Posted on 10/27/2023 2:01:38 AM PDT by Libloather
Northwestern State University canceled the remainder of its football season Thursday and announced the retirement of head coach Brad Laird in response to the shooting death of one of its players earlier this month.
The university announced the decision, citing concern for the "mental health and well-being" of its student-athletes after the Oct. 12 death of defensive back Ronnie Caldwell.
"Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly," NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones said in a statement provided by the school.
"While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we've since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal and to support Ronnie's family."
There were four games remaining on the team's schedule.
Head coach Brad Laird also announced his decision to step down after six seasons.
"Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don't feel I can give my all to these players or this program," Laird said. "Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university, and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA."
The Natchitoches Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in the area of University Parkway at around 1 a.m. Oct. 12. Once there, they discovered 21-year-old Ronnie Caldwell with several gunshot wounds.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Canceling a football season because of an unrelated death of a player is not rational. Life doesn’t stop because bad things happen. Curling up in a ball is a weak response. This coach is setting a bad example.
Their record is 0-6. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Something seems weird. Was the coach somehow promoting violence?
Once upon a time the team would continue in his Honor and put in the effort to reflect it. So I say there is something bad wrong with this decision...
How about sheltering in place for days, with supermarkets, etc., closing—because a crime has been committed a couple of hours away?
Well, still a bunch of quitters
area of University Parkway at around 1 a.m. Oct. 12.....
On his way home from the library, where he was studying nuclear physics, modern rocket propulsion methods, and advanced aspiring rapper?
I know, isn’t that stupid over reaction? There are 50 shootings every weekend in Chicago. Does Chicago lock down? On the bright side, I was watching a Fox News video of a road block and I saw a roofer being turned around by the cops. He was obviously on the way to a job.
From ape to man to jellyfish.
Who knew that would be our evolution?
Well, apparently it's not or they would've finished the 4 games in his honor.
That decision is likely a death knell for the program, such as it is.
Any decent players will transfer. Any decent recruits will opt to play elsewhere.
They caved to the weakest among them, and thus became weak themselves.
“Tell ‘em to win one for the Gipper.”
“Nawwwww, we figured we’d just quit instead.”
I thought football was the essence of a sport promoting/teaching young men moral resilience, struggling to win through adversity?
You know the old adage when the going gets tough the tough get going? Sounds like they need a new coach.
The suspect is an ex-team mate. If he had recruited mercenaries from the hood who aren’t interested in education and are presently divided among themselves, this might make some sense. Add in 0-6 and it may be time to head back to the drawing board—possibly dropping the coach and moving the program down a level.
It hasn’t been about that in ages. In college football, it’s all about coaches getting the best financial deal, and the colleges raking in lots of money to promote anti-American, woke ideals. It’s all a scam.
AGREED. Well said.
The usual suspects for the usual reasons.
As the country song says “When the money gets big People get hurt”.
Next day in school, the principal announced the tragic death and then proceeded to give a lecture (over the loudspeaker system) on the dangers of the railroad and that any students caught near the tracks again would be immediately suspended from school.
The loudspeaker clicked off and the teachers started class without a further comment.
No touchy-feely, no "grief counseling" at our disposal, none of that. Our classmates death was dismissed as an act of stupidity and we moved on with our lives.
Just illustrating how things are different now than back then.
Quit one for the Gipper ?
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