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News Nuggets, 09.02.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Green Wave football team in limbo about future

DALLAS — Lester Ricard smiles while he's around his Tulane football teammates as he tries to remain hopeful despite the uncertainty that Hurricane Katrina has brought.

Ricard, Tulane's quarterback, isn't sure about the possibilities of attending classes this semester or whether his team will even play this season.

But most importantly, Ricard is waiting to hear from his great-uncle, Edward Lee of New Orleans. Two of his other teammates also have relatives who haven't been located in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

``If everybody's family is OK, then we'll be OK,'' said Ricard.

He's among some 90 Tulane students, including the school's football team, who arrived in Dallas as guests of Southern Methodist University early Wednesday after being displaced for a second time.

SMU and Tulane, both Conference USA schools, had been set to play each other near Dallas on Sept. 24.

Ultimately, Tulane officials will have to decide on whether the school will be able to function, and even play this season. But there isn't a timeline for that.

``We're still absorbing everything that did happen,'' said athletic director Rick Dickson. ``The worst national disaster in our country's history and you're part of it.''

Many students have gone from sleeping on the floor to resting on air mattresses to staying at a hotel near SMU, Dickson said. Initially, about 400 Tulane students were evacuated from New Orleans to Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. But when Katrina's remnants hit Mississippi and knocked out power, a contingent left for Texas.

For now, Tulane officials are working to find venues where the team can play. They've been in talks with officials in Houston and Shreveport, LA, Dickson said.

Coaches are trying to set a regimen for their athletes, hoping to provide a sense of stability.

Students lifted weights Thursday morning and then shopped for the clothes, shoes, and other essentials they needed.

Later, about 100 members of the Tulane football team and traveling party were at the Jacksonville Jaguars-Dallas Cowboys preseason game as guests of the Cowboys Thursday night.

Although the players are still settling into their new accommodations, they've been talking about how to help those back home who were devastated by the storm.

``They know how fortunate they are,'' said coach Chris Scelfo.

Southern Miss sets up ad hoc camp in Memphis

MEMPHIS — Southern Mississippi's football team has relocated to Memphis for about a week after Hattiesburg was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

``Thank goodness for the city of Memphis and especially the University of Memphis,'' Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower said. ``I don't know what else we could do. I know our football team is very appreciative of everything Memphis is doing for us.''

The Golden Eagles have set up headquarters in this southwestern Tennessee city, about a 5-hour drive north from Hattiesburg, and will stay there until they depart for Tuscaloosa to play Alabama on Sept. 10.

Southern Miss players, coaches and staff bused to Memphis on Thursday.

``These kids haven't hardly eaten. They haven't had a lot of fluids and like me a lot of them are looking forward to a hot shower,'' Bower said. ``It's difficult and we had to change our plans and make the proper adjustments. We are ultimately concerned about the welfare of our players and their families. We still have two or three players who haven't made it back yet.''

The Golden Eagles haven't practiced since going through a short workout Sunday night, hours before the deadly storm hit Hattiesburg the following morning.

``These players aren't thinking about football right now,'' Bower said.

Thursday night's college football scoreboard

[Games involving Conference USA teams in bold;
games involving East Carolina opponents in red.]

EAST
     Connecticut 38, Buffalo 0
SOUTH
     Marshall 36, William & Mary 24
     South Carolina 24, Central Florida 15
     Vanderbilt 24, Wake Forest 20
MIDWEST
     Cincinnati 28, Eastern Michigan 26
     Toledo 62, Western Illinois 14
SOUTHWEST
     Minnesota 41, Tulsa 10
     Oregon 38, Houston 24
FAR WEST
     Arizona State 63, Temple 16
     Washington State 38, Idaho 26

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:27 PM