Kevin’s Gallery
Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum was the place to be February 1 as the NSU men’s and women’s basketball teams faced off against the University of Central Arkansas Bears. The busy day featured basketball action, performing spirit groups, and a hard fought chili cookoff as contentious as anything happening on the hardwood.
The NSU Pom-Line holds a clinic for area youngsters twice a year during football and basketball seasons. A group of young ladies from area schools spent a fun morning with the pom-line and showed off their new skills to the crowd during a halftime show. As always, the Purple Haze Pep Band showed no mercy to the opposing team or errant referees.
The Battle for the Paddle has become an eagerly awaited annual tradition in Natchitoches. The popular chili cookoff featured 12 teams this year, including several local businesses, political candidates, the Natchitoches Fire Department, District Attorney, and community groups. The Cane River National Heritage Area served up a chili made from 200 year old historical recipes, while Sodexo’s entry featured alligator with a curry flavor. Hungry Demon fans thronged the hallways of Prather where they sampled the various teams’ chili and voted for their favorites. The event is a popular fundraiser for the Demons Unlimited Foundation. The Foundation assists the NSU Athletic Department in a number of ways, including financing athletic scholarships. This year, the proceeds from the competition are also being shared with the American Cancer Society. This year’s competition was won by Maglieaux’s Restaurant.
NSU sports are quality family fun for a very modest price.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the event’s photography. Copy protection is off and anyone may download any they wish. If you do see a photograph you like, please consider a donation to the Demons Unlimited Foundation or to the American Cancer Society. Let’s help a few young men and women get through college, or help give some extra birthdays to those fighting cancer!
