Heart felt Tweet tribute

What happened prior to the Northwestern State-Lamar women's basketball game brought a tear to many people's eyes in attendance, including mine.

Tweet Williams, a junior point guard from Spring, Texas, was diagnosed with a heart condition prior to the start of the season.  It's a condition (irregular heartbeat) that is being treated and she'll live a normal life. 

However, that condition has cut short her basketball career.  So on Saturday, head coach Jennifer Graf drew up a plan where she could get one more start as a Lady Demon in a "mock" start prior to the tip.

Lamar's coach agreed to it as did the officials.

So Tweet was announced in the starting lineup and took the floor one last time.

The two teams tipped off.  Tweet's twin sister, Brittney Williams, a forward for the Lady Cardinals, tipped the ball to Tweet as she dribbled it down the floor right before the officials halted play.  Tweet and Brittney exchanged hugs first then everyone else followed.

She then received a standing ovation from the crowd as she left the floor.

Matthew Bonnette

NSU Sports Information

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

Good stuff on Trey Gilder

Looks like the NBA Draft in June might include former NSU Demon Trey Gilder, who is lighting up the NBA Developmental League for the Colorado 14ers.

Check this link for an independent perspective, and a funny promotional video involving Trey:

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2009/2/18/763647/14er-trey-gilder-draft-eli