NATCHITOCHES – For the 13^th consecutive year, Northwestern State's football players will commemorate the annual "Chris Waddell Day" observance on Wednesday, but this year, his cousin will join the Demons in a school visit.
NSU freshman Jourdan Waddell will accompany NSU players and coaches to the NSU Elementary Lab School, one of four school visits by the Demon football team Wednesday.

The football team members will pass along positive messages and encouragement, reflecting the impact that Waddell had on teammates and others on campus during his all-too-short time at NSU in 2003-04. 

Waddell was a highly-respected redshirt freshman offensive lineman from New Orleans-Holy Cross High School who passed away suddenly March 1, 2004, the day before he was to have begun his first spring practice with the Demons. He was an invited walk-on who practiced and worked out with the varsity team as a true freshman in preseason and during the 2003 season. An unselfish, hard-working teammate and a serious student, Waddell conducted himself in a way that reflected positively on his teammates and his family.
The 2004 Demons won the Southland Conference championship.

The annual "Chris Waddell Day" began exactly a year after he passed away, March 1, 2005, with a series of activities at schools and community centers involving the Demons with area children.
Along with the 12:30 visit to the NSU Elementary Lab School, the NSU football squad will send players and coaches to St. Mary's School at 12:45, Weaver Elementary at 1:15 and L.P. Vaughn Elementary at 1:30.

Waddell is also remembered with a logo featuring his jersey number and name on the field at NSU's Turpin Stadium, and with a scholarship in his name awarded each year to a walk-on player.