This afternoon, 2008 Demon football seniors with professional football aspirations are working out for pro scouts at Turpin Stadium.
A Demon great who has been in the NFL for the last three years is joining them.
Cornerback David Pittman, a third-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, will be taking part in the passing drills to provide a high caliber of coverage against receiving hopefuls Dudley Guice Jr., tight end Kedrin Seastrunk and any other players, from NSU or other schools, who take part.
Pittman was let go at the outset of the regular season last fall by Baltimore. He was signed by New Orleans and spent a few weeks in Saints camp during the season, then was a late season pickup by the Houston Texans.
He is working out in Dallas under the direction of former Olympic sprinter Jon Drummond. Pitt, who graduated with a business degree from NSU in May 2006, says in his perfect world, NFL teams would first add players from their market areas. He grew up within an hour of New Orleans in Gramercy, and played at Lutcher, and would LOVE to play for the Saints. But it is a business, as he fully understands. He's looking for the right fit for him next season.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Unsung but not unappreciated
One of the great strengths of Northwestern State athletics is the incredible support provided by people who just love NSU. Two of those are parents of former athletes, Natchitoches residents Layne Miller and Hunter Mullican.
Layne's daughter Lauren (softball) and Hunter's son Klent (baseball) played for NSU briefly, but their parents were long before avidly supportive of all Demon and Lady Demon sports. Layne and Hunter -- who by the way was a safety on the football team at Stephen F. Austin back in his day -- are among those most likely to be manning a grill cooking for a team or at an NSU event.
This weekend, they were using their carpentry skill to the benefit of the softball program. They are building a left field pavillion for the Outfield Club to replace the 10-year-old stands that stood just inside the left field foul pole.
If you didn't notice, it's been a bit cold this weekend. But Layne showed up Sunday in shorts and a sweatshirt while normal humans were wearing parka-like jackets and other winter gear.
"I'll be warm enough in a little bit," he said, chuckling.
They don't come any finer than Layne Miller and Hunter Mullican. Just ask any NSU coach and most NSU student-athletes past and present.
Layne's daughter Lauren (softball) and Hunter's son Klent (baseball) played for NSU briefly, but their parents were long before avidly supportive of all Demon and Lady Demon sports. Layne and Hunter -- who by the way was a safety on the football team at Stephen F. Austin back in his day -- are among those most likely to be manning a grill cooking for a team or at an NSU event.
This weekend, they were using their carpentry skill to the benefit of the softball program. They are building a left field pavillion for the Outfield Club to replace the 10-year-old stands that stood just inside the left field foul pole.
If you didn't notice, it's been a bit cold this weekend. But Layne showed up Sunday in shorts and a sweatshirt while normal humans were wearing parka-like jackets and other winter gear.
"I'll be warm enough in a little bit," he said, chuckling.
They don't come any finer than Layne Miller and Hunter Mullican. Just ask any NSU coach and most NSU student-athletes past and present.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Buzz on Buzz with big game tonight
We'll be watching our Lady Demons on TV (SLC TV) tonight, or rooting for the Demons in Prather Coliseum or at Brown-Stroud Field, but if you get a chance check out former NSU assistant coach Buzz Williams and his Marquette team in their ESPN-televised matchup with U-Conn.
Buzz was on coach Mike McConathy's first NSU staff in 1999-2000 along with current McNeese head coach Dave Simmons.
Buzz was the spotlight feature story today in the USA Today sports section. Anyone who knew him when he was here will smile at the discriptionn of his obsessive-compulsive personalty traits.
The guy had the most unique handwriting, kind of a backwards leaning Egyptian-appearing script, you'd ever want to see. But it did stand out to anyone who got a note from Buzz, who stays in touch with a few friends from NSU even today.
Buzz was on coach Mike McConathy's first NSU staff in 1999-2000 along with current McNeese head coach Dave Simmons.
Buzz was the spotlight feature story today in the USA Today sports section. Anyone who knew him when he was here will smile at the discriptionn of his obsessive-compulsive personalty traits.
The guy had the most unique handwriting, kind of a backwards leaning Egyptian-appearing script, you'd ever want to see. But it did stand out to anyone who got a note from Buzz, who stays in touch with a few friends from NSU even today.
That's different
On the road in San Antonio with the Lady Demon basketball team for the first time since the Southland Conference went to mirror scheduling, and it's been interesting after years of traveling with the men's team.
Can't remember ever seeing a copy of People magazine on a trip with the men, except in an airport gift shop.
Don't think the guys would have chosen "The Secret Life of Bees" or even "Madagascar 2" as movies to watch, but I saw both today. Probably would have seen the latter eventually, might not have ever watched the former, enjoyed both in different ways.
One constant between the two programs - it's still 8 hours to San Antonio. More relevant, it's 8 hours back to Natchitoches after tomorrow night's game. The glamour of the road!
Doug Ireland, SID
Can't remember ever seeing a copy of People magazine on a trip with the men, except in an airport gift shop.
Don't think the guys would have chosen "The Secret Life of Bees" or even "Madagascar 2" as movies to watch, but I saw both today. Probably would have seen the latter eventually, might not have ever watched the former, enjoyed both in different ways.
One constant between the two programs - it's still 8 hours to San Antonio. More relevant, it's 8 hours back to Natchitoches after tomorrow night's game. The glamour of the road!
Doug Ireland, SID
Monday, February 23, 2009
Poignant story on the Werners
David McCollum, sports editor of the Conway (Ark.) Log Cabin Democrat newspaper, told us more than we knew about how Dan and Kim Werner met. Kim passed away early this month, just a couple of weeks after Dan had accepted the offensive coordinator's job at NSU. For the rest of the story, check the link:
http://www.thecabin.net/stories/022209/spo_0222090029.shtml
http://www.thecabin.net/stories/022209/spo_0222090029.shtml
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