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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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
Saturday, February 21, 2009
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
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
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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