.7 seconds left to play, after Northwestern overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit.
Father and son spent the evening on the sideline with the team, enjoying an up-close view of the hard-hitting action and getting a perspective that few fans have a chance to experience. There are certainly other Division I football programs that provide some access for supporters on game day, but what Coach Stoker, his staff and players did last Saturday was truly remarkable especially for the 2007 Southland Conference opener, a critical game. It shows how much they appreciate the people who are an extended part of the NSU athletic family. What goes on in the game, on the field, can’t succeed without our donors, without our fans, without the faculty, staff and NSU students.
Prior to the season, NSU season ticket holders were treated to another rare view behind the scenes when the Aug. 9 "Season Ticket Pickup Party" was held in the Demons' locker room -- an area considered sacred to football players, and typically off limits to others. The 'Season Ticket Pickup Party' is the kind of event that Coach Stoker and his players enjoyed providing to their supporters, with exclusive access to an area the players consider their own sanctuary. Our coaches and student-athletes in every sport value each of our season ticket holders and Association members.
The "Guest Coach" pilot program will be conducted again later in the season for football, and again during the basketball and spring sports seasons before likely being expanded in the 2008-2009 athletic campaign. Donor eligibility for the program will be based on the level of Asssociation membership, with members who contribute $600 and up being eligible on a first-come, first-served basis.
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