Hurricane Katrina is forcing Tulane University’s football team to relocate to the SMU campus.
Earlier this afternoon, an agreement was worked out between the two schools’ athletic departments that will allow the Tulane Green Wave to utilize various facilities on the Hilltop.
Officials are currently working out a practice schedule that will allow the Mustangs to continue preparation for this Saturday’s game against Baylor while also letting Tulane players stay in shape for their season.
According to SMU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Brad Sutton, the team will be bussed in from Jackson State University and were scheduled to arrive in Dallas around 5 a.m. Wednesday.
The team will possibly be staying at the DoubleTree Campbell Center or other hotels closer to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
SMU Athletic Director Jim Copeland said, “We know it will be very difficult for residents of New Orleans in the next couple of weeks. We are pleased to help out one of the members of our new conference with the use of our facilities until they are able to get back to their home.”
Members of the Tulane training staff, coaches and athletic department officials are traveling with the football team, according to Tulane Media Relations Director Donna Turner.
She said the players would only be utilizing practice facilities and would not be taking any classes while at SMU.
So far, Conference USA has only postponed Tulane’s opener against Southern Mississippi, which was scheduled for this Saturday. Tulane has a bye week scheduled for Sept. 10.
Turner said that no decisions have been made on the rest of the schedule.
Other Green Wave athletes will be staying at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The University of Memphis is hosting athletes from Southern Miss.
“Knowing our members, we are not surprised by the outpouring of support for Tulane and Southern Miss,” Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said. “We are especially grateful to SMU, Memphis and UAB for sharing their resources.”
SMU Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Caswell said that he hopes SMU students will welcome the Tulane students with open arms.
“I know our students will be friendly and hospitable toward our guests. They have been through a lot, so don’t be afraid to give them a big hug.”
SMU will also run phone banks and try to provide any other services so Green Wave athletes can get in contact with family members.
SMU and Tulane play each other in the first Conference USA football game of the season on Sept. 24 at Ford Stadium.
