The NSU Football Team was in full pads and hitting at full speed this Saturday, March 7,for the first practice with full pads. The Demons came out 82 men strong to learn, prepare and get better under eagle eyed Coach Brad Laird and his staff. Special teams practiced while the offense and defense worked on 80 plays depicting various game scenarios. The players worked on their skills and continued to meld together into one team and one family.
The Demons also welcomed a special guest after practice. Former Demon Track and Football player Mark Duper came to visit and speak to the players. After his NSU career, Duper played for 11 seasons with the Miami Dolphins where he appeared in three Pro Bowls. He is also a member of both the N Club Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He originally came to NSU to compete with the track team, but tried out for football at the urging of his soon to be team mate, NSU, and American, legend Joe Delaney. Duper’s visit is an example of the tradition and continuity of NSU athletics, best exemplified by “The Link”, an iron link that players touch as they exit the field. It embodies the link between present day athletes and their predecessors.
Effort, attitude, being the best you can be day in and day out, these are the ingredients of success in football-and in life. The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to extend its best wishes to the Demons football family for victory as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fork ’em Demons!
