One of Northwestern State’s and Natchitoches’ biggest advocates is the first Exchange Bank and Trust Demon Great of the Game for the 2023 season.
The late Jack Brittain Jr. was a four-year letterman for Northwestern State, playing defensive back, fullback and wide receiver, from 1974-78 with a redshirt season included.
Following his playing career and graduation from Northwestern State, Brittain earned his law degree in 1982 and became a key cog in local and state politics. A tireless promoter of Natchitoches and of his alma mater, Brittain also supported numerous Northwestern State endeavors both athletically and university-related.
The grandson of Ora G. Williams, who co-founded the NSU chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority in 1929, Brittain was honored by the chapter with the creation of the Jack “Britt” Brittain Service Award in the early part of this century.
His legal and political expertise allowed him to dispense advice to university administration at all levels while he gave his time and money to a plethora of Northwestern State fund-raisers and charitable acts.
Brittain also was the sideline reporter for the Demon Sports Network from 1997-2014 and was awarded the 2013 N-Club Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. Brittain’s work with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, which holds its annual convention in Natchitoches each summer, earned him lifetime membership and the organization’s Mac Russo Award, which is given to an individual who “contributes to the progress and the ideals of the LSWA,” in 2017.
A teammate of the late Joe Delaney, Brittain played a pivotal role in the filming of the ESPN short film, “Delaney,” which premiered in 2015. Brittain’s relationship with Delaney was a cherished memory for Brittain, who also represented NSU at various Kansas City Chiefs functions honoring Delaney, who died 40 years ago while trying to rescue three drowning children in Monroe.
Following his death in July, the Jack Brittain Junior Memorial Scholarship, benefitting a Northwestern State female student-athlete, was established in his honor. The scholarship already has reached the endowed mark and is still receiving donations. For information on how to donate, visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/nsujack.
The Exchange Bank and Trust Demon Great of the Game program is in its second decade of honoring former Northwestern State student-athletes and staff members. Exchange Bank and Trust has been a key supporter of NSU Athletics throughout its long history as the oldest financial institution in Louisiana.
