What a turnout of former Demon football players this past weekend as the 100th anniversary of football at NSU officially began!!!

For me, the biggest disappointment was not having enough time to spend with each Demon alumnus who returned to campus. To spend just 30 minutes catching up with each of them, though, would have taken 3-4 days!

In reality, I had just a three-hour window at the pre-game tailgate party, prior to the season opening win over Henderson State, to mix and mingle. Still, it was great to see so many familiar faces and most importantly, I know they enjoyed seeing each other and reliving the many, many great moments which are a part of the great NSU football tradition.

As I reflect on those who returned, many thoughts come to mind ? Randy Hilliard hasn’t lost that incredible smile and also may have won the “style” award with his sporty combo complete with a hat reminiscent of the Bear Bryant hounds tooth model .....Ed “Top Cat” Moses has done well for himself in the legal profession....how about Warren Griffith, who had just flown in from his job in Singapore and drive from Florida to be here.....under the “I am feeling older” category, there was John Kulakowski (1984-87) along with his daughter, Rachel, now an NSU freshman....Sidney Thornton, with the same determination with which he carried the football, cast aside health issues to attend.....the first two former players to register happened to be the kicking combination from the 1988 championship team, punter Mark Contreras and place kicker Keith Hodnett....Rob Robertson’s three-year old son seemed to be having the time of his young life....Randy Bullock, now a high school athletic director, was accompanied by former Demon softball player and his wife, the former Robin Gatto, who also happens to be his boss as she is an assistant superintendent in the same school district....Ted Simon was ecstatic that I finally pronounced his last name correctly (“See-moan”)....it was just plain nice seeing Academic All-American and former NSU athletic staff member John Dippel and his wife, Christi....Freddie Wallace hasn’t changed a lick and neither has Andre “The Terminator” Carron so it must be a linebacker thing....and, of course, Sam Goodwin’s presence made it an even more special day.

Also of special note is the number of families who returned to represent a former player, including several Top 100 players or Honorary Captains, who are deceased.

I could go on and on and on but bottom line is that this day served as a great opportunity to galvanize an important group of players who have done so much for NSU. I also should add that don’t be surprised if this gathering does not become an annual event!