NAU Football Blog

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

mthomp28 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:20:43 +0000

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

NAU Offseason Workouts Begin

mthomp28 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:20:43 +0000

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!

Funeral Date Set for Former NAU Player Mark Spradlin

mthomp28 — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:50:55 +0000

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.

Videos of New NAU Recruits

mthomp28 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:40:20 +0000

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:

NAU-ASU Game Changed

mthomp28 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:08:42 +0000

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.

2010 NAU Football Summer Camp Dates

mthomp28 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:34:46 +0000

All American Ed Berry catches a pass at Ole Miss.

The dates for 13th Annual Jerome Souers High Mountain Challenge at Northern Arizona University have been set for this summer. See below for more information:

The Total Team Event
When: Saturday, June 12 (Gold Tournament 4A2 and higher) AND Sunday, June 13 (Blue Tournament 4A2 and lower)
Where: NAU Campus, Flagstaff
Cost: $300 per “Air Challenge” Team
$300 per “Big Man” Team
$500 total if you bring both teams
$40 for individuals on Renegade team

The Air Challenge: 7-on-7 Passing Tournament

Four games guaranteed
Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13 — starts at 8:30 am (Round Robin Games) both days.
Each day limit to 24 teams (Round Robin ending with a tournament format)
Renegade teams will consist of 14 players and will be coached by guest coaches. Players will also receive a Renegade team T-shirt.

The Big Man Challenge: Team Event Competition

Ten events testing speed, strength, endurance and agility.
Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 8:30 am (challenge begins)
Renegade teams will consist of 10 players and will be coached by guest coaches. Player will also receive a Renegade T-shirt.

Skills Camp in Flagstaff Friday, June 11

Other Events Outside Flagstaff:

Skills Camp in Kingman Tuesday, June 8

Skills Camp in Phoenix Wednesday June 9

National Signing Day! NAU Signs 23 Players!

mthomp28 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:16:44 +0000

For the past few months, the Northern Arizona University football staff has been working nonstop to find the best talent it could. And today all of the staff’s hard work culminates on National Signing Day. Head coach Jerome Souers has announced the 2010 recruiting class. The Lumberjacks have signed 23 new players. What’s more impressive is that the staff was able to sign 23 of the 24 athletes who came on official visits to Flagstaff. That success rate is almost unheard of in the recruiting world. That success can be attributed to the careful research the staff did as well as the way our NAU coaches foster relationships with athletes and coaches.

The entire staff is excited about players we are about to bring in. Not only are they talented, but they are good citizens and students. They will contribute greatly to next year’s team, which returns 29 seniors and more than 20 starters. To read more about NAU’s 23 new recruits go to nauathletics.com.

Team Awards Banquet Rescheduled

mthomp28 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:34:56 +0000

Senior RB Alex Henderson

As most of you know, last week’s NAU Football Banquet got canceled because of the huge snow storm that hit Flagstaff. We have rescheduled the event for this Saturday, Jan. 30, at 4 pm at Little America Hotel. Players were notified on Monday afternoon, which was the fastest we could reschedule the event.

We will hand out individual awards to players as well as honor our seniors from the 2009 team. We will also show a short highlight video. Parents, family, friends, and supporters of NAU are encouraged to attend. We would love to see all of you there! Appetizers will be provided as well as a cash bar. Cost is $10 per person.

Again, we are so sorry for the inconvenience to all of you who had planned to come last week. We hope you can still come and share in our celebration of the 2009 team this weekend!

Tentative 2010 NAU Football Schedule

mthomp28 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:30:15 +0000

The 2010 NAU Football schedule isn’t complete, but we do have our Big Sky schedule set. I know many of you would like to have an idea of our travel dates as well as our home games, so I am posting this now. Our official schedule probably will not be finalized for at least another month. When it is, we will post it here right away.

So, here is the 2010 schedule (as of now):

9/4 @ Arizona State.

9/11 Open

9/18 Open

9/25 @ Idaho State

10/2 @ Southern Utah

10/9 @ Eastern Washington

10/16 Montana State

10/23 @ Montana

10/30 Sacramento State (Homecoming)

11/6 @ Northern Colorado

11/13 Weber State

11/20 Portland State

11/27 NCAA Playoffs Begin

* Note: The ASU game is not set in stone. There is a possibility that we might face the Sun Devils on 9/11. We will let you know as soon as it is finalized. Go Jacks!

Financial Aid Reminders

mthomp28 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:18:54 +0000

This information is for all football players:

Just a reminder that student-athletes on book scholarship do not have to turn the books into the athletic department. The books are their property and they may do with them as they choose. If they sell them back, the money is theirs to keep.

Any student on scholarship should be reminded to pay their class fees, parking fees, etc. before the start of the spring semester to avoid late fees. If students have questions about specific charges on their account or when payments are due, please have them contact me.

The first in-lieu check will be disbursed on January 11, 2010 and then it will be 24-48 hours before the students see the money in their bank account.

If you have any questions, contact Lynn Newson in the athletics office.