By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
NATCHITOCHES – When to resume Northwestern State’s football schedule was delicate in the wake of the shooting death last week of junior defensive back Ronnie Coleman Jr., and the decision came Monday with announcement that the Demons’ home game against Southeastern Louisiana has been moved to Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.
The decision to move up the game by two days came once plans were set for the wake and funeral services for Caldwell. The family elected to conduct the events Friday and Saturday in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
Shifting the game up to Thursday will allow NSU personnel to attend the services.
Thursday, the Demons and Lions will kick off at 7 p.m., and the game swill air on ESPN+. Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. instead of the typical two hours ahead of kickoff.
For ticket information or questions, contact the Northwestern State Athletics Ticket Office at 318-357-4268.
Caldwell, a 21-year-old junior safety, was shot to death by an assailant early last Thursday morning at an off-campus apartment complex. A 27-year-old who was apparently assigned to Caldwell’s four-bedroom apartment at the Quad Apartment Complex is in custody on drug-related charges but Natchitoches authorities have not announced charges related to the slaying.
John McIntosh, not a student at NSU, was arrested for possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance on Friday and bond was set at $25,000.
KALB-TV of Alexandria reported Monday that McIntosh was arrested nine years ago in Natchitoches on an attempted second degree murder charge.
Caldwell started 10 games last season for NSU but had a foot injury and was unable to play so far this season. He was serving as a student assistant coach while trying to return to action later this fall. He was widely admired by teammates, coaches, staff and fellow student-athletes and faculty and students at the university, and was named NSU’s Male Student-Athlete of the Month at the outset of the month.
He made the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the 2022 season after posting a grade point average of at least 3.0 in his major, business administration.
Caldwell is survived by his parents and seven siblings. A “Go Fund Me” account has been established to assist with funeral expenses and has around 200 contributions.
The link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/ronnie-caldwell-jr?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_vt9h+ronnie-caldwell-jr on the internet.