March 4, 2010

NAU’s Louie Makes Sportcenter’s “Scariest Mascots” List

Louie

Let’s admit it, sometimes college mascots can be a little scary looking. They usually have over-sized heads or their faces sport strange looks that are intended to make the mascot appear menacing or tough.

Sportcenter.com featured the scariest (or creepiest) college mascots yesterday. Our own Louie the Lumberjack made the Top 10 list. Although our current Louie is pretty scary, we think that having a real person as our Lumberjack mascot would be way more intimidating. All we need is a tall, barrel-chested man with a beard to attend our games dressed in a flannel shirt and suspenders and wield an axe on the sidelines.

Actually, we have a player that almost fits that exact description (sans the flannel shirt and suspenders). His name is Anthony Williams, our standout left tackle who started every game last year. Williams, a native of Pinetop, Arizona, will be back for his senior season in 2010. But if he stays in the Flagstaff area after graduating, we think he could be the next “real” Louie.

Take a look at him below. Doesn’t he look like the kind of lumberjack you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark forest?

Anthony Williams

February 18, 2010

NAU Offseason Workouts Begin

NAU football team stretches before working out at 6 am on a cold Feb. morning.

NAU football team morning conditioning sessions began yesterday bright and early at 6 am in Rolle Activity Center.

While the team’s weight lifting program began just after the holiday break in January, most of the coaching staff has been out on the road doing recruiting. Yesterday the entire staff, as well as strength coach Andy Williams, led the Lumberjack players through some challenging agility and aerobic exercises. The team’s workout lasted about an hour so that they could have time to get breakfast and make their 8 o’clock classes.

The players did a great job and were highly motivated to get better. We can’t wait for the 2010 season!

February 11, 2010

Funeral Date Set for Former NAU Player Mark Spradlin

No. 54 Mark Spradlin

Former NAU football player Mark Spradlin, 24, of Buckeye, was tragically taken from this earth on February 4, 2010. He was born on April 7, 1985 to parents Dyan Temple and Warren Spradlin. Mark was a 2003 graduate of Tolleson High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended NAU on an athletic scholarship for football. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice in 2008. Mark was an avid outdoorsman who had a passion for hunting. He was planning on wedding the love of his life Christina Loyash on March 13, 2010. Mark is survived by his fiance Christina Loyash; parents Dyan and Doug Temple, Warren and Amy Spradlin; Brothers Brett and Blake Spradlin, Sister Megan Spradlin; Grandparents Elaine and Mike Lancaster, Bill and Dolores North, Larry and Cynthia Spradlin; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service is going to be held at Tolleson High School on Saturday February 13, 2010 at 2 pm. The family requests that to honor Mark attendees are welcome to wear Tolleson, NAU, Cardinals, or camouflage apparel. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in Mark Spradlin’s name to an account at Corporate America Credit Union 8337 W. Bell Rd. Ste. 102 Peoria, AZ 85382 Acct# 19052130.

Spradlin saw action in every game of the 2006 and 2007 seasons, serving as the snapper. Prior to coming to NAU, he played two years at Glendale Community College. He will be greatly missed by the NAU football family.

February 9, 2010

Videos of New NAU Recruits

RB Jamaal Perkins

Over at NAUathletics.com, Sports Information Director Steve Shaff has posted highlights of all of NAU’s 23 signees of 2010. Head coach Jerome Souers is very excited about this year’s class, which includes a number of players who will likely see action in 2010. Take a look at them:

DB Blake Bailey

OL/DL Roy Garcia

RB Jamaal Perkins

RB Jonathan Dewitt

QB Chase Cartwright

DB Randy Hale

WR Iffy Umodu

QB Jordan Perry

RB Zach Bauman

WR Daniel Adler

WR Eric Roberson

OL Chris Pitts

SP/LB Hayden Renning

WR Jesse Bueno

S Robert Watson

DL Tim Wilkinson

OL Joe Gurski

OL Shane Moniz

DL Jake Phipps

TE Drew Emanuel

LB Keaunu Kalolo

DB Anders Battle

LB Craig Frum

February 9, 2010

NAU-ASU Game Changed

Previously Northern Arizona University was scheduled to play Arizona State on Sept. 4. However, the game has been moved to Sept. 11. Kick off is scheduled for 7 pm.

The Lumberjacks do not yet have an opponent for Sept. 4, but we are hoping it will be a home game.