Box Score NATCHITOCHES – Butch Ballard, an outstanding quarterback from 1974-76, was recognized as the Exchange Bank Demon Great of the Game as Northwestern State played host to Langston last Saturday night in Turpin Stadium.
Ballard rewrote the school record book and earned first team All-Louisiana honors his sophomore season, beating out current Louisiana Hall of Fame member Steve Foley, who played quarterback at Tulane and became an All-Pro safety for the Denver Broncos. 
 
During that season, Ballard completed 140 passes for 1,668 yards and three touchdowns.  His 140 completions currently ranks third on the NSU all-time single-season records list and was a school record at the time.
 
A native of Bogalusa who originally attended Mississippi State, Ballard is the only first team All-Louisiana quarterback to hail from Northwestern. 
 
Along with his All-Louisiana honor, Ballard also earned first team All-Gulf South Conference and All-American honorable mention accolades.  He was also named the team captain and most valuable player during his career.
 
Ballard was enshrined in the university's Graduate N Club Hall of Fame in 2004, and was named to the Top 100 Demon Football Players of the Century in 2007 when Northwestern celebrated its centennial football season.

Ballard has been an active supporter of NSU and NSU athletics during a successful business career.
 
Dr. William Broussard, a two-time All-America center in 1998 and 1999, was this year's first Demon Great of the Game.

The Demon Great of the Game, presented by Exchange Bank and Trust of Natchitoches, spotlights some of the most outstanding performers in the 105-year history of NSU football. Exchange Bank has been a key supporter of NSU Athletics throughout its long history as the oldest financial institution in Natchitoches.