2026 N-Club Hall of Fame Ballot

 

Football
Greg Buckley (2001-04) Mike Funches (1997-98) Steve Gaspard (1966-69) John Kelly (1970-73)	Jake Michel (1996-99) Warren Patterson (1995-98) Michael "Red" Richardson (1981-84) Rob Robertson (1994-97)	Larry Robinson (1980-84) Mitch Rowe (1986-89) Shelton Sampson (2002-05) Clint Stuart (1996-97)	Carlos Treadway (1988-92) Randy Walker (1970-73) Wayne Walker (1962-65)

 

Athletic Services
John Fleckenstein (Equipment Manager/Athletic Trainer, 1979-87)

Men's Basketball
Byron Allen (2002-06) Ryan Bundy (1995-98)	Johnny Martin (1981-83) Earnest Reliford (1977-82)	Jermaine Spencer (2002-07)	Chris Thompson (1999-2001)

Women's Basketball
Louise Chase (1996-2000)

Soccer
Stephanie Miller (2002-05) Jimmy Mitchell (coach, 1999-2011)	Tara Powasnick (2002-05)	Katie Priest (2001-04)	Julie Zavala (2004-06)

Tennis
Coach Patric DuBois (1989-94, 2010-present) Andrea Nedorostova (2010-13)	Bianca Schulz (2008-11)	Nanette Beasley Varela (1979-81)

Baseball
Gary Johnson (1964-67)	Jason Slanina (1999-2002)	Adam Stout (1999-2000)	Anatole Vincent (2002-03)

Softball
Cindy Leggett (1997-2000) Crista Miller (2001-04)	Jennifer Owens (1996-98)	Claudia Percle (1990-92)	Amber Welker (1997-2000)

Track & Field/Cross Country
Windell Bonner (1976-81) Mike Brown (1973-76)	Fred Thompson (1989-93)	Justin Walker (2010-13)	Ronald Wilkins (1985-89)

Distinguished Service Award Candidates
Dr. David Bedard Dr. Guy Hedrick	Sue Kennedy Joseph "J.M" Maricelli	Angela Ortego Will Pearce	Steve Pezant Rob Robertson

Football
Greg Buckley (football, 2001-04) – An All-America guard for the 2004 Southland Conference champions, Buckley was a three-time All-SLC selection … he started for playoff teams in 2002 and 2004 … earned first-team All-Louisiana honors as a senior after the Demons set a single-season scoring record and allowed only 6 sacks … member of Top 100 Demons of the Century roster chosen in 2007 centennial season celebration.

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.
 
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.
 
Jake Michel (football, 1996-99) -- Leading tackler (128 in 11 regular-season games, plus 32 In 3 playoff games) as a junior on 1998 Southland championship team that reached the FCS semifinals and wound up ranked third nationally ...  middle linebacker shared team regular-season lead with 6 sacks, tied for second with 10 tackles for loss (added 2 in playoffs) ... second-team 1998 All-Southland and All-Louisiana pick who fought through injuries and a position change to strongside as a senior to open spot for freshman Kurt Rodriguez, but was a free agent signee by San Francisco ...was listed by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. as one of the top NFL Draft prospects in FCS entering 1999 ... first-team Preseason All-Southland in 1999 ... career-high 19 tackles (7 unassisted) in 35-21 loss in 1998 at No. 21 Missouri ... career totals: 358 tackles (fifth in NSU’s FCS history), 31 for lost yards, 12 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles ... two-year starter, four-year letterwinner with 44 career games played.
 
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.
 
Shelton Sampson (football, 2002-05) – Despite dividing time with 2025 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee Derek Johnese, Sampson ranks 8^th in career rushing yards (2,534), and shares 7^th with Johnese with 543 career carries, as they helped the Demons to FCS playoff appearances in 2002 and 2004, and a 2004 outright SLC title … Sampson scored 11 TDs that season.
 
Clint Stuart (football, 1996-97) – JUCO transfer whose toughness and leadership helped the Demons post two winning records and win a share of the 1997 Southland championship … was a second-team All-Southland pick as a tackle in 1997 ... conference title and playoff berth in 1997 were NSU’s first since 1988 and set a tone for the exceptional 1998 team … his blocking helped spring Ronnie Powell for a 1,00-yard rushing season in an 8-4 campaign … has been an avid supporter of the program ever since.
 
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.
 
Randy Walker (football, 1970-73) – Punter and placekicker for the Demons who led NSU in punting in his three seasons, then punted for Green Bay in the NFL (1974, 69 punts, 38.4 average) … All-Gulf South Conference in 1972 … set school records for consecutive field goals made (9) and best punting average in a game (50.4 vs. McNeese in 1973, broken in 2021, now second all-time) … chosen for Top 100 Demon Players of All-Time.
 
Wayne Walker (football, 1962-65) – Played on 1962 Gulf States Conference championship team, and led the Demons in punting three straight seasons (1963-65) … his 42.6 season average in 1965 is still a school record … reached pro football where he punted for Kansas City (1967, 38.7 average) and kicked for Houston (1968), leading the Oilers in scoring with 50 points …  chosen for Top 100 Demon Players of All-Time.

Athletic Services
John Fleckenstein (Equipment manager/athletic trainer, 1979-87) – Began his career as a student equipment manager and transitioned into a hybrid role that also included traveling with all sports and assisting Eugene Christmas’ athletic training staff … he washed uniforms, fixed equipment and taped ankles, knees and shoulders at all hours ... an unsung hero among support staff members … “Without his tireless devotion to every team, the athletic experience for all of us would have been very different,” said his nominator ... remains an avid supporter today and a Demon Brothers Booster Club member.

Men's Basketball
Byron Allen (men’s basketball, 2002-06) – Massive (6-7, 260), muscular post player whose presence created opportunities for teammates on two straight SLC championship teams (2005, 2006) and vexed major opponents in milestone wins over Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Oregon State and No. 15 Iowa in 2006 NCAA Tournament … two-time honorable mention All-SLC who played five seasons of pro ball overseas, averaging 7.5 rebounds in 2011-12 for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in Japan … scored 10.2 points per game as a freshman, never again cracking double digits but finishing with 997 career points (8.8 pg) and 502 rebounds (25^th all-time) … shot 57% as a senior, 51% as a sophomore to lead deep, talented team that won 74 games in four seasons, 57 in his final two seasons …  earned his bachelor’s in electronic engineering technology as a junior ... threw the discus in 2003 for the track team … got a tryout with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in summer 2006 … named to Demons’ All-Century team in 2012-13 as part of the Fab 50 modern era roster (for Division I players since 1976-77).
 
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.
 
Johnny Martin (men’s basketball, 1981-83) – Fourth-round 1983 NBA Draft pick (79^th overall, to Dallas), the 6-10 forward averaged 14.2 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior for coach Wayne Yates’ Demons … played several seasons overseas in Europe and South America … was Demons’ team captain as a senior … helped 1981-82 team finish second in Trans America Athletic Conference with 19 wins … named to Demons’ All-Century team in 2012-13 as part of the Fab 50 modern era roster (for Division I players since 1976-77).
 
Earnest Reliford (men’s basketball, 1977-82) – “Big E” was a national recruit from Ashland who stayed home to play for the Demons … ranked 10^th 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, 15^th 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.

Women's Basketball
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.

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).
 
Jimmy Mitchell (soccer, 1999-2011) – Easily the most accomplished coach in NSU soccer history, leading the program to 131 victories in his 13 seasons, including the first three NCAA Tournament appearances … he took little time to make a major impact, leading NSU to its most successful season, a 15-8 regular season record and 10-2 mark in Southland play, winning both the regular season and tournament titles … also led the program to tournament berths in 2002 and 2005 and won the All-Louisiana Coach of the Year in both 2000 and 2002 … in addition to the three conference championships, he had three conference players of the year under his watch, as well as 17 first-team and 16 second-team All-Southland selections, as well as 25 academic all-conference selections.
 
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.
 
Julie Zavala (soccer, 2004-06) – Despite playing just three seasons with NSU, she ranks fourth in both goals (27) and points (64). Only N-Club Hall of Famer Britiany Cargill has more goals than Zavala among players who played fewer than four seasons in Natchitoches ... her best season came in 2005 when she scored 13 goals to earn first-team Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors, helping lead NSU to an NCAA Tournament berth ... in that 2005 SLC Tournament championship match against Sam Houston State, she scored the game-winning goal in overtime to send NSU to the NCAA Tournament ... her 32 points in 2005 is the third-most season total in school history ... in 2004, she was honorable mention All-Louisiana after leading the team with nine goals ... her nine career multi-goal games are the most in program history ... first-team Academic All-SLC her final two seasons ... was named the Chicago Bears 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker Award for the work she has done growing the game of girls flag football in the state of Illinois.

Tennis
Patric DuBois (women’s tennis, 1989-94, 2010-present) – Has been head coach three times (1989-94, left for UTA), 2006-14 (returned from UTA, then stepped aside for Olga Bazhanova) and 2018-20 (replaced Bazhanova) and has been director of tennis since 2006. During his involvement, Lady Demons have been extremely competitive in Southland Conference competition and have reached NCAA Tournament play … career record including time at UTA is 425-240, including 206-52 in SLC matches … at NSU he has won 5 regular-season SLC championships, 3 SLC Tournament titles, and as assistant, has contributed to 3 more regular-season crowns … has twice been SLC Coach of the Year at NSU, once Louisiana Coach of the Year … has coached 36 All-SLC singles selections, 22 first-teamers … 20 All-SLC doubles teams, 16 first-teamers … two SLC Players of the Year, one All-Louisiana Player of the Year … 17 All-Louisiana selections, 6 first-teamers … has led NSU teams to eight 15+ win seasons, including two 20-win records … coached the top three in career singles wins, top six in career doubles victories … coached all five women’s tennis N-Club Hall members for at least one season, two Academic All-Americans, dozens of ITA Academic All-Stars, and two nationally-ranked (ITA) players.

Andrea Nedorostova (tennis, 2010-13) – One of the top players in Northwestern tennis history, ranking in top two in both singles (60) and doubles (71) victories, including the career leader in doubles wins … her .866 career winning percentage in doubles is No. 2 in program history, with a  71-10 mark, including 19-0 with partner Martina Rubesova in 2010 … Three first-team All-SLC selections in doubles and earned second-team All-SLC in singles and All-Louisiana in 2012 … as a freshman, she helped lead the Lady Demons to a school-record 20 victories and a regular season championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 … that team ranked as high as No. 59 nationally … bookended her career with another championship in 2013, clinching the conference tournament title by winning her singles match against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi … given the Michael Peter Manno Endowed Leadership/Services Award in communication and graduated magna cum laude at NSU.
 
Bianca Schulz (tennis, 2008-11) – Ranks among most successful players in school history ... top three in both singles (65) and doubles (67) career victories ... holds the program record for career singles wins … a four-time All-SLC selection in doubles and two-time in singles, she helped the Lady Demons to a school-record 20 victories and a regular season championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 ...that team ranked as high as No. 59 nationally … three-time All-Louisiana selection … posted 19 singles wins in 2008 and 19 doubles victories in 2009 … team captain as a senior … led her team to 36 conference wins …. graduated magna cum laude with a 3.89 GPA ... made the President’s List every semester ...  a four-time ITA Academic All-American … two-year member of the SAAC.
 
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 … she started playing tennis as a junior in high school, earned a full scholarship two years later.

Baseball
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.  

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.
 
Adam Stout (baseball, 1999-2000) – The 1999 Southland Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-SLC pitcher, Stout made the 1990s SLC All-Decade Team … was on Demon teams that won 68 games in his two seasons, including a 38-21 mark (18-9, second in the SLC) in 1999 … Stout was 10-2 that year, a win total that is tied for third in school history … he holds the single-game school mark for innings pitched, 11, in a 2000 game vs. Sam Houston … he threw 103 innings, ninth in school history, in 1999.
 
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
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.
 
Crista Miller (softball, 2001-04) – First-team All-Southland and All-Louisiana selection as a pitcher in 2002, when Lady Demons returned to NCAA Tournament … threw three career solo perfect games ... still holds the school record for pitching appearances (130) and ranks in the top 10 in fewest walks per seven innings (0.99, 2^nd), career complete games (59, 3^rd), innings pitched (614.2, 3^rd), shutouts (15, T-3^rd), strikeouts (442, 5^th), wins (48, 5^th) and saves (5, T-5^th) … tied the school single-season record for wins with 21 in 2002, the same season in which she held opponents to a .189 average (3^rd in program history) … 21-9 mark in 2022 is tied for 3^rd in single-season winning percentage (minimum 20 decisions) … set a school record for fewest walks allowed (minimum 100 innings pitched) in 2004, permitting only 11 free passes, which also set a school record for fewest walks per seven innings (0.51) … tossed three of the four solo perfect games in program history – vs. Southern (Feb. 2, 2002), vs. Prairie View A&M (March 12, 2003) and vs. McNeese (April 3, 2004) and was part of another perfect game with N-Club Hall of Famer Amanda Ortego against Centenary on March 22, 2001 …  helped Northwestern to the 2002 Southland Conference Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Regionals … helped that 2002 pitching staff rank 23^rd nationally in ERA at 1.41 … first-team Academic All-Southland Conference as a senior in 2004, graduating magna cum laude in health and exercise science … lauded for her ability to make adjustments from pitch to pitch and her leadership.
 
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.
  
Track & Field
Windell Bonner (track and field, cross country 1976-81) – walk-on who became a middle distance star for NSU as part of several school record relay teams … he anchored the 1981 4x400 relay team (Mario Johnson, Kenneth Mosley, Keith Carter, Bonner) to a record 3:09.64 … same year, anchored the 4x800 squad to school and state record 7:20.7 (Randy Robinson, Billy Green, Victor Bradford, Bonner), a mark that still stands … ran the third-fastest 800 (1.49.76) in school history in 1980 … part of the school record (still stands) distance medley team in 1978 (Robinson 1:54.8, Carter 48.3, Bonner 3:10.1, Green 4:15.7) … won Trans America Conference Indoor 600 in 1979 in school record 1:11.6) and took 880 yard run (1:54.6) …  races in his career were 400, 600 yard run, 800, 1000, aforementioned relays, along with 5K, 4 and 5 mile runs, 10K and marathon in cross country or long distance … won 1977 Christmas Festival marathon in 2:45.34.
 
Mike Brown (track and field, 1973-76) – A five-time NAIA All-American, the second-most All-America honors by any NSU athlete (Brian Brown, no relation, had 6 as a high jumper), Brown is one of the program’s best long jumpers … his 26-2 best in 1976 was a school record and now stands 6^th in Demon history … his All-America honors came indoors in 1975 and 1976, and outdoors in 1973 and 1974, along with a 1976 A-A award as part of Jerry Dyes’ 4x100 relay team … he still holds part of a school record as one leg on the spring medley team … his jumps helped the Demons win the Gulf South Conference Outdoors in 1974 along with a runner-up finish in 1975 … he won two individual GSC long jump crowns.
 
Fred Thompson (football, track and field, 1989-93) – Won 9 Southland Conference track relay team gold medals and added 7 podium (top 3) finishes individually as a sprinter from 1990-93, while he was a standout safety on the football team … part of SLC Indoor 4x400 champion relays four times, twice (1991, ’93) outdoors … ran on SLC Indoor 4x100 winning team in 1990, 1993, and outdoors in 1993 … top 4 finishes at conference meets individually in the 400 (Indoors 4^th in 1990, 3^rd ’91, 2^nd ’92 & ’93), 100 (4^th 1990, 3^rd ’92, 2^nd ’93), 200 (outdoors 4^th 1990, 3^rd ’92, 2^nd ’93) … injured in 1991 … was a second-team All-SLC safety as a senior football player, and a four-year letterwinner who was Demons’ Defensive MVP in 1993, second on the team in tackles in his last two seasons …voted by teammates the defensive Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership Award as a permanent team captain in 1993.
 
Justin Walker (track and field, 2010-13) – A three-time All-American sprinter, including making the first team in both the 100 and 200 in 2014, as well as making the second team as a member of the 4x100 relay ... made an appearance at regionals four times as well as earning a spot at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in both the 100 and 200 ... collected 14 medals at the Southland Conference meets, including eight golds ... his times of 9.95 (wind-aided) in the 100 and 20.13 in the 200 are the fastest times in program history ... has five of the top 10 times in school history in the 100 and six of the top 10 in the 200 ... helped the Demons to a pair of top five finishes in the conference meets.

Ronald Wilkins (track and field, cross country, 1985-89) – A middle distance standout who helped NSU win two conference outdoor championships (1985 Gulf Star, 1987 Southland), Wilkins was also an NCAA regional qualifier in cross country (1989) when he made the All-SLC XC team … in all four track seasons, he was a top three runner at conference indoor and outdoor meets in the 800 and 1500 meters … Wilkins won the Gulf Star outdoor 800 in 1985 and the Southland outdoor 1500 in 1987 … he ran a leg on a school record 4x400 relay that clocked 3:07 … his personal bests were 1:51.2 in the 800 and 3:53.21 in the 1500, both on the all-time NSU top 10 list … active in ROTC as a student, while he was a Dean’s List member, Wilkins is in the NSU Demon Regiment Hall of Fame. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 33 years of service across Active Duty, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve, and served more than 20 years as a police officer in Texas … his heavily-recruited son Joshua was a standout distance runner for NSU from 2014-18.

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 I 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 joined the Demon football team in 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.

Steve Pezant – Beginning as a student manager for football in 1988-90, and since graduation after he became a Louisiana State Trooper, Pezant has made supporting NSU Athletics a high priority both in service and in the stands … has been an official security leader for football since 2002, not only playing a key role in travel and handling game security on the sideline, but assisting as needed throughout the years. Before coming on board officially when Scott Stoker became head coach, he was the bus escort and helped in a semi-official capacity throughout his LSP career, and continues now on a volunteer basis while working as a City Marshal … Pezant has been a leader in softball’s Outfield Club, basketball’s Sixth Man Club, and baseball’s Cooking Crew and has helped any coach in any sport when asked or if possible … has helped cook for team and department events for many years .. has made countless road trips near and very far to support NSU teams … he and wife Tammie are parents of Sonya, who became football Operations Director for coach Brad Laird.
 
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.