At Northwestern State University of Louisiana, student athletes experience a mid-major athletics program rooted in tradition and excellence. NSU Athletics’ process-focused approach to its program has allowed its athletes to excel while bringing demon spirit to the university’s community.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, NSU student athletes were still able to leave their mark in collegiate sports and enjoy bringing a winning atmosphere to NSU.

“Every day these guys come out and they’re excited to work and they’re getting after it,” Spencer Goodwin, assistant coach of NSU baseball, said.

The behind-the-scenes work student athletes do is what makes their time at NSU worthwhile, whether it’s in the classroom, in workouts or in games. To them, it’s important to work hard and create an atmosphere of winning that goes beyond the games fans and students watch.

“My success at NSU so far shows me that all of the hard work I put in is being rewarded,” Daunte Stuart, second baseman for NSU baseball, said. “This drives me to become one of the best, if not ‘the best’ baseball player to come through the NSU program.”

In April, NSU baseball claimed notable wins early in the season against Big Twelve Conference opponent University of Oklahoma and SLC opponents University of New Orleans and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Stuart credits his work outside of games to his success during them.

“The way I handle pressure in big-time situations is through practicing,” Stuart said. “During practice, I try to envision myself making big plays for my team, so when the opportunity actually presents itself, I embrace it.”

NSU Athletics provides an exclusive experience to the Natchitoches community. From football’s exciting noise in Harry Turpin Stadium every Saturday, to Brown Stroud Field and baseball’s cooking club, followed by softball’s Lady Demon Diamond and the roaring commotion in the Demon dugout, everyone can have a great time in DemonLand.

“Walking into Natchitoches, I didn’t expect much, but I was blown away by how welcoming it was and how much the community rallies around the school,” Bronte Rhoden, pitcher for NSU softball, said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”