Much can be said about Kurt Rodriguez’s tenacity, spirit, and his impact on Northwestern State Demons football, both during his playing days and in the record books.
Next Saturday, on the morning of the final home football game pitting the Demons against Southland Conference rival McNeese State, the NSU Athletic Association will host the “Kurt Rodriguez ‘58’ Memorial Golf Tournament” at the NSU Demon Hills Golf Course to honor his legacy and provide financial support for a scholarship endowment in his memory.
Rodriguez wore jersey No. 58 during his remarkable four-year (1999-2002) career under three different head coaches, beginning with the legendary Sam Goodwin and ending under first-year coach and fellow NSU legend Scott Stoker. Last year, Rodriguez was named one of NSU’s Top 100 players in school history as Demon football celebrated its centennial season. He passed away suddenly in 2004.
The third-leading tackler in school history (408), Rodriguez was a four-year starter who starred for playoff teams in 2001 and 2002. He was first-team All-Southland Conference as a sophomore, second team as a junior and senior, and had 40 career tackles for loss. Rodriguez was first-team All-Louisiana as a sophomore, second-team in 1999 and 2002.
“I have to admit, before I came back here as head coach, I didn’t have a full appreciation for how good a football player Kurt was,” said Stoker. “He was a gamer, just a tough customer who loved to play the game and loved to compete when the lights came on. “
The golf tournament will tee off at 10. The tournament format is a four-person scramble and entries will be $75 per person or $300 for a four-person team. All participants will receive breakfast, lunch and a commemorative gift. Teams placing first, second, and third will receive prizes courtesy of the NSU Athletic Association.
Additionally, individuals and businesses are encouraged to sponsor one of the 18 holes for $75 or help underwrite the cost of either food and beverages or complimentary gifts.
At halftime of the 6 p.m. NSU-McNeese game, a formal presentation will be made of all proceeds from the tournament and all donations benefiting the “Kurt Rodriguez Endowed Scholarship.”
"Once all proceeds and donations reach the $10,000 mark, the scholarship will be fully endowed for posterity so that future generations of Demon student-athletes will benefit from the “Kurt Rodriguez Endowed Scholarship” noted NSU Athletic Association Director Dr. William Broussard. “During his time here, he was a menacing linebacker and ferocious tackler, but also a valued teammate and friend to many. The effect of Kurt’s passing struck a blow to his family and friends and to many of the Demon faithful.
"I know that establishing this scholarship is incredibly important to Kurt's family and friends, and I have a personal stake in ensuring that this scholarship becomes an endowment, given that I considered Kurt to be a friend in addition to being a teammate of mine," added Broussard, who played with Rodriguez during the 1998 and 1999 football seasons.
For more information about the tournament, and/or making a contribution to the Kurt Rodriguez Scholarship, please contact Broussard at 318 357-4295 or at broussardw@nsula.edu.
