Last October, I packed up all of my belongings in Auburn, Ala., and headed to Natchitoches to be the new Assistant Sports Information Director here at Northwestern State. I, like many other out-of-staters, could only relate Natchitoches to the movie ?€œSteel Magnolias.?€ť Of course, now Oprah?€™s recent visit has drawn even more attention to the small charming town!

Anyone who works or is involved in collegiate athletics knows how hectic a move like this can be in the middle of the fall sports season. I remember pulling a U-HAUL into town and getting lost in downtown (how did I do that?) because the roads were closed for a post-game ?€œBoogie on the Bricks?€ť celebration.

Living in the vacant room in the Athletic Fieldhouse for the first week of the job, I really wasn?€™t quite sure what I was getting into. I didn?€™t know anyone and can remember thinking ?€œWhat is this place going to be like compared to Auburn (where I worked for a year out of college) and Baylor (my alma mater).?€ť

But, as I wind up my 300-day stint on the athletic department staff here, I can honestly say that it has been one great ride. I recently took a job at Kansas State as Assistant Sports Information Director and just wanted to drop a few lines about Northwestern and its people.

First, the family atmosphere at NSU really caught my eye. Not many places can you say the head football and basketball coaches and the athletic director can be seen regularly out at lunch together. The entire athletic staff takes time to have cookouts a couple of times a semester so everyone can fellowship with each other and get to know their co-workers on a more social and personal basis. That doesn?€™t happen everywhere.

The Demon fans, not that it was too surprising to me, are extremely loyal. The same fans that are seen cooking and tailgating in the fall at football games can be seen doing the same at basketball games in the winter and baseball and softball games in the spring.

How many other schools would allow me to do a baseball radio broadcast with my dad? This baseball season, instead of doing a whole series on the radio by myself, my father drove to numerous games and handled the color commentary duties in the booth. It was a lot of fun for both of us and hopefully the listeners thought the same!

Now, I want to be a little more specific and take time to thank some individuals who have made my stay here more memorable and meaningful.

Cathy Martin, administrative assistant in the SID office, from day one, you took me in and treated me just like family and I truly thank you for that. If it was a home-cooked meal every once in a while (since I am no chef) or taking care of me when I was under the weather, you and your family were always there for me. I will truly miss you!

Doug Ireland, thanks for giving me the chance to further my career here. I know I learned a lot from working here and for you. I have been very lucky in my short career to work for good people and you are no different. Thanks!

Thanks to all of the wonderful coaches here at Northwestern, who helped make my job a little easier. Mitch, Travis and J.P. (baseball), you guys made me feel welcome and I enjoyed getting to know you all. Good luck this season and maybe I will see you all in 2005!

Coach Smith and the rest of the Lady Demon basketball staff, you all were the first group that I traveled with on a consistent basis and the trip to Las Vegas was chalked full of good times and memories (and even a little basketball).

Eileen Schmidt (softball), you and I came to Northwestern about the same time and from the same background (SEC school) so I knew we would get along great. Thanks for being a good friend and even cooking a few meals for me too!! (When Cathy wasn?€™t)

Jerry Rushing (ticket manager), you and your wife Karla were also a big part of my time in Natchitoches. From going to lunch practically every day, to playing city league softball every week, to even making a few road trips, your friendship is one of the many reasons that makes it hard to leave.

Stacy Morgan, thank you for volunteering your time to help me with game day management and working on the stat crew. You saved me a few times in football and basketball when I was still learning the ropes. I couldn't have done it without you!

To all of the other staff members, Greg Burke, Charlie Vienne, Jamie Matherne, Jennifer Downs, Roxanne Freeman, Karen Dodd, Dustin Eubanks, Chucky Bourg, Donnie Cox, Gerri Lacour, Elaine Clark, Mandy Wamsley, and all of the other coaches, trainers and managers, thanks for all that you guys did for me and helped me with during the past year.

And, how could I forget Harris Wilson or, Coach Black. Black, thanks for helping with faxing after late games and keeping us on our toes here in the office. We might not have made it to a few meetings or events if it wasn?€™t for you calling the morning of or coming by and reminding us. Get those fingers ready for another year of working the scoreboard (or ?€œBlack Board?€ť as we called it) at home baseball games.

Hopefully after reading this you can see some of the reasons that make Northwestern a very special place with special people. I have made a lot of lasting friendships here and cherish every one of them.

So, thanks again for making my time here enjoyable and meaningful and I wish you all nothing but the best this season and many seasons to come.

Fork-Em Demons!

Kenny Lannou