The "Still a Demon" updates will provide information on Demon student-athlete alumni and letterwinners whom I encounter as I travel the world (ok, mostly the Ark-La-Tex) promoting NSU Athletics as the Executive Director of the Athletic Association.
One of the truest joys of returning to NSU in my current capacity has been reconnecting with former Demon teammates and meeting for the first time individuals upon whose shoulders the traditions of Demon Athletics have been built. Fittingly, I'll begin with an individual with broad shoulders, literally and figuratively, who played a major role in the success of Demon Football in the late 90’s – former Demon WR Chris Pritchett.
We were recently contacted by Chris and Jennifer Pritchett, who now reside in Longview, Texas with their two little girls, Lanie who is 5 and Landry who is 3. Chris works for Alltel Wireless and Jen is the Executive Director at Artsview Children Theatre http://www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com.
As a clutch wide receiver, Chris played a pivotal role on the 1997 and 1998 back-to-back SLC Championship football teams at Northwestern State. Of course, calling Chris “clutch” is like calling Bigfoot “antisocial.” Chris was the clutchiest ... if the ball was thrown anywhere near him, Chris was going to come down with it. Chris was a member of arguably one of the strongest receiving cores in the conference’s history, and vied for receptions alongside several Demons who went on to receive NFL tryouts, including Pat Palmer (Washington Redskins), Eric Granger (NY Jets), and Nathan Black (Carolina Panthers). Chris also went to camp with the Seattle Seahawks and had opportunities to play in the CFL and AFL 2.
Chris is excited about the upcoming football season and the fact that it is the ten-year anniversary of the 1998 Southland Conference Championship Demons, coached by Sam Goodwin, who went 11-3 and made it to the national semi-finals in what was then known as Division I-AA (now FCS). In his words, he’s looking forward to a reunion of “the best team in NSU history.” Of course, that might be up for debate among faithful NSU alums and Demon Athletics fans (especially those from ’66 and thereabouts!), and given that I played on that ’98 team, perhaps I should recuse myself from this discussion! No doubt that both teams were formidable, and if there’s any edge, I’d have to say the ’98 team was probably better coached (‘98ers had Coach Black, after all!).
But be forewarned … I personally witnessed defenders fight with Chris for the ball dozens of times and come up completely empty. If he debates like he used to catch footballs, you might want to give Matlock a call (I'm sure he can be found here).
~will broussard
