NATCHITOCHES - More than 900 track and field athletes will descend on Northwestern State University for the USA Track and Field Southern Association Championships on Saturday, June 13 at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex.

The Southern Association consists of track clubs from all over Louisiana and Mississippi.

Participants will be males and females from three different groups – the youth division (8-18), the open division (18-29) and the masters division (30-and-up). The one-day meet is expected to last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The championships are part of a summer series but isn't a qualifier for the USA Junior Olympics, which will come later this summer.

Rashad Hannah, the vice president of operations for the USATF Southern Association, said the organization usually hosts meets in South Louisiana, but it wants to branch out to other areas of the state.

"We know people like to run everywhere, and we knew about the facilities (NSU) has and the potential of bringing bigger meets there," Hannah said. "It's a chance to put Natchitoches in the spotlight, and a lot of athletes that Northwestern State has right now are (USATF) athletes.

"We're trying to grow the association, and a lot of people also don't know about our masters division. It's a beautiful sight to see a 70-year-old man competing in the hurdles and the high jump and an 80-year old woman running the (400 meters) right after all the little feet of 8-year-olds running on the track."

Some of those little feet pounding the Ledet Complex track could grow up to be Demons, and NSU track coach Mike Heimerman said hosting the meet provides positive exposure for the program and the University.

"It's huge because they can see our beautiful campus and this awesome complex," Heimerman said. "Maybe this puts a bug in their ear when it's time to pick a college."

And some of the numerous parents and family members in the stands may travel back to Natchitoches.

Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey said the town markets throughout Louisiana and into East Texas, but this meet could mean repeat visits from Mississippi residents.

"I love it when anybody comes to Natchitoches, but as a sports enthusiast, I especially love it when it's sports related," Posey said. "We've learned that when people come here once, they usually come back again and spread the word about Natchitoches.

"We've always tried to market to East Texas, but we're finding that more people from western Mississippi and southern Arkansas are coming, especially with the opening of (Interstate 49 to southern Arkansas). Our neighboring states are not that far away from (Natchitoches)."

Greg Burke, NSU Director of Athletics, said he appreciates the USATF for considering the University for its meets.

"For NSU, hosting this event is positive as it relates to image and recruiting, while the Natchitoches community also benefits in terms of economic impact and tourism," Burke said. "Natchitoches is the best small
town in the South, and any time visitors can be attracted here to experience the charm and tradition of our city has to be considered a positive."
 
"The profile of the NSU track and field program, and in fact, our overall athletic program, is certainly enhanced when an event of this caliber is held on our campus.  We look forward to a continuing relationship with the USATF."

The USATF is also leaving a little something behind. The organization will be donating performance boards to place near NSU's jump pit and infield so fans can immediately see an athlete's mark after a throw or jump.

"That's big for us so that our fans know what an athlete's mark is without having to wait," Heimerman said. "They can see it as soon as an athlete does it, and the (USATF) is bringing a bunch of those (boards) to donate.

"It's neat to have these championships up here, and we'd love to work out a long-term relationship with those guys."