Friday, February 20, 2009

Visits from Stephanie Shaw Locke, Joe Fields

Didn't have to leave the office today to visit with two former NSU student-athletes, Stephanie Shaw Locke (women's basketball, 1992-96 player, 1997-99 coach) and Joseph (we knew him as Joe) Fields (football, 1999-2001, defensive lineman).

Stephanie was first through, on campus driving a bus for a school trip from DeSoto Parish, where she teaches and coaches. We enjoyed looking through her player file at the old hairstyles and catching up on teammates like Nancy Hebert, Shirlynda Williams, Joskeen Garner and more, along with players she coached like Jamila Newman, and her coaches, James Smith and Wendy Schuller.

She has two daughters, 8 and 4, with hubby Chris. Yes, they are ball players. One is quiet like Chris, the other bubbly like Steph.

Joe was part of a sales team from Richo Americas Corp. visiting campus to consider printing options for the university. He is Branch Sales Manager in Baton Rouge.

He had run into Coach Bradley Dale Peveto in Baton Rouge recently and enjoyed the visit, and was trying to connect with his old Demon teammate, Dr. William Broussard, while on campus.

(I also need to get in a long overdue mention of a great visit last fall with Randy Bullock, who has left coaching and athletic administration in Texas and is a regional representative for FieldTurf. "Bull" has always been one of my favorites, especially after he married softball shortstop Robin Gatto, who is doing great in the administrative field in their central Texas school district.)

Seeing folks like those makes every long day and late night worthwhile. They are doing great in life and they have great pride in Northwestern. Talk about a feel good Friday morning, this was one.

Doug Ireland, SID

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