NATCHITOCHES – At some point today, Dr. William Broussard will hand his phone to his wife, Kendra, as they celebrate their 20^th wedding anniversary.
 
What Kendra Broussard, a former Northwestern State volleyball player, will see is not only an anniversary gift but also part of a legacy the couple will ensure for future student-athletes who follow the Broussards at their alma mater – the William '00 and Kendra '00 Broussard Athletic Endowment.
 
"Northwestern State Athletics has been an enormous part of our lives," said William Broussard, a two-time All-American offensive lineman and a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete who later worked in athletic administration at NSU. "We met as student-athletes almost 25 years ago and continue to maintain friendships with fellow student-athletes and folks we met both during our time studying there and later when we both returned to work at NSU.
 
"This commitment is both a measure of our devotion as well as a challenge to all alumni to give what they can to support the institution. NSU is a leader in the Southland and the state of Louisiana year in and year out in graduating student-athletes, and that's what matters the most to us. The Louisiana Scholars College provides a unique opportunity to recruit standout student-athletes, and as the first football player to graduate from there in 2000, I'm proud to have seen that tradition continue."
 
The William '00 and Kendra '00 Broussard Athletic Endowment joins the list of athletic scholarships developed through the Perpetually Purple program. The goal of the Perpetually Purple drive, which is managed by the Demons Unlimited Foundation (DUF), is to grow Northwestern State's athletic endowment – through outright donations or deferred gifts – to more than $5 million.
 
The Broussards' endowment serves as a multi-pronged example for other former NSU student-athletes in both in action and in scope.
 
First, William Broussard designated the DUF as a beneficiary of his retirement to fund the endowment. Secondly, he reiterated the hope his decision spurs on similar action from his and Kendra's former NSU teammates – a thought that dovetails with the "Light the Fire" theme Northwestern State athletics has embraced for the 2021-22 athletic calendar.
 
"We are so appreciative to Will and Kendra for their generous and continued support of their alma mater," Deputy Athletic Director Dr. Haley Taitano said. "Rather than gifting each other with a traditional 20^th anniversary gift, they chose to give back to the place where they met and perpetuate a legacy of philanthropy geared towards enhancing the lives of future generations of Demons.
 
"Having served previously as the associate athletic director here at NSU, Will has an in depth and personal understanding of the need for our Perpetually Purple Program to continue to grow, and the impact these donations have on our current student-athletes. I just appreciate that he's never forgotten where he came from and wants to honor his and his wife's time spent here in this way."
 
Added NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke: "This generous expression of gratitude on the part of Will and Kendra is impactful and inspirational. I have been blessed to know them since their days as student-athletes and it is not a bit surprising that they would want to support their alma mater in this manner.
 
"To know that NSU influenced them to the point of creatively establishing a vehicle through which an endowed scholarship in their names could be established is exemplary. As one who has worked in higher education and most notably in the development field, Will understands the value of 'giving back.' Furthermore, creative gifts like this indicate that alumni of any age have the capability to in a meaningful way support their alma mater."
 
Earnings from the 69 permanently endowed funds under the Perpetually Purple umbrella that comprise the current $2.1 million endowment total are utilized to balance the Athletic Department's annual scholarship budget.
 
A fundamental goal of the initial push is to reach the $5 million milestone, allowing the endowment to completely underwrite book scholarships for all NSU student-athletes, an expense currently paid by annual gifts to the DUF, he said. Annual gift revenues will then be redirected to more significantly enhance facilities, bolster recruiting budgets, retain or hire outstanding coaches, and offset ever-increasing scholarship costs.

The endowment principle remains intact for perpetuity with a maximum of five percent interest income used for the intent designated by the donor who establishes the fund.
 
To view a complete list of our athletic endowments, visit www.nsudemons.com/endowments. For more information on our Perpetually Purple Program, or to establish an endowment, contact Dr. Haley Taitano at blounth@nsula.edu or 318-357-4278.