This is part of a series catching Northwestern State fans up on the whereabouts of former NSU student-athletes, coaches and staff members.

Name: Lason Perkins

Current Professional Position: Head Coach at Cary Academy in Cary, N.C.

Role/Time at Northwestern State: Manager on the men's basketball team in 1985 and 1988

Career path since leaving NSU: I left NSU and Louisiana in 1989 to move to North Carolina with my wife. I coached AAU ball and helped out at Cary High School. Hired as a full-time assistant, and we won a state title three years later. I've been an assistant coach at three different schools in the area, including the interim head coach at Chapel Hill High. I've been the head coach at Cary Academy now for four years.

What is your most memorable moment while at NSU?: The biggest impression that NSU and Natchitoches left on me was that this was the place where I gained my confidence. Coach Beasley and Bell put their trust in me, allowed me to do things in practice, and that let me know that I do this as a profession.

Who is someone you met or connected with at NSU with whom you have stayed connected?: Roman Banks was a player when I was on staff, and I reach out to him and we talk occasionally. I've stayed in touch with guys like Billy Kennedy and Patrick Wesley, different guys like that. Connected with several on LinkedIn. We'll shoot emails back and forth. I still stay in touch with Coach Dan Bell.