Northwestern State Demons
The Northwestern State University athletic teams go by the Demons, with women's athletic teams generally called the Lady Demons, and its mascot is Vic the Demon. Once a member of the celebrated SIAA conference, the school now competes in the Southland Conference.
"Fork 'em" is a hand gesture and slogan used by students at Northwestern State University in their celebration of sports teams. The gesture is performed by curling the ring and middle fingers under the thumb against the palm, and extending the pinky and index fingers – identical in fashion to the University of Texas "Hook 'em Horns" gesture.
On March 17, 2006, NSU's 14th-seeded basketball team shocked the college basketball world by defeating 3rd-seeded, 11th-ranked, Big Ten Conference tournament champion Iowa in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on a late three-pointer by Jermaine Wallace. NSU was the lowest-seeded team to advance to the second round in 2006. NSU's men's basketball team also won the inaugural play-in game, beating the Winthrop University Eagles 71–67 in 2001 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to advance to the 16th-seeded spot. In doing so, the Demons became the first #16 seed to earn a victory in the NCAA Tournament.
Prominent athletic alumni include former New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper, former Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney, University of Southern California defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, John Stephens, former Houston Oilers wide receiver Charlie Hennigan, current Buffalo Bills cornerback and Pro Bowl kickoff returner Terrence McGee, U.S. Olympians LaMark Carter and Kenta Bell, Junior Olympian Latrell Frederick, former Chilean High Jump record holder Felipe Apablaza and Major League Baseball pitcher Brian Lawrence. Former Major League relief pitcher Lee Smith is a former Demon, having played basketball at Northwestern. Smith held the major league record for career saves from 1993–2006. The NSU athletic offices are housed in the George Doherty Wing, named for George Doherty (1920–1987), a former head football coach of the Demons.
NSU also has the distinction of being the only NCAA division IAA/FCS member to have 2 NFL rookies of the year. In 1981, Delaney, running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, was awarded the AFC Rookie of the year by UPI. In 1988, Stephens, another former Demon running back, of the New England Patriots, was named Offensive\AFC Rookie of the year. No other 4 year institution in the state of Louisiana has more than 1. The pair of awards is more than won by Ohio State, Texas A&M and UCLA.
—== Varsity teams == Northwestern State sponsors 12 varsity athletic teams, 5 men's teams and 7 women's teams.
Read more about Northwestern State Demons: Men’s Programs, Women's Programs, Chief Caddo, Fight Song
Famous quotes containing the words state and/or demons:
“The structure was designed by an old sea captain who believed that the world would end in a flood. He built a home in the traditional shape of the Ark, inverted, with the roof forming the hull of the proposed vessel. The builder expected that the deluge would cause the house to topple and then reverse itself, floating away on its roof until it should land on some new Ararat.”
—For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 9:1,2.