NATCHITOCHES – While the spotlight was on LSU coach and former Demon football standout Ed Orgeron last Friday night at Northwestern State's 2017 Legends Gala, a journeyman receiver with endless passion for his alma mater was reluctantly also one of the night's stars.

 

Natchitoches attorney Jack O. "Britt" Brittain Jr., a Demon footballer from 1974-78, was surprised with the annual Joe Delaney Distinguished Supporter Award. He was also representing the remarkable Brittain family, led by their late parents Jack and Anne Brittain, who were avid NSU supporters and donors throughout their adult lives, although neither graduated from the university.

 

Their oldest son has been a constant figure around NSU Athletics for more than a quarter-century, whether in the stands at football practices, cheering for all NSU teams at home and on the road, or playing a pivotal role in helping stage fundraising events around the calendar.

 

"Simply put, Britt is one of the most selfless and generous supporters ever for NSU Athletics.  He does so much for the NSU athletic program and often, his contributions are under the radar, which is the way he wants it to be," said director of athletics Greg Burke. "He will quickly acknowledge that his altruistic nature reflects family values ingrained in him at a very young age and also will credit his student-athlete experience as inspiring him to do as much as possible to pay forward all that he received during his college days. 

"For all that he has done through the years to help NSU student-athletes and coaches, being selected as the 2017 recipient of the Joe Delaney Distinguished Supporter Award is a fitting tribute to Britt and his family."

In a moving acceptance speech with several family members and former Demon teammates in the audience, Brittain characteristically spent time thanking others and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to help his alma mater.

Dr. Haley Taitano, executive director of the Demons Unlimited Foundation and associate athletics director, knew that Brittain would be profoundly touched by receiving an award named for his former Demon football teammate.

"I can't think of a more fitting award to honor Jack Brittain Jr. with than one bearing Joe Delaney's name. Jack has consistently devoted his time and efforts to NSU for various events that honor Joe Delaney like the Delaney Bowl, the Delaney ESPN 30 for 30 short film, raising money for the Joe Delaney Scholarship and more," she said.

"Jack almost feels like a coworker to me. He rarely misses an NSU event and always goes the extra mile to help us with whatever we need," said Taitano. "Britt, Jack Brittain Sr., and the entire Brittain family have been so generous to NSU athletics throughout the years, and this was just one small way we could show our appreciation to each of them, particularly an especially deserving Britt."

Brittain is the sixth winner of the award, presented in conjunction with the annual Legends event. The honor goes to a person who has a long record of engagement with NSU Athletics, with involvement that is remarkable even as compared to other outstanding supporters.

Former football receiver Jack Serpas, like Brittain a college teammate of Delaney's, was the initial recipient in 2012. Former Demon baseball infielder Mike Wilburn was the 2013 winner, followed by former football defensive lineman John Evans, then 2015 recipient Norm Hicks and last year's winner, Nicole Gray.