Northwestern State quarterback lashes out at school for canceling season following shooting death of player

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Northwestern State quarterback Tyler Vander Waal spoke out against the university’s decision to cancel the season after one of its players was shot and killed earlier this month. 

Vander Wall, a senior who made his debut as the Demon’s starting quarterback in September, posted a lengthy statement on social media Saturday, just one day after the university abruptly ended the season and announced that head coach Brad Laird had resigned. 

Both decisions followed the Oct. 12 death of defensive back Ronnie Caldwell.

Northwestern State's Ronnie Caldwell engages an offensive player. (Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services)

NORTHWESTERN STATE CANCELS FOOTBALL SEASON, HEAD COACH RESIGNS FOLLOWING SHOOTING DEATH OF PLAYER

"(NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones) and (Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian) have failed the players immensely. The canceling of the season was never about Ronnie. They used his unfortunate passing as a cop out," Vander Waal wrote. 

"The lack of leadership was evident. As much as I respected coach Laird as a coach and a man, he didn't have any control of this team. As players, we were kept in the dark about everything. The decision makers here thought it was a good idea to cancel the season and take away the only structure we had? They thought it would be smart to take away these players' outlets during a time of grief? 

"Where we go to be together and have fun and play the game we love? To cancel the season because we're not all mentally there and need more time to grieve and then start offseason workouts on Monday? No, I fully believe there was more to this decision that we will never know. This was just an easy way to get