Why Waddell Day resonates

While en route to an NSU function in Shreveport on Tuesday night, I checked in on Celeste Waddell over in the Dallas area. Celeste is the mother of the Chris Waddell, the NSU football player who died on the practice field four years ago on March 1.

It is in many ways odd that that first time I ever met Celeste was at the hospital the night Chris died, after she had made the difficult drive from her home in New Orleans knowing what awaited her in Natchitoches. From that moment forward, we developed a connection that I am sure will remain for the rest of our lives. The same applies for Celeste and NSU Head Football Coach Scott Stoker. How we admired her so for the inner and outer strength she displayed during that difficult time, and continues to show today.

With that in mind, and as difficult as it is still to reflect on Chris’ passing, I have to admit that a smile comes to my face each year as the NSU football players embark on their annual “Chris Waddell Day” project in the local schools. This year, with the anniversary of Chris’ death falling on a Saturday, the project was held on Wednesday, March 5.

The players all wore stickers which read “In Honor of Chris Waddell, NSU Football, March 1, 2004.” When I say “the players,” I mean ALL of the players. Not that they need prodding – the Chris Waddell logo on the Turpin Stadium field is still the team meeting site after each practice so they understand the significance of the day – but participation in this project is not optional. The players talked openly to the young people about Chris’ death and about how this day is their way of remembering his life and about the importance of living every day to its fullest ... like Chris did. They talked to the young people about doing their best next week on the upcoming LEAP tests, about making good decisions regarding what they do and with whom they associate, and about having fun.

I just wanted to be sure Celeste still knew that while Chris may be gone in one sense, he will never be gone in terms of what he meant to NSU and in terms of how his memory still influences countless lives.

Greg Burke, Director of Athletics