If there was any justice, Demon basketball coach Mike McConathy would have a tire endorsement. The guy just loves to drive. Other than being with his family or coaching, I don't think there's much he enjoys more.
So it's not unusual that his friends and coworkers get cell phone calls from McConathy while he's steering toward his latest destination.
Now some of the driving is of course, work. Recruiting trips, business, and the like. Some of his driving is to go see friends. McConathy loves to visit folks he's met.
This week, he made the recruiting circuit through Mississippi's junior colleges, encountering former Demon guard Lem Jones at one stop.
Coach Mike called Wednesday evening about 9 to report he was cruising down I-49 past the Stonewall exit, about to cap an 1,100-mile trek.
So, you wanna be a college coach?
Friday, October 03, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
McGee hurt
Demon great Terrence McGee is on the shelf in the NFL for at least a week or two after hurting a knee in Sunday's comeback win over the hapless St. Louis Rams.
McGee, a starting cornerback for the unbeaten Buffalo Bills, has two interceptions already this year. He sustained a sprained knee in the first half of Sunday's game and is definitely out for a week and probably sidelined for two, according to a report on ESPN.
McGee, a starting cornerback for the unbeaten Buffalo Bills, has two interceptions already this year. He sustained a sprained knee in the first half of Sunday's game and is definitely out for a week and probably sidelined for two, according to a report on ESPN.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Kenta Bell making plans to visit
After flying more than 100,000 miles and competing in 23 meets, including the Olympic Games, NSU alumnus Kenta Bell is looking forward to Homecoming weekend.
He's been home in Atlanta (Ga.) with wife Lakeisha for more than a week now after his final Asian swing. His last competition was back in China, where he and other athletes were VIP guests at a swanky shindig hosted by China's superstar basketball giant, Yao Ming.
The Bells are planning to make it back to Natchitoches for Homecoming, and he plans to return in November to get in some training with NSU assistant coach Dean Johnson, whom Kenta considers his jumping guru. He said that he competes and trains by the WWDD rule -- "what would Dean do?"
Kenta also says the Bells are among those in the Atlanta metroplex making very careful plans about driving as there is a gasoline shortage there.
"But still, there's no place like America," he said. "Believe me, I know."
He's been home in Atlanta (Ga.) with wife Lakeisha for more than a week now after his final Asian swing. His last competition was back in China, where he and other athletes were VIP guests at a swanky shindig hosted by China's superstar basketball giant, Yao Ming.
The Bells are planning to make it back to Natchitoches for Homecoming, and he plans to return in November to get in some training with NSU assistant coach Dean Johnson, whom Kenta considers his jumping guru. He said that he competes and trains by the WWDD rule -- "what would Dean do?"
Kenta also says the Bells are among those in the Atlanta metroplex making very careful plans about driving as there is a gasoline shortage there.
"But still, there's no place like America," he said. "Believe me, I know."
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Turner brothers and the Cox family
A surprise visitor Saturday night was Demon football great Floyd Turner, who drove in from his Houston-area home with his younger brother Darin to enjoy the evening.
Floyd spent nine years in the NFL and now is in sales. His bubbly personality no doubt serves him well.
He said his home wasn't damaged in Hurricane Ike.
Floyd's Demon career started with a bang. Before his redshirt freshman year, he was hit by a train. Really. He foolishly tried to beat a train to a crossing in his hometown of Mansfield, in one of those cars that we all had coming out of high school. Fortunately the train wasn't moving fast and disaster was averted, although he got bruised up pretty good.
That wasn't as big a hit as his little brother took as a Demon player in a spring scrimmage.
Playing receiver, he was the victim for maybe the biggest lick I've ever seen, from The Terminator, dynamic Demon linebacker Andre' Carron. The end zone collision left Turner unconscious.
I told him, I thought Carron had killed him. He said, laughing, that he doesn't remember that one bit but he's been told about it a lot!
Also dropping by to say hi were Erik and Maryalyce Walsh Cox, one of my favorite NSU sports couples.
Erik joined our sports information office staff as a student, got the bug, was a tremendous graduate assistant, and during those years fell for a very smart, very pretty cross country and distance star on the track team.
Maryalyce remains one of our top Lady Demon runners. She's now an attorney based in Houston. They have two kids and were happy to report, despite being in a heavily wooded neighborhood, they had no significant storm damage either.
Erik spent a few years as the assistant SID to former NSU assistant SID Daucy Crizer, who was the SID czar at his alma mater, Lamar. He does some contract work and is SuperDad for the kids.
They are good luck charms for the Demons. Erik brings the NSU men's basketball team good luck in every SLC Tournament -- at least the last two as he's silently cheered for them while working on the official stat crew. It's odd how the Demon football team seems to bring out some of its best when the Cox family visits Turpin Stadium.
Floyd spent nine years in the NFL and now is in sales. His bubbly personality no doubt serves him well.
He said his home wasn't damaged in Hurricane Ike.
Floyd's Demon career started with a bang. Before his redshirt freshman year, he was hit by a train. Really. He foolishly tried to beat a train to a crossing in his hometown of Mansfield, in one of those cars that we all had coming out of high school. Fortunately the train wasn't moving fast and disaster was averted, although he got bruised up pretty good.
That wasn't as big a hit as his little brother took as a Demon player in a spring scrimmage.
Playing receiver, he was the victim for maybe the biggest lick I've ever seen, from The Terminator, dynamic Demon linebacker Andre' Carron. The end zone collision left Turner unconscious.
I told him, I thought Carron had killed him. He said, laughing, that he doesn't remember that one bit but he's been told about it a lot!
Also dropping by to say hi were Erik and Maryalyce Walsh Cox, one of my favorite NSU sports couples.
Erik joined our sports information office staff as a student, got the bug, was a tremendous graduate assistant, and during those years fell for a very smart, very pretty cross country and distance star on the track team.
Maryalyce remains one of our top Lady Demon runners. She's now an attorney based in Houston. They have two kids and were happy to report, despite being in a heavily wooded neighborhood, they had no significant storm damage either.
Erik spent a few years as the assistant SID to former NSU assistant SID Daucy Crizer, who was the SID czar at his alma mater, Lamar. He does some contract work and is SuperDad for the kids.
They are good luck charms for the Demons. Erik brings the NSU men's basketball team good luck in every SLC Tournament -- at least the last two as he's silently cheered for them while working on the official stat crew. It's odd how the Demon football team seems to bring out some of its best when the Cox family visits Turpin Stadium.
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