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N-Club
Hall of Fame Nomination Information
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Nomination Deadline is June13.
| Football |
Mike Crow (1983-86)
Mike Funches (1997-98)
Steve Gaspard (1966-69) |
Derrick Johnese (2002-04)
John Kelly (1970-73)
Warren Patterson (1995-98) |
Michael "Red" Richardson (1981-84)
Rob Robertson (1994-97)
Larry Robinson (1980-84)
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Mitch Rowe (1986-89)
Carlos Treadway (1988-92)
Toby Zeigler (2002-05) |
| Men's Basketball |
Ryan Bundy (1995-98)
Josh Hancock (1997-2001) |
Tyrone Mitchell (200
Earnest Reliford (1977-82)2-06) |
Jermaine Spencer (2002-07)
Chris Thompson (1999-2001) |
Jermaine Wallace (2002-06) |
| Women's Basketball |
| Amanda Bennett (2001-05) |
Louise Chase (1996-2000) |
Stephanie Washington (1979-83) |
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| Soccer |
| Stephanie Miller (2002-05) |
Heather Penico (2002-05) |
Tara Powasnick (2002-05) |
Katie Priest (2001-04) |
| Tennis |
| Nanette Beasley Varela (1979-81) |
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| Baseball |
Brad Hanson (2001-02)
Gary Johnson (1964-67) |
David Reynolds (1983-85) |
Jason Slanina (1999-2002) |
Anatole Vincent (2002-03) |
| Softball |
Amanda Glenn (2004-07)
Cindy Leggett (1997-2000) |
Gay McNutt (Coach, 1995-2000)
Jennifer Owens (1996-98) |
Claudia Percle (1990-92)
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Amber Welker (1997-2000) |
Mike Crow (football, 1983-86) – Still holds career records for punts (276) and punt yards (11,028) while handling the role for four seasons under coach Sam Goodwin … was first-team All-Gulf Star Conference and All-Louisiana as a junior with a 42.4 average, second-team All-Louisiana and All-Gulf Star as a senior (39.7 average) … NSU led FCS in net punting (40.4) in 1985 … holds single-season records with 74 punts in 1984 and 2,929 yards in 1985 … career average was 39.95, just behind school record 40.3 by Leo Clement from 1980-82 … had a long of 68 as a freshman … famously completed an 86-yard TD pass to John Stephens on a fake punt to help beat McNeese, one of three completions in his career.
Mike Funches (football, 1997-98) – All-Southland offensive tackle as a senior in 1998, after being the Demons’ top offensive lineman in two Southland championship seasons following junior college … first-team All-Louisiana in 1998 as the Demons reached the national semifinals … played tackle and guard as a junior … chosen among the Top 100 Demon Football Players selected in the 2007 centennial celebration of NSU football.
Steve Gaspard (football, 1966-69) – Tight end from Cottonport set the Demons’ career receptions record with 85, beginning with 31 (477 yards, 5 TDs) as a freshman for the undefeated 1966 team … that was one off the team lead by All-American two-way star Al Dodd … topped the Gulf States Conference freshmen in catches … 24-365, 3 TDs as a junior in 1968 … led 1969 team with 22 catches (280 yards, 2 TDs) … held the career receptions mark for six years, until wideout Mike Almond broke it … voted by players as the 1969 team captain.
Derrick Johnese (football, 2002-04) – A physical tailback with breakaway speed, Johnese set the Demons’ career scoring record (212 points, still best by a non-kicker), touchdowns mark (34, still his 20 years later) and is fourth all-time in rushing yards (3,085) despite splitting time with Shelton Sampson – they are tied for 7th in career rushing attempts (543) ...Johnese ranks 9th in career all-purpose yards (3,371) ... Southland Offensive Player of the Year in the 2004 SLC championship season, and was All-SLC first team in 2002 (playoff season) and 2004 (another playoff season) ... 14 TDs in 2002 is second in school history, 11 in 2003 is 7th ... 90 points in 2002 is second at NSU ... 219 attempts in 2002 is 6th ... 1,153 rushing yards in 2004 is 5th ... selected for Top 100 Demon Football Players of All-Time roster in 2007 centennial season.
John Kelly (football, 1970-73) – A walk-on who quickly earned a scholarship as a safety, Kelly was a two-time first-team All-Louisiana selection and a two-time all-conference pick (first team as a senior) ... he was also a two-year permanent team captain selection ... Kelly had 7 interceptions in both his junior and senior seasons, the second-highest season total in school history ... he and Al Dodd are the only players to have at least 7 pickoffs in at least two seasons ... helped lead the 1972 Demons to the Gulf South Conference championship and an 8-2 record ... played five years of semi-pro football and made 28 career interceptions.
Warren Patterson (football, 1995-98) – Ranks among NSU passing leaders as the starter on the 1997 Southland champion and, when not injured, on the 1998 Demons’ squad that made the FCS semifinals in its second straight playoff appearance … threw for 3,851 yards (then fourth, now eighth in school history) and 29 TDs (then second, now fourth all-time) in his career … tossed 12 TDs (seventh all-time) in nine regular-season games in 1998, including 4 (tying a school record, broken in 2014) vs. Henderson State.
Michael “Red” Richardson (football, 1981-84) – His NCAA-record 5-interception game vs. Southeastern in1983 included the longest return in school history (97 yards). Richardson started for the 1984 Gulf Star Conference co-champions, earning All-GSC honors for a second straight season. He posted career totals of 273 tackles, 20 interceptions, 26 pass breakups and two blocked punts. The Demons were not in a conference in his first two seasons … chosen for Top 100 Demon Players of All-Time.
Rob Robertson (football, 1994-97)– Demon fullback whose modest stats (724 career rushing yards, 9 TDs; 251 yards, 4 TDs as a senior) don’t reflect his key role on the 1997 Southland Conference co-championship team that reached the FCS playoffs … blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers (Clarence Matthews, Anthony Williams, Ronnie Powell) … as an undrafted free agent, made the Baltimore Ravens roster in 1998 and 1999, was injured, ultimately ending his career … in 2019 became Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Region 12 Manager for Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, and also assumed a role with the Ravens in their Alumni Relations department … named one of 13 honorary captains on the Demons’ all-century team in the 2007 centennial celebration as a tribute to his leadership and value to his teams.
Larry Robinson (football, 1980-84) – A four-year starter as an outside linebacker, the 1984 second-team All-Gulf Star Conference pick (56 tackles, 1 interception, 2 sacks) helped the Demons win the GSC championship and shut out Southern Mississippi 22-0 … that defense developed the Purple Swarm nickname and led FCS (then Division I-AA) in scoring defense (9.0 ppg) … the 5-9, 191-pounder had 188 career tackles, 6 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups in 39 games as a Demon … Robinson reached the NFL as a strong safety, going to camp in 1985 and 1986 with the Miami Dolphins and lasting into the 1987 season with the New York Jets, where he appeared in three regular-season games.
Mitch Rowe (football, 1986-89) – Under-recognized defensive tackle whose sensational junior season (98 tackles, 52 solos) helped 1988 Demons win Southland Conference, earn No. 8 I-AA ranking, playoff quarterfinal appearance but shockingly netted him only honorable mention All-SLC ... was first-team All-Louisiana that season ... Rowe’s 1988 tackle total is best by a down lineman in Demons’ 1-AA/FCS history ... won All-SLC second team as a senior (’89) with 68 tackles/47 solo, 10 tackles for loss (-47 yards), 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles despite beginning the season with a bad ankle sprain... Preseason All-America, College Football Review, 1989 ... career 252 tackles, 42 TFL (43 games) as a down lineman is comparable to N-Club HOF DT Tank Berry, 1984 Gulf Star MVP and All-American.
Carlos Treadway (football 1989-1992 – Two-time All-Southland Conference tight end who has risen to upper level management in Ford Motor Credit, now serving as Executive Vice President of Ford Credit and CEO of Ford Credit Europe … moved to London in November 2021 and previously lived in China for several years … inducted in university’s Long Purple Line Alumni Hall of Distinction at homecoming 2022 ... has been actively engaged on NSU Alumni Association and Demons Unlimited Foundation board and in other roles supportive of NSU football and the university … first-team All-Southland and All-Louisiana as a senior, second-team as a junior, honorable mention as a sophomore … played in 7 games as a true freshman on the 1988 Southland championship team that reached the FCS quarterfinals … career: 39 games, 44 catches, 575 yards, 4 TDs … named one of 13 honorary captains on the Demons’ all-century team in the 2007 centennial celebration as a tribute to his leadership and value to his teams.
Toby Zeigler (football, 2002-05) – A four-year starter at receiver, Zeigler capped his career as the Southland, state and school record-holder in career punt return average (1,361 yards, 109 attempts, 12.5 average), ranking second in FCS history at the time ... tied school career receptions record (since broken) with 99 catches ... set Demons’ career all-purpose yardage record (4,943) ... started on nationally-ranked playoff teams as a true freshman and junior ... helped 2004 team win outright Southland championship ... two-time All-Southland return specialist ... played in the CFL for Edmonton in 2006 ... Top 100 Demons of All-Time roster member.
Men's Basketball
Ryan Bundy (men’s basketball, 1995-98) – Four-year starter at point guard set the Demons’ career assists record, breaking the mark by Roman Banks with a total of 552 that stood until Jalan West shattered it in 2015 … he averaged 5.4 assists per game, playing 102 games, starting 92 … also ranked fifth in school history with 160 steals (1.6 average) … chosen NSU’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 1997-98 … elected team captain as a senior … Academic All-District VI selection in 1997-98 … averaged 7.6 points (776 career), with a high of 23 in a 1995 game against Grambling … single-game assists best was 13 as a senior against Southeastern Louisiana, with 7 steals vs. Grambling in 1996 tops in his career … had six double-doubles (scoring/assists) … led Southland Conference with 5.8 assists pg as a junior … chosen for the 100-man “All-Century Team” as part of the “Fab 50” list of top players in NSU’s Division I history from 1977-2013, marking the Demon basketball centennial.
Josh Hancock (men’s basketball, 1997-2001) – Savvy, rock-solid point guard for 2001 NCAA Tournament team finished his career sixth all-time at NSU in assists (307, now 10th) … two-time Academic All-Southland as he fed top scorers Michael Byars-Dawson, Chris Thompson and Chris Lynch … hit clinching 3-pointer in final minute to lift Demons to NCAA opening round win over Winthrop … impressive 307-199 assist-turnover ratio … 106 steals in 113 career games … chosen for the 100-man “All-Century Team” as part of the “Fab 50” list of top players in NSU’s Division I history from 1977-2013, marking the Demon basketball centennial.
Tyrone Mitchell (men’s basketball, 2002-06) – School career steals record-holder (264, 2.20 pg) who is fourth all-time in assists (509, 4.2 pg), the point guard was All-Southland second team and All-Southland Tournament for the 2005-06 Southland regular-season and tournament champion “Demons of Destiny” who beat Iowa in the NCAA Tournament after regular season wins at Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and over Oregon State … the 6-1 New Iberia product led NSU in steals and assists each of his four seasons, starting 116 of 120 career games, including each one in his final two seasons … led the Southland as a junior in total steals and assists as the Demons won the first of two straight regular-season conference championships … his 86.5 percent FT aim in 2005-06 ties for eighth all-time at NSU … was a master distributor and played his role on a team with a dozen capable scorers and a steady rotation, epitomizing the floor general model … now associate head coach at Xavier-NO … chosen for the 100-man “All-Century Team” as part of the “Fab 50” Modern Era group to celebrate the Demon basketball centennial.
Earnest Reliford (men’s basketball, 1977-82) – “Big E” was a national recruit from Ashland who stayed home to play for the Demons … ranked 10th at NSU in career blocks (78, 0.74 pg) and in single-season FT% (85.6, 113-132 as a senior) … Reliford shot 49% overall in his career, 77% on FTs … as a senior for the most successful Demon team (19-9) in a 26-season span (1974-2001), averaged 13.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg … chosen for the 100-man “All-Century Team” as part of the “Fab 50” list of top players in NSU’s Division I history from 1977-2013, marking the Demon basketball centennial.
Jermaine Spencer (men’s basketball, 2002-07) – All-Southland forward (second team for 2004-05 regular-season champs) who was the most highly recruited of the 2002 12-man class forming the core of the Demons of Destiny 2005-06 team … a vital piece on two straight Southland regular-season champion teams, the 6-7 jackrabbit had a medical redshirt in his sophomore year … his last three teams won 64 games (64-35) and three regular-season crowns, adding the newly created (and short-lived) SLC East Division championship in his senior season of 2006-07 … Demons made three SLC Tournament championship games in his last three years … led SLC, 15th nationally in 2004-05 in FG percentage (62.0) … 2007 SLC All-Tournament team … ninth all-time at NSU with 94 blocked shots … career 51.5 FG percentage … shared 2004-05 team rebounding lead (160) with Clifton Lee … relatively modest career averages of 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, (844 points, 496 rebounds in 116 games) impacted by the 12-man rotation of contributors … named to “Fab 50” Modern Era roster for All-Century Team picked in 2013 centennial celebration.
Chris Thompson (men’s basketball, 1999-2001) – Explosive 6-6 forward who followed Mike McConathy from Bossier Parish Community College and anchored Demons’ charge to 2001 Southland Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament appearance … 2000-01 All-Southland, second team … 2001 All-Southland Tournament … led NSU in rebounding in both seasons, was second-leading scorer as a senior …NSU made Southland Tournament final both seasons, had two straight winning seasons (17-13, 19-13) for first time in 11 years … he topped Demons with 18 points in NCAA Tournament win over Winthrop … senior season averages: 12 points, 6.3 rebounds, 49.4 percent FG aim, 57 percent FT aim, 25 blocks, team-high 58 stelas in 31 games, 25 minutes pg (second on team) … 61 career games, 63 blocks, 107 steals, 10.5 points pg, 6.7 rebounds … made “Fab 50” from Modern Era on All-Century Team chosen in 2012-13 basketball centennial celebration.
Jermaine Wallace (men’s basketball, 2002-06) – All-Southland Conference twice (third team as a senior, second team as a sophomore), and honorable mention pick when named the 2002-03 SLC Freshman of the Year … All-SLC as a senior despite a 9.8 scoring average that was second on the remarkably deep “Demons of Destiny” squad that rolled to a second straight SLC regular-season title … his last-second 3-pointer handed NSU its 64-63 NCAA first-round win 3/17/06 over 15th-ranked and third-seeded Iowa, the Big Ten Conference Tournament champions … 6-3 guard finished his career 10th (now 13th) on NSU scoring list with 1,427 points (11.9 average) in 120 games, averaging in double digits his first three seasons, topped by 15.5 as a sophomore … led the Demons in scoring and SLC scoring in his first three years, including an overall 11.9 average in the 2004-05 conference championship season … his 66 3-pointers in 2005-06 was fifth in school history at the end of his career … his career total of 200 was the school record then … sank 34 percent career (200-584) on 3s … selected for “Fab 50” Modern Era roster on 100-player All-Century Team chosen in 2013 centennial celebration.
Women's Basketball
Amanda Bennett (women’s basketball, 2001-05) – 2003-04 Southland Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, twice all-Southland … first team in 2003-04 as a junior when 24-7 Lady Demons won the conference regular-season and tournament titles, and reached the NCAA Tournament … was All-Southland Tournament in 2004 … second team All-SLC in 2005 … two-time Academic All-District VI and Academic All-Southland selection … 1,163 career points (26
th all-time), 10.7 pg, as a two-year starter … 109 career games, 63 starts … had 177 3-pointers, eighth on the career list, topped by 70 as a junior, sixth in school history.
Louise Chase (women’s basketball, 1996-2000) – Two-time All-Southland second team forward who also earned All-Southland Tournament honors in her junior and senior seasons … two-time All-Louisiana pick … a four-year starter (107 of 112 games) whose 1,391 points rank 14
th all-time (11
th when she finished her career) … ninth all-time in rebounding (761) … helped lead Lady Demon basketball to the 1998-99 Southland regular-season crown (22-7, 16-2) by averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, shooting 49.7 percent from the field … capped her career contributing to a 24-6 record, the best single-season winning percentage in school history, with averages of 13.2 points and a team-best 7.1 rebounds … the 5-10 Ringgold product had 112-game career totals of 1,391 points (12.4 pg), 761 rebounds (6.8 pg), 145 steals (1.3 pg), and a 46.7 percent FG rate … Lady Demons were 74-39 overall/45-23 in SLC in her four seasons.
Stephanie Washington (women’s basketball, 1979-83) – Versatile athlete who ranks 20
th in scoring in Lady Demon basketball history (1,222 points, 101 games, 12.1 ppg), ninth in career shooting aim (48.8%) although she was a 5-8 guard … 40 points vs. Southern in 1982, 34 points vs. ULM in 1982, 33 points vs. McNeese in 1982, 30 vs. LSU as a senior in 1983 … would have been a star if NSU had track and field at that point, had an 11.0 100m time at Montgomery HS.
Soccer
Stephanie Miller (soccer, 2002-05) – Three-time All-Southland, first team as a sophomore, second team in 2002 and 2005 … All-SLC Tournament as a freshman when NSU won 2002 conference tourney … made NCAA Tournament for the first of two trips in her career, also reaching it in 2005 … Lady Demons never had a losing season in her career, going 45-32-8 overall/27-10-6 SLC … led 2003 team with 19 points (eight goals, three assists) and two game-winning goals … three-year totals of 10 goals, five assists, 27 points (missing 2002 stats).
Heather Penico (soccer, 2002-05) – 2005 Southland Player of the Year as she earned her second All-Southland first team honor and led the Lady Demons to the NCAA Tournament with a Southland Tournament crown, finishing 13-6-1 … 2002 SLC Freshman of the Year … midfielder was honorable mention All-Southland in 2003, 2004 … All-Louisiana in 2002, 2005, honorable mention in 2004 … fourth on 2005 team with 16 points (seven goals, two assists, two game-winning goals) … career totals of 78 games, 70 starts, 21 goals, 11 assists, 53 points … Lady Demons never had a losing season in her career, going 45-32-8 overall/27-10-6 SLC.
Tara Powasnik (soccer, 2002-05)– Four-time All-Southland defender, first team in her final two seasons, second team as a freshman and sophomore … part of NCAA Tournament teams in 2002, 2005 … two-time first-team Academic All-SLC in her final two years … started every game in her career, all 85 … scored seven goals, had three assists , totaling 17 points, with four game-winning goals … Lady Demons never had a losing season in her career, going 45-32-8 overall/27-10-6 SLC, capped by 13-6-1 mark in her senior season that saw an OT win over Sam Houston in the Southland Tournament final hosted at NSU.
Katie Priest (soccer, 2001-04) – The 2002 Southland Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore was a three-time All-Southland defender … first team pick as a sophomore for the 2002 Southland Tournament champs/NCAA Tournament Lady Demons, then second team as a junior and senior .. first-team All-Louisiana in 2002, also All-Southland Tournament that year for a 12-6-5 overall/6-2-4 squad that finished third in the regular season … keyed 2002 NSU defense that allowed only 34 goals and posted six shutouts, allowing two goals in league play only once (in a 5-2 win) … as a freshman, helped NSU defense set school record with only 27 goals allowed … scored one career goal, only 16 career shots … Lady Demons were 38-35-9 in her career, with only one losing season and two .500 marks.
Tennis
Nanette Beasley Varela (tennis, 1979-81) – Played in early days of Lady Demon program, won 50 singles matches (50-23, .685) in three seasons, ranking 13
th all-time as of 2024 ... her 53-17 doubles mark gives her the ninth-most doubles dual match wins in school history ... her best singles win total was a 19-7 record in 1979, which ranked fifth in school history 30 years later and is a school record for the No. 3 position ... 18-4 doubles mark in 1980, and 18-10 in 1979 ties her for 7
th in single-season doubles victories ... Lady Demons were 42-23 in her career, which spanned the third, fourth and fifth seasons of women’s tennis at NSU ... there was no conference affiliation for women’s tennis then ... most records from her career and other NSU sports were lost in a 1981 fire.
Baseball
Brad Hanson (baseball, 2001-02) – Twice first-team All-Southland in left field for back-to-back conference champions under John Cohen (2001) and Mitch Gaspard (2002) … career .374 batting average is second in school history … fifth in career slugging percentage (.591) … Hanson joins 2001 teammate Jordan Robinson, 1995 senior Matt Donner, 1993 senior Troy Conkle and N-Club HOF members Reggie Gatewood, Terry Joseph, Brian Lawrence, and Kyle Shade as the only Demons to make first-team All-Southland in back-to-back seasons … led 2002 Demons with .368 batting average (7 home runs, 46 RBI) after hitting .381 (second to David Quattrociocchi’s .401) as a junior, when he had 8 homers and 52 RBI … his 60 runs scored in 2002 is fifth on the single-season top 10 … Demons were 38-17/19-8 in 2001, 43-17, 14-10 in 2002, for an overall 81-34 mark and a 33-18 league slate in his two seasons.
Gary Johnson (baseball, 1964-67) – Pitcher who had a dynamic senior season, going 10-0 out of nowhere … helped the Demons win their first-ever Gulf States Conference title, and reach their first-ever NCAA Tournament (college division) under coach Jack Clayton and assistant Herbie Smith … not even mentioned in a season preview, Johnson set school records with 10 wins, a 1.000 winning percentage, and three shutouts … 10 wins wasn’t bettered until 1994 and remains tied for second in school history …three shutouts in a season is tied for third all-time … presumably he was Gulf States Conference Pitcher of the Year.
David Reynolds (baseball, 1983-85) – Three-year starting shortstop who played seven seasons of minor league baseball, the last six as a pitcher, reaching Class AA level in his last three seasons … All-TransAmerica Conference and All-Louisiana as a freshman (.274 batting average, 6 home runs, 34 RBI) … a 22
nd round MLB Draft pick (553
rd overall) in 1985 after posting a .266 average with 2 HR and 26 RBI for NSU, he had a pro record of 36-28 with a 3.47 ERA and 22 saves in the White Sox organization, appearing in 202 games on the mound and another 37 in the infield and outfield.
Jason Slanina (baseball, 1999-2002) – Two-time All-Southland pitcher, first team as a sophomore in 2000 when he was also All-Southland Tournament … his 23 wins is fifth in school history … 64 appearances is seventh … 40 starts is sixth … 197 strikeouts is sixth … 295.1 innings pitched is sixth … was third-team All-Southland as a senior RHP … overall career 23-15 record as a weekend starter … Demons won Southland Conference championships in 2001 and 2002 under John Cohen, then Mitch Gaspard.
Anatole Vincent (baseball, 2002-03) – Two-time All-Southland catcher and first baseman, earning first-team honors as a junior and third-team status in 2003 … batted .361 with 11 homers and 60 RBI, second at the time in school history (now tied for fifth) … drove in 59 RBI as a senior (third at the time, now tied for eighth) … his 119 career RBI ranks eighth, was third on the list after 2003 … career .585 slugging percentage is sixth all-time at NSU and has not been bettered since … hit .328 in his two seasons … helped 2002 Demons win the Southland crown with a 43-17 overall mark, 17-10 in the league under first-year coach Mitch Gaspard … NSU was 35-22/16-11 in his senior season.
Softball
Amanda Glenn (softball, 2004-07) – Dynamic pitcher and hitter who was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection (third team, 2006, 2007) and a two-time first-team All-Louisiana pick (’06, ’07) ... she still holds the single-season school record for walks drawn (39, 2007), ranks third in innings pitched (227.3 in 2006), and has two of the top four strikeout season totals in program history (third, 236, 2006; fourth, 216, 2007) ... “AG” ranks second all-time in career strikeouts (568) and third in innings pitched (560), and offensively is fourth in career RBI (125) and second in walks drawn (99, holding the record for 10 seasons) despite playing for three head coaches in four years on teams that were 127-117 ... started 195 of 205 career games, including 112 of 113 in her last two seasons ... slugged 29 career home runs, including 12 as a senior (44 RBI, career-high) ... led NSU in ERA in her last thee seasons, (2.15 in 2005, 2.71 in 2006, 2.46 in 2007) ... career 43-44 record in the circle.
Cindy Leggett (softball, 1997-2000) – Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1999, going 13-4 in conference games for the Lady Demons’ conference champions … her career 45 wins ranks seventh in school history … 1998 All-Southland Tournament team … threw a no-hitter in 2000 vs. Belmont.
Gay McNutt (softball coach, 1995-2000) – Coached Lady Demon softball to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 2000) in a three-year run of consecutive Southland Conference championships (1998-2000) …. Her six-year record was 161-170, including 112-55 (.671) in the last three years before Southern
Mississippi, coming off a Women’s College World Series appearance, hired her … snapped a skid of five straight losing seasons in the breakthrough year of 1998 (40-18, 23-3 in the Southland) … posted a winning Southland record (14-12) in a fourth-place league finish a year earlier as the program turned the corner … was 92-68 (.575) in Southland play.
Jennifer Owens (softball, 1996-98) – First-team All-Southland pitcher for the 1998 Lady Demons’ first NCAA Tournament team, which went 40-18, won the conference with a 23-3 record, and played in the Seattle Regional … sixth in school history with 489.2 innings pitched … threw two no-hitters, both in Southland play, against SFA in 1997 and SLU in 1998, almost exactly a year apart (3/22/97, 3/21/98) … one of only two pitchers in school history, along with Crista Miller (4 ½), with multiple no-hitters … made 1998 NCAA All-Regional team … did not play her senior season.
Claudia Percle (softball, 1990-92) -- set school record for career winning percentage (.720, 36-14) in the circle (now second to .727, 24-9 by Kaylee Guidry in 2013-14) … her 1992 winning percentage (.923, 12-1) is still the school record, with sister Nancy’s .875 (21-3) in 1990 second … but incredibly she did not make All-Southland for a third straight season, after first team honors in 1990 and second team status in the Southland championship season of 1991 (44-18-1) before the conference had an automatic NCAA bid … NSU was 124-56-2 in her three seasons, 42-20 in conference … sister Nancy is in N-Club HOF.
Amber Welker (softball, 1997-2000) – Two-time All-Southland outfielder who was also an outstanding pitcher for three straight Southland champion teams, two (1998, 2000) NCAA Tournament participants … pitched the first perfect game in school history vs. Ole Miss as a sophomore, winning without a strikeout in a 10-0 run-rule game … was a four-year starter … career .282 batting average with 24 doubles, 54 RBI, 39 steals and 30 sacrifice bunts .. picked up 22 career wins in the circle (eight shutouts) over her first three seasons, did not pitch as a senior thanks to addition of two freshmen pitchers … 2000 All-Southland Tournament with a .438 batting average, after hitting .422 in regular-season conference games … hit .346 with 24 RBI and 19 steals as a senior, breaking the single-season school record with 66 hits … was NSU’s only first-team All-Southland selection in 2000, second team pick in 1998. … Lady Demons were 64-12 in regular-season Southland games in her final three seasons.
Distinguished Service Award candidates
Dr. David Bedard – All-American gymnast for the Demons in 1966-68, and twice national tumbling champion in the NAIA, Bedard served as athletic director at Centenary from 2000-03 and significantly moved the Gents into the Division I Mid-Con Conference … after earning a master’s degree at NSU in 1972, he was NSU’s gymnastics coach 1973-77 … following obtaining his doctoral degree from Texas A&M, Dr. Bedard was a professor at Centenary 1981-2005, and was professor emeritus since 2005 … he served in Vietnam from 1968-71 with the U.S. Army … deceased as of 2019.
Dr. Guy Hedrick – Academic All-America first-team and honorable mention All-Southland Conference fullback in 1992 who has become a successful dentist (Tioga Dental) … played quarterback, wingback, tight end and running back from 1989-92 for Coach Sam Goodwin’s Demons … graduated summa cum laude (3.91) and gave up his senior season (fifth year) of football to enter dental school … was the first NSU student-athlete to win first-team Academic All-America honors … career stats: 127 carries, 541 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 12-109 receiving; 14-36-2, 139 passing yards … named one of 13 honorary captains on the Demons’ all-century team in the 2007 centennial celebration as a tribute to his leadership and value to his teams ... his son Jackson is joining the Demon football team for 2024.
Sue Kennedy – Mid-1970s graduate of Northwestern who became one of the top referees in women’s basketball, earning Final Four assignments in her long on-court career … won the 1992 Naismith College Official of the Year award, as only the fifth recipient since its creation. Three of the prior winners were Patty Broderick, June Courteau (now the NCAA national coordinator) and Sally Bell, household names in the profession … Opelousas native worked through the early 2000s on the court and transitioned into a longstanding role as a conference officiating observer and supervisor for the SEC, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC, Conference USA, Atlantic Sun and Ohio Valley ... still active in that capacity as of 2019-20.
Joseph “J.M.” Maricelli – A two-year (1960-61) starting fullback and cornerback, and four-year letterwinner for coach Jack Clayton, Maricelli was never stopped for a loss in his career and helped the Demons win the 1961 Gulf States Conference championship ... served in U.S. Army as a 2
nd Lieutenant; helped Ft. Benning Doughboys win an Army football crown, then served as a pilot in Vietnam ... later flew for Northwest Airlines and was one of the pilots to report eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980; retired after 32 years as a captain flying 747s ... flew for Louisiana Civil Air Patrol assisting in photographing Katrina damage and searching for missing or overlooked hurricane victims.
Angela Ortega – A two-year starter (1987-89) for Coach James Smith’s Lady Demons, Ortega was the assistant athletics director for women’s basketball operations at Texas for eight seasons … among her roles was scheduling, which resulted in a continuing series of guarantee games benefitting her alma mater’s program … the Lady Longhorns were rebuilt into a Top 25 program and an annual NCAA Tournament entry during her tenure … was previously an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for 19 seasons at North Texas and Charlotte … the fiery east Texan became a fan favorite and team leader whose pregame speech became the inspiration for the 32-year-old “Don’t Die Wondering Golf Classic” fundraiser … led Lady Demons to an at-large invitation to the 1989 NCAA Tournament, the program’s first NCAA appearance, while NSU won 38 games … she finished her career 10
th in career free throw aim.
Will Pearce – Three-year letterman (1994-96) in the outfield for baseball team under coaches Jim Wells and Dave Van Horn, Pearce helped the Demons to the 1994 Southland championship and an at-large NCAA Regional trip, and was a second-team All-SLC pick for the 1995 Southland champs ... team captain as a senior ... Demons were 114-57 in his playing career ... successful businessman who created the Peace Demon Dirtbag Scholarship endowment for baseball in 2017 and has made significant contributions to enhance the baseball locker room while encouraging other baseball lettermen to join that effort ... has a $100,000 life insurance policy with NSU Athletics as the beneficiary ... has hosted NSU Alumni events and been an alumni catalyst in the DFW metroplex.
Rob Robertson – Demon fullback from 1994-97 whose modest stats (724 career rushing yards, 9 TDs; 251 yards, 4 TDs as a senior) don’t reflect his key role on the 1997 Southland Conference co-championship team that reached the FCS playoffs … blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers (Clarence Matthews, Anthony Williams, Ronnie Powell) … as an undrafted free agent, made the Baltimore Ravens roster in 1998 and 1999, was injured, ultimately ending his career … has built a very successful business career this century in financial services with nationally-prominent firms Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase and PNC Bank ... in 2019 became Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Region 12 Manager for Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia ... has also held title of senior vice president ... and also assumed a role with the Ravens Alumni Relations department and was elected president of the Washington D.C. NFLPA Former Players Chapter ... has been reelected to NFLPA Former Players Advisory Board, and serves as chairman ...board member of D.C. Big Brothers Big Sisters ... named one of 13 honorary captains on the Demons’ all-century team in the 2007 centennial celebration as a tribute to his leadership and value to his teams.
