NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State football team is "All In" for the 2020 season and the Demons want you to stand alongside them.
 
Using the "Triple B Invitational" Golf Tournament on March 20 as a launch point, the NSU football program will embark on a fund-raising initiative to help underwrite expenses for a summer strength and conditioning program, along with recruiting and other needs. All funds raised will be dedicated to the "Champions Circle," which is the football program's fund-raising arm of the Demons Unlimited Foundation.
 
Demon Head Coach Brad Laird points to the months of June and July as being pivotal in maximizing what the coaches hope to accomplish in August camp. The fact that NSU's plays three of its first four games at home in 2020 accentuates the value of the summer program. Laird also notes that having football student-athletes on campus in June and July has become a common practice among Division I programs, including those in the Southland Conference.
 
"NCAA rules have changed to the point of allowing football student-athletes to do more than just strength and conditioning prior to preseason camp and it is important the we maximize that opportunity," said Laird. "Meeting with coaches about schemes and having organized drills using a football can really put you as a program ahead of the curve come August."
 
The NSU Athletic Department is billing March 20 as "All In Giving Day," an event similar to the annual Giving Tuesday fundraisers held by NSU Athletics each November. In addition to the golf tournament and online silent auction, supporters can donate directly to the cause by texting "NSUALLIN" to 71777. Message and data rates may apply for text donations. Donations can also be directly made to football at nsudemons.com/allin.
 
NSU Head Football Coach Brad Laird estimates that it will take approximately $190,000 to adequately cover summer program costs. To date, through the support of the athletic department, slightly over $100,000 of that amount is in place. The plan is to have 85 players on campus in June and July and with a balance of $85,000 needed to cover the summer program cost, individuals are encouraged to individually or collaboratively with others sponsor a player for $1,000.
 
"Summer program funds will provide summer school tuition, fees, books, meals and housing during those crucial months of preparation for the 2020 football season. It also will give our players the financial freedom to focus on their academics and their summer conditioning at a time when establishing and building on our team culture is critical to our future success," added Laird.
 
NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke, who has already made a personal contribution to the cause, also emphasized the value of the summer program while also noting that other financial and facility-related efforts are in the works to enhance the football program.
 
"Coach Laird and his staff have pointed to the summer program as the number one priority towards positioning the team to challenge for a conference title and a postseason berth, so it is imperative that we all get behind this. We essentially need 85 individuals to step forward and commit to sponsoring a player for the summer program. I have no doubt that our supporters and football alumni will respond," said Burke.
 
Sponsorships and spots remain open for the Triple B Invitational at five levels: Hall of Fame ($1,000), All-American ($450), All-Conference ($400), Scholarship Player ($125) and Walk-On ($100). The event begins with an 11 a.m. check-in at Northwestern Hills Golf Course and includes free food and drinks and there will be awards presented afterward. There also will be a post-tournament social at Cane River Brewery. For more information about the golf tournament please visit nsudemons.com/tripleb. The golf tournament will be coupled with an online silent auction that will include trips and autographed memorabilia from Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. The auction will remain open through 6 p.m. March 22, the day after the 31^st annual Joe Delaney Bowl spring football game. To participate in the silent auction, go to nsudemons.com/footballauction.